EPYC 7303P vs Xeon Gold 6242R

CPU

GPU

EPYC 7303P

16 Cores32 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2023

EPYC family

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Xeon Gold 6242R

20 Cores40 Thrd205 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2020

Similar parts

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EPYC 7303P vs Xeon Gold 6242R Performance Spectrum

EPYC 7303P

16 / 32

36,487

+1.3%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3995WX

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

Xeon Gold 6242R

20 / 40

36,011

0.0%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

EPYC 7303P vs Xeon Gold 6242R FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

EPYC 7303P vs Xeon Gold 6242R: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

EPYC 7303P

2023

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅+79% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).
✅Costs $2,383 less on MSRP ($594 MSRP vs $2,977 MSRP).
✅Delivers 407.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.4 vs 12.1 PassMark/$ ($594 MSRP vs $2,977 MSRP).
✅Draws 130W instead of 205W, a 75W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6242R across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Xeon Gold 6242R

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (36,011 vs 36,487).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (36 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.1 vs 61.4 PassMark/$ ($2,977 MSRP vs $594 MSRP).
❌57.7% higher power demand at 205W vs 130W.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 7303P better than Xeon Gold 6242R?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Gold 6242R is ahead with a 16.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7303P pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark. EPYC 7303P also has the bigger cache pool with 79% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7303P is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 79% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

EPYC 7303P is the better buy right now. EPYC 7303P comes in $2,383 cheaper on MSRP at $594 MSRP versus $2,977 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6242R is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 16.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 407.8% better value on MSRP (61.4 vs 12.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

EPYC 7303P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020), 79% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 20/40. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

EPYC 7303P vs Xeon Gold 6242R Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

EPYC 7303P

The EPYC 7303P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 September 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Milan (2021−2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 36,487 points. Launch price was $594.

Xeon Gold 6242R

The Xeon Gold 6242R is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 35.75 MB. L2 cache: 20 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 36,011 points. Launch price was $2,529.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 7303P packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6242R offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon Gold 6242R has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the EPYC 7303P versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6242R — a 18.7% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6242R (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The EPYC 7303P uses the Milan (2021−2023) architecture (7 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6242R uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7303P scores 36,487 against the Xeon Gold 6242R's 36,011 — a 1.3% lead for the EPYC 7303P. L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 7303P vs 35.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6242R.

Feature	EPYC 7303P	Xeon Gold 6242R
Cores / Threads	16 / 32	20 / 40+25%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	4.1 GHz+21%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3.1 GHz+29%
L3 Cache	64 MB (total)+79%	35.75 MB
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)	20 MB+3900%
Process	7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Milan (2021−2023)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	36,487+1%	36,011

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Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7303P uses the SP3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6242R uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the EPYC 7303P versus 2933 on the Xeon Gold 6242R — the EPYC 7303P supports 9.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7303P supports up to 4096 of RAM compared to 1024 — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (EPYC 7303P) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 6242R). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7303P) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 6242R) — the EPYC 7303P offers 80 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7303P) and C621 (Xeon Gold 6242R).

Feature	EPYC 7303P	Xeon Gold 6242R
Socket	SP3	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	3200+9%	2933
Max RAM Capacity	4096+300%	1024
RAM Channels	8+33%	6
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128+167%	48

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: AMD-V, IOMMU (EPYC 7303P) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6242R). Direct competitor: EPYC 7303P rivals Xeon Gold 6330; Xeon Gold 6242R rivals EPYC 7302.

Feature	EPYC 7303P	Xeon Gold 6242R
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	AMD-V, IOMMU	VT-x, VT-d

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 7303P was priced at $594, while the Xeon Gold 6242R came in at $2977. On launch pricing ($594 vs $2977), EPYC 7303P was $2383 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7303P delivers 61.4 pts/$ vs 12.1 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6242R — making the EPYC 7303P the 134.2% better value option.

Feature	EPYC 7303P	Xeon Gold 6242R
MSRP	$594-80%	$2977
Performance per Dollar	61.4+407%	12.1
Release Date	2023	2020

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