EPYC 7303P vs Xeon w5-2455X

AMD

EPYC 7303P

16 Cores32 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2023
EPYC family
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VS
Intel

Xeon w5-2455X

12 Cores24 Thrd200 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2023
Similar parts
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EPYC 7303P vs Xeon w5-2455X Performance Spectrum

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 w5-2455X 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 w5-2455X: 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

  • +113.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 30 MB).
  • Costs $445 less on MSRP ($594 MSRP vs $1,039 MSRP).
  • Delivers 72.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.4 vs 35.7 PassMark/$ ($594 MSRP vs $1,039 MSRP).
  • Draws 130W instead of 200W, a 70W reduction.
  • 100% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 64) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon w5-2455X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (36,487 vs 37,109).
  • Older platform position on SP3 with DDR4, while Xeon w5-2455X moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon w5-2455X

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +24.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of SP3 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 64 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 35.7 vs 61.4 PassMark/$ ($1,039 MSRP vs $594 MSRP).
  • 53.8% higher power demand at 200W vs 130W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon w5-2455X better than EPYC 7303P?
Yes. Xeon w5-2455X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 24.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.7% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Xeon w5-2455X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 24.6% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon w5-2455X is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon w5-2455X is still the faster CPU overall, but EPYC 7303P is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon w5-2455X comes in 74.9% more expensive on MSRP at $1,039 MSRP versus $594 MSRP, and it still gives you a 24.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. EPYC 7303P is also 72.0% better value on MSRP (61.4 vs 35.7 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon w5-2455X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of SP3 and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 16/32. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 7303P vs Xeon w5-2455X Technical Specifications

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

AMD

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.

Intel

Xeon w5-2455X

The Xeon w5-2455X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 February 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 200 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 37,109 points. Launch price was $1,039.

Processing Power

The EPYC 7303P packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon w5-2455X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the EPYC 7303P has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the EPYC 7303P versus 4.6 GHz on the Xeon w5-2455X — a 30% clock advantage for the Xeon w5-2455X (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The EPYC 7303P uses the Milan (2021−2023) architecture (7 nm), while the Xeon w5-2455X uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7303P scores 36,487 against the Xeon w5-2455X's 37,109 — a 1.7% lead for the Xeon w5-2455X. L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 7303P vs 30 MB on the Xeon w5-2455X.

FeatureEPYC 7303PXeon w5-2455X
Cores / Threads
16 / 32+33%
12 / 24
Boost Clock
3.4 GHz
4.6 GHz+35%
Base Clock
2.4 GHz
3.2 GHz+33%
L3 Cache
64 MB (total)+113%
30 MB
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)
2 MB (per core)+300%
Process
7 nm
Intel 7 nm
Architecture
Milan (2021−2023)
Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark
36,487
37,109+2%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7303P uses the SP3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon w5-2455X uses LGA4677 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the EPYC 7303P versus 4800 on the Xeon w5-2455X — the Xeon w5-2455X supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7303P supports up to 4096 of RAM compared to 2048 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (EPYC 7303P) vs 4 (Xeon w5-2455X). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7303P) vs 64 (Xeon w5-2455X) — the EPYC 7303P offers 64 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7303P) and W790 (Xeon w5-2455X).

FeatureEPYC 7303PXeon w5-2455X
Socket
SP3
LGA4677
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
3200
4800+50%
Max RAM Capacity
4096+100%
2048
RAM Channels
8+100%
4
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
128+100%
64
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Xeon w5-2455X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. 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 w5-2455X). Direct competitor: EPYC 7303P rivals Xeon Gold 6330; Xeon w5-2455X rivals Threadripper 7960X.

FeatureEPYC 7303PXeon w5-2455X
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
None
Unlocked
No
Yes
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 w5-2455X came in at $1039. On launch pricing ($594 vs $1039), EPYC 7303P was $445 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7303P delivers 61.4 pts/$ vs 35.7 pts/$ for the Xeon w5-2455X — making the EPYC 7303P the 52.9% better value option.

FeatureEPYC 7303PXeon w5-2455X
MSRP
$594-43%
$1039
Performance per Dollar
61.4+72%
35.7
Release Date
2023
2023

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