EPYC 7402 vs EPYC 7542

EPYC 7402 vs EPYC 7542 Performance Spectrum

EPYC 7402

24 / 48

46,012

+1.4%

Ryzen 7 5800

Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS

Ryzen 7 7700X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

EPYC 7542

32 / 64

45,359

0.0%

Ryzen 5 8600G

Ryzen 9 8945H

Ryzen AI 9 HX 370

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

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 7402 vs EPYC 7542 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 7402 vs EPYC 7542: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 7402

2019

Why buy it

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $1,617 less on MSRP ($1,783 MSRP vs $3,400 MSRP).
✅Delivers 93.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 25.8 vs 13.3 PassMark/$ ($1,783 MSRP vs $3,400 MSRP).
✅Draws 180W instead of 225W, a 45W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 7542 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

EPYC 7542

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (45,359 vs 46,012).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.3 vs 25.8 PassMark/$ ($3,400 MSRP vs $1,783 MSRP).
❌25% higher power demand at 225W vs 180W.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 7402 better than EPYC 7542?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, EPYC 7542 is ahead with a 14.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7402 pulls ahead with 1.4% better PassMark. EPYC 7542 also has the bigger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 32 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7402 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads.

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

EPYC 7402 is the better buy right now. EPYC 7402 comes in $1,617 cheaper on MSRP at $1,783 MSRP versus $3,400 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that EPYC 7542 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 14.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 93.4% better value on MSRP (25.8 vs 13.3 PassMark/$), 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 7542 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 3D V-Cache and a much larger 128 MB L3 cache instead of 32 MB and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra cache should keep paying off in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

EPYC 7402 vs EPYC 7542 Technical Specifications

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

EPYC 7402

The EPYC 7402 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.35 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm, 14 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 180 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 46,012 points. Launch price was $1,783.

EPYC 7542

The EPYC 7542 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 128 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 14 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 225 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 45,359 points. Launch price was $3,400.

⚡

Processing Power

The EPYC 7402 packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the EPYC 7542 offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the EPYC 7542 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.35 GHz on the EPYC 7402 versus 3.4 GHz on the EPYC 7542 — a 1.5% clock advantage for the EPYC 7542 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). Both are built on the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture using a 7 nm, 14 nm process. In PassMark, the EPYC 7402 scores 46,012 against the EPYC 7542's 45,359 — a 1.4% lead for the EPYC 7402. L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the EPYC 7402 vs 128 MB (total) on the EPYC 7542.

Feature	EPYC 7402	EPYC 7542
Cores / Threads	24 / 48	32 / 64+33%
Boost Clock	3.35 GHz	3.4 GHz+1%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	2.9 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	32 MB (total)	128 MB (total)+300%
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)	512K (per core)
Process	7 nm, 14 nm	7 nm, 14 nm
Architecture	Zen 2 (2017−2020)	Zen 2 (2017−2020)
PassMark	46,012+1%	45,359
Cinebench R23 Multi	28,546	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,299	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,622	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the SP3 socket with PCIe 4.0. Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. Both support up to 4096 GB of RAM. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 128 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: SP3,Rome (EPYC 7402) and SP3 (EPYC 7542).

Feature	EPYC 7402	EPYC 7542
Socket	SP3	SP3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	3200
Max RAM Capacity	4096 GB	4096 GB
RAM Channels	8	8
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128	128

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the EPYC 7542 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V, SEV, IOMMU (EPYC 7402) vs VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (EPYC 7542). Primary use case: EPYC 7402 targets Server / Workstation. Direct competitor: EPYC 7402 rivals Xeon Gold 6242; EPYC 7542 rivals Xeon Gold 6248R.

Feature	EPYC 7402	EPYC 7542
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	AMD-V, SEV, IOMMU	VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V
Target Use	Server / Workstation	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 7402 was priced at $1783, while the EPYC 7542 came in at $3400. On launch pricing ($1783 vs $3400), EPYC 7402 was $1617 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7402 delivers 25.8 pts/$ vs 13.3 pts/$ for the EPYC 7542 — making the EPYC 7402 the 63.7% better value option.

Feature	EPYC 7402	EPYC 7542
MSRP	$1783-48%	$3400
Performance per Dollar	25.8+94%	13.3
Release Date	2019	2019

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