EPYC 7402 vs Xeon w5-2555X

AMD

EPYC 7402

24 Cores48 Thrd180 WWMax: 3.35 GHz2019
EPYC family
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VS
Intel

Xeon w5-2555X

14 Cores28 Thrd252 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2024
Similar parts
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EPYC 7402 vs Xeon w5-2555X 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 7402 vs Xeon w5-2555X 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 Xeon w5-2555X: 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

  • Draws 180W instead of 252W, a 72W reduction.
  • 14.3% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 112) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon w5-2555X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (46,012 vs 47,638).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 25.8 vs 44.6 PassMark/$ ($1,783 MSRP vs $1,069 MSRP).
  • Older platform position on SP3 with DDR4, while Xeon w5-2555X moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon w5-2555X

2024

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +35.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $714 less on MSRP ($1,069 MSRP vs $1,783 MSRP).
  • Delivers 72.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 44.6 vs 25.8 PassMark/$ ($1,069 MSRP vs $1,783 MSRP).
  • Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of SP3 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • 40% higher power demand at 252W vs 180W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon w5-2555X better than EPYC 7402?
Yes. Xeon w5-2555X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 35.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 3.5% 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 w5-2555X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 35.5% 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 w5-2555X is the stronger fit. You are getting 3.5% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 28 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon w5-2555X is the better buy right now. Xeon w5-2555X comes in $714 cheaper on MSRP at $1,069 MSRP versus $1,783 MSRP, and it still gives you a 35.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 72.7% better value on MSRP (44.6 vs 25.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon w5-2555X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2019), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of SP3, more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 28 threads instead of 24/48, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 7402 vs Xeon w5-2555X Technical Specifications

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

AMD

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.

Intel

Xeon w5-2555X

The Xeon w5-2555X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 33.75 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 252 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 47,638 points. Launch price was $800.

Processing Power

The EPYC 7402 packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Xeon w5-2555X offers 14 cores / 28 threads — the EPYC 7402 has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.35 GHz on the EPYC 7402 versus 4.8 GHz on the Xeon w5-2555X — a 35.6% clock advantage for the Xeon w5-2555X (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The EPYC 7402 is built on the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture. In PassMark, the EPYC 7402 scores 46,012 against the Xeon w5-2555X's 47,638 — a 3.5% lead for the Xeon w5-2555X. L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the EPYC 7402 vs 33.75 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon w5-2555X.

FeatureEPYC 7402Xeon w5-2555X
Cores / Threads
24 / 48+71%
14 / 28
Boost Clock
3.35 GHz
4.8 GHz+43%
Base Clock
2.8 GHz
3.3 GHz+18%
L3 Cache
32 MB (total)
33.75 MB Intel® Smart Cache+5%
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)
Process
7 nm, 14 nm
Intel 7 nm
Architecture
Zen 2 (2017−2020)
PassMark
46,012
47,638+4%
Cinebench R23 Multi
28,546
Geekbench 6 Single
1,299
Geekbench 6 Multi
12,622
🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7402 uses the SP3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon w5-2555X uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the EPYC 7402 versus 4800 on the Xeon w5-2555X — the Xeon w5-2555X supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 4096 GB of RAM. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7402) vs 112 (Xeon w5-2555X) — the EPYC 7402 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3,Rome (EPYC 7402) and W790 (Xeon w5-2555X).

FeatureEPYC 7402Xeon w5-2555X
Socket
SP3
LGA4677
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
4800+50%
Max RAM Capacity
4096 GB
4096 GB
RAM Channels
8
8
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
128+14%
112
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Xeon w5-2555X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Xeon w5-2555X supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V, SEV, IOMMU (EPYC 7402) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon w5-2555X). Primary use case: EPYC 7402 targets Server / Workstation. Direct competitor: EPYC 7402 rivals Xeon Gold 6242; Xeon w5-2555X rivals Threadripper PRO 7965WX.

FeatureEPYC 7402Xeon w5-2555X
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
AMD-V, SEV, IOMMU
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Server / Workstation
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 7402 was priced at $1783, while the Xeon w5-2555X came in at $1069. On launch pricing ($1783 vs $1069), Xeon w5-2555X was $714 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7402 delivers 25.8 pts/$ vs 44.6 pts/$ for the Xeon w5-2555X — making the Xeon w5-2555X the 53.3% better value option.

FeatureEPYC 7402Xeon w5-2555X
MSRP
$1783
$1069-40%
Performance per Dollar
25.8
44.6+73%
Release Date
2019
2024

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