EPYC 7402P vs Xeon Gold 6538N

CPU

GPU

EPYC 7402P

24 Cores48 Thrd180 WWMax: 3.35 GHz2019

EPYC family

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Xeon Gold 6538N

32 Cores64 Thrd205 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2023

Similar parts

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EPYC 7402P vs Xeon Gold 6538N Performance Spectrum

EPYC 7402P

24 / 48

43,759

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

Xeon Gold 6538N

32 / 64

44,895

+2.6%

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 7402P vs Xeon Gold 6538N 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 7402P vs Xeon Gold 6538N: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 7402P

2019

Why buy it

✅+113.3% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 60 MB).
✅Costs $2,071 less on MSRP ($1,280 MSRP vs $3,351 MSRP).
✅Delivers 155.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 34.2 vs 13.4 PassMark/$ ($1,280 MSRP vs $3,351 MSRP).
✅Draws 180W instead of 205W, a 25W reduction.
✅60% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 80) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6538N across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (43,759 vs 44,895).
❌Older platform position on SP3 with DDR4, while Xeon Gold 6538N moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon Gold 6538N

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.5% 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 (60 MB vs 128 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.4 vs 34.2 PassMark/$ ($3,351 MSRP vs $1,280 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6538N better than EPYC 7402P?

Yes. Xeon Gold 6538N is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2.6% 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 Gold 6538N is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.5% 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 Gold 6538N is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.6% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 6538N is still the faster CPU overall, but EPYC 7402P is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Gold 6538N comes in 161.8% more expensive on MSRP at $3,351 MSRP versus $1,280 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. EPYC 7402P is also 155.2% better value on MSRP (34.2 vs 13.4 PassMark/$), 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 Gold 6538N makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2019), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of SP3, and more multi-core headroom with 32 cores / 64 threads instead of 24/48. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 7402P vs Xeon Gold 6538N Technical Specifications

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

EPYC 7402P

The EPYC 7402P 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: 128 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: 43,759 points. Launch price was $1,250.

Xeon Gold 6538N

The Xeon Gold 6538N is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Emerald Rapids (2023) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 60 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 44,895 points. Launch price was $3,351.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 7402P packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6538N offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the Xeon Gold 6538N has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.35 GHz on the EPYC 7402P versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6538N — a 20.1% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6538N (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The EPYC 7402P uses the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture (7 nm, 14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6538N uses Emerald Rapids (2023) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7402P scores 43,759 against the Xeon Gold 6538N's 44,895 — a 2.6% lead for the Xeon Gold 6538N. L3 cache: 128 MB (total) on the EPYC 7402P vs 60 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6538N.

Feature	EPYC 7402P	Xeon Gold 6538N
Cores / Threads	24 / 48	32 / 64+33%
Boost Clock	3.35 GHz	4.1 GHz+22%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+33%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	128 MB (total)+113%	60 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+300%
Process	7 nm, 14 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Zen 2 (2017−2020)	Emerald Rapids (2023)
PassMark	43,759	44,895+3%

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Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7402P uses the SP3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6538N uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the EPYC 7402P versus 4800 on the Xeon Gold 6538N — the Xeon Gold 6538N supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 4096 of RAM. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7402P) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 6538N) — the EPYC 7402P offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7402P) and C741 (Xeon Gold 6538N).

Feature	EPYC 7402P	Xeon Gold 6538N
Socket	SP3	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	3200	4800+50%
Max RAM Capacity	4096	4096
RAM Channels	8	8
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128+60%	80

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (EPYC 7402P) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6538N). Direct competitor: EPYC 7402P rivals Xeon Gold 6248; Xeon Gold 6538N rivals EPYC 9334.

Feature	EPYC 7402P	Xeon Gold 6538N
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V	VT-x, VT-d

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 7402P was priced at $1280, while the Xeon Gold 6538N came in at $3351. On launch pricing ($1280 vs $3351), EPYC 7402P was $2071 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7402P delivers 34.2 pts/$ vs 13.4 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6538N — making the EPYC 7402P the 87.4% better value option.

Feature	EPYC 7402P	Xeon Gold 6538N
MSRP	$1280-62%	$3351
Performance per Dollar	34.2+155%	13.4
Release Date	2019	2023

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