EPYC 7452 vs EPYC 7542

AMD

EPYC 7452

32 Cores64 Thrd155 WWMax: 3.35 GHz2019
EPYC family
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VS
AMD

EPYC 7542

32 Cores64 Thrd225 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2019
EPYC family
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EPYC 7452 vs EPYC 7542 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 7452 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 7452 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 7452

2019

Why buy it

  • +0.9% higher PassMark.
  • Costs $1,375 less on MSRP ($2,025 MSRP vs $3,400 MSRP).
  • Delivers 69.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 22.6 vs 13.3 PassMark/$ ($2,025 MSRP vs $3,400 MSRP).
  • Draws 155W instead of 225W, a 70W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

EPYC 7542

2019

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Lower PassMark (45,359 vs 45,764).
    • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.3 vs 22.6 PassMark/$ ($3,400 MSRP vs $2,025 MSRP).
    • 45.2% higher power demand at 225W vs 155W.

    Quick Answers

    So, is EPYC 7452 better than EPYC 7542?
    It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, EPYC 7542 is ahead with a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7452 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7452 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    EPYC 7452 is the better buy right now. EPYC 7452 comes in $1,375 cheaper on MSRP at $2,025 MSRP versus $3,400 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that EPYC 7542 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 69.4% better value on MSRP (22.6 vs 13.3 PassMark/$), 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 7452 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 32 cores / 64 threads instead of 32/64. That extra cache should keep paying off in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

    EPYC 7452 vs EPYC 7542 Technical Specifications

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

    AMD

    EPYC 7452

    The EPYC 7452 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.35 GHz. L3 cache: 128 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 14 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 155 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 45,764 points. Launch price was $2,025.

    AMD

    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

    Both the EPYC 7452 and EPYC 7542 share an identical 32-core/64-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.35 GHz on the EPYC 7452 versus 3.4 GHz on the EPYC 7542 — a 1.5% clock advantage for the EPYC 7542 (base: 2.2 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 7452 scores 45,764 against the EPYC 7542's 45,359 — a 0.9% lead for the EPYC 7452. Both processors carry 128 MB (total) of L3 cache.

    FeatureEPYC 7452EPYC 7542
    Cores / Threads
    32 / 64
    32 / 64
    Boost Clock
    3.35 GHz
    3.4 GHz+1%
    Base Clock
    2.2 GHz
    2.9 GHz+32%
    L3 Cache
    128 MB (total)
    128 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    512K (per core)
    512K (per core)
    Process
    7 nm, 14 nm
    7 nm, 14 nm
    Architecture
    Zen 2 (2017−2020)
    Zen 2 (2017−2020)
    PassMark
    45,764
    45,359
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The EPYC 7452 uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the EPYC 7542 uses SP3 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to 3200 memory speed. Both support up to 4096 of RAM. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 128 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7452) and SP3 (EPYC 7542).

    FeatureEPYC 7452EPYC 7542
    Socket
    TR4
    SP3
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 4.0
    PCIe 4.0
    Max RAM Speed
    3200
    3200
    Max RAM Capacity
    4096
    4096
    RAM Channels
    8
    8
    ECC Support
    Yes
    Yes
    PCIe Lanes
    128
    128
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V virtualization. Direct competitor: EPYC 7452 rivals Xeon Gold 6248R; EPYC 7542 rivals Xeon Gold 6248R.

    FeatureEPYC 7452EPYC 7542
    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, AMD-V
    💰

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the EPYC 7452 was priced at $2025, while the EPYC 7542 came in at $3400. On launch pricing ($2025 vs $3400), EPYC 7452 was $1375 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7452 delivers 22.6 pts/$ vs 13.3 pts/$ for the EPYC 7542 — making the EPYC 7452 the 51.5% better value option.

    FeatureEPYC 7452EPYC 7542
    MSRP
    $2025-40%
    $3400
    Performance per Dollar
    22.6+70%
    13.3
    Release Date
    2019
    2019

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