EPYC 7473X vs Xeon Gold 6421N

CPU

GPU

EPYC 7473X

24 Cores48 Thrd240 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2022

EPYC family

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Xeon Gold 6421N

32 Cores64 Thrd185 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2023

Similar parts

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EPYC 7473X vs Xeon Gold 6421N Performance Spectrum

EPYC 7473X

24 / 48

59,280

+0.8%

Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370

Ryzen 9 5900X

Ryzen 9 5950X

Ryzen 9 9850HX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

Xeon Gold 6421N

32 / 64

58,797

0.0%

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 7473X vs Xeon Gold 6421N 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 7473X vs Xeon Gold 6421N: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 7473X

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅60% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 80) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.2 vs 24.8 PassMark/$ ($3,900 MSRP vs $2,368 MSRP).
❌29.7% higher power demand at 240W vs 185W.
❌Older platform position on SP3 with DDR4, while Xeon Gold 6421N moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon Gold 6421N

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,532 less on MSRP ($2,368 MSRP vs $3,900 MSRP).
✅Delivers 63.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.8 vs 15.2 PassMark/$ ($2,368 MSRP vs $3,900 MSRP).
✅Draws 185W instead of 240W, a 55W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of SP3 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 7473X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (58,797 vs 59,280).

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 7473X better than Xeon Gold 6421N?

Yes. EPYC 7473X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, EPYC 7473X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 768 MB versus 60 MB.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7473X is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 1180% larger total L3 cache (768 MB vs 60 MB).

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

EPYC 7473X is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon Gold 6421N is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. EPYC 7473X comes in 64.7% more expensive on MSRP at $3,900 MSRP versus $2,368 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon Gold 6421N is also 63.4% better value on MSRP (24.8 vs 15.2 PassMark/$), 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 6421N makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of SP3, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 7473X vs Xeon Gold 6421N Technical Specifications

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

EPYC 7473X

The EPYC 7473X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2022-03-01. It is based on the Milan-X (2022) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 768 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 240 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 59,280 points. Launch price was $3,900.

Xeon Gold 6421N

The Xeon Gold 6421N is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 60 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 185 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 58,797 points. Launch price was $2,368.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 7473X packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6421N offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the Xeon Gold 6421N has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 7473X versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6421N — a 2.7% clock advantage for the EPYC 7473X (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The EPYC 7473X uses the Milan-X (2022) architecture (7 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6421N uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7473X scores 59,280 against the Xeon Gold 6421N's 58,797 — a 0.8% lead for the EPYC 7473X. L3 cache: 768 MB (total) on the EPYC 7473X vs 60 MB on the Xeon Gold 6421N.

Feature	EPYC 7473X	Xeon Gold 6421N
Cores / Threads	24 / 48	32 / 64+33%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+3%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+56%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	768 MB (total)+1180%	60 MB
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+25500%	2 MB (per core)
Process	7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Milan-X (2022)	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark	59,280	58,797

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Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7473X uses the SP3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6421N uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the EPYC 7473X versus 4800 on the Xeon Gold 6421N — the Xeon Gold 6421N 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 7473X) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 6421N) — the EPYC 7473X offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7473X) and C741 (Xeon Gold 6421N).

Feature	EPYC 7473X	Xeon Gold 6421N
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. Only the Xeon Gold 6421N supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Direct competitor: EPYC 7473X rivals Xeon Platinum 8380; Xeon Gold 6421N rivals EPYC 9354.

Feature	EPYC 7473X	Xeon Gold 6421N
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 7473X was priced at $3900, while the Xeon Gold 6421N came in at $2368. On launch pricing ($3900 vs $2368), Xeon Gold 6421N was $1532 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7473X delivers 15.2 pts/$ vs 24.8 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6421N — making the Xeon Gold 6421N the 48.1% better value option.

Feature	EPYC 7473X	Xeon Gold 6421N
MSRP	$3900	$2368-39%
Performance per Dollar	15.2	24.8+63%
Release Date	2022	2023

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