EPYC 74F3 vs Xeon Gold 5520+

CPU

GPU

EPYC 74F3

24 Cores48 Thrd240 WWMax: 4 GHz2021

EPYC family

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Xeon Gold 5520+

28 Cores56 Thrd205 WWMax: 4 GHz2023

Similar parts

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EPYC 74F3 vs Xeon Gold 5520+ Performance Spectrum

EPYC 74F3

24 / 48

60,666

0.0%

Ryzen 9 5900

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen 9 PRO 7945

Ryzen 9 7940HX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

Xeon Gold 5520+

28 / 56

61,227

+0.9%

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 74F3 vs Xeon Gold 5520+ 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 74F3 vs Xeon Gold 5520+: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 74F3

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $170 less on MSRP ($913 MSRP vs $1,083 MSRP).
✅Delivers 17.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 66.4 vs 56.5 PassMark/$ ($913 MSRP vs $1,083 MSRP).
✅60% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 80) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (60,666 vs 61,227).
❌17.1% higher power demand at 240W vs 205W.
❌Older platform position on SP3 with DDR4, while Xeon Gold 5520+ moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon Gold 5520+

2023

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 205W instead of 240W, a 35W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of SP3 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 74F3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 56.5 vs 66.4 PassMark/$ ($1,083 MSRP vs $913 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 5520+ better than EPYC 74F3?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, EPYC 74F3 is ahead with a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 5520+ pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. EPYC 74F3 also has the bigger cache pool with 387.6% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 53 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 5520+ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 28 cores and 56 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 5520+ is still the faster CPU overall, but EPYC 74F3 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Gold 5520+ comes in 18.6% more expensive on MSRP at $1,083 MSRP versus $913 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that EPYC 74F3 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. EPYC 74F3 is also 17.5% better value on MSRP (66.4 vs 56.5 PassMark/$), 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 5520+ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of SP3, more multi-core headroom with 28 cores / 56 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 74F3 vs Xeon Gold 5520+ Technical Specifications

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

EPYC 74F3

The EPYC 74F3 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 15 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Milan (2021−2023) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm+ process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 240 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 60,666 points. Launch price was $2,900.

Xeon Gold 5520+

The Xeon Gold 5520+ 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 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 52.5 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 61,227 points. Launch price was $1,640.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 74F3 packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Xeon Gold 5520+ offers 28 cores / 56 threads — the Xeon Gold 5520+ has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the EPYC 74F3 versus 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5520+ — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The EPYC 74F3 uses the Milan (2021−2023) architecture (7 nm+), while the Xeon Gold 5520+ uses Emerald Rapids (2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 74F3 scores 60,666 against the Xeon Gold 5520+'s 61,227 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon Gold 5520+. L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 74F3 vs 52.5 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 5520+.

Feature	EPYC 74F3	Xeon Gold 5520+
Cores / Threads	24 / 48	28 / 56+17%
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+27%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	256 MB (total)+388%	52.5 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+300%
Process	7 nm+-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Milan (2021−2023)	Emerald Rapids (2023)
PassMark	60,666	61,227
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,600
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	25,000

🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 74F3 uses the SP3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 5520+ uses LGA4677 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the EPYC 74F3 versus DDR5-4800 on the Xeon Gold 5520+ — the Xeon Gold 5520+ 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 74F3) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 5520+) — the EPYC 74F3 offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 74F3) and C741 (Xeon Gold 5520+).

Feature	EPYC 74F3	Xeon Gold 5520+
Socket	SP3	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	3200	DDR5-4800+50%
Max RAM Capacity	4096 GB	4096 GB
RAM Channels	8	8
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128+60%	80

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon Gold 5520+ supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Primary use case: Xeon Gold 5520+ targets Enterprise Server. Direct competitor: EPYC 74F3 rivals Xeon Platinum 8380; Xeon Gold 5520+ rivals EPYC 9354.

Feature	EPYC 74F3	Xeon Gold 5520+
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Enterprise Server

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 74F3 was priced at $913, while the Xeon Gold 5520+ came in at $1083. On launch pricing ($913 vs $1083), EPYC 74F3 was $170 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 74F3 delivers 66.4 pts/$ vs 56.5 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 5520+ — making the EPYC 74F3 the 16.1% better value option.

Feature	EPYC 74F3	Xeon Gold 5520+
MSRP	$913-16%	$1083
Performance per Dollar	66.4+18%	56.5
Release Date	2021	2023

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