EPYC 74F3 vs Xeon Gold 6438Y+

CPU

GPU

EPYC 74F3

24 Cores48 Thrd240 WWMax: 4 GHz2021

EPYC family

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Xeon Gold 6438Y+

32 Cores64 Thrd205 WWMax: 4 GHz2023

Similar parts

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EPYC 74F3 vs Xeon Gold 6438Y+ 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 6438Y+

32 / 64

62,660

+3.3%

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 6438Y+ 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 6438Y+: 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

✅+326.7% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 60 MB).
✅Costs $1,694 less on MSRP ($913 MSRP vs $2,607 MSRP).
✅Delivers 176.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 66.4 vs 24.0 PassMark/$ ($913 MSRP vs $2,607 MSRP).
✅60% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 80) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6438Y+ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (60,666 vs 62,660).
❌17.1% higher power demand at 240W vs 205W.
❌Older platform position on SP3 with DDR4, while Xeon Gold 6438Y+ moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon Gold 6438Y+

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 205W instead of 240W, a 35W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of SP3 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (60 MB vs 256 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 24.0 vs 66.4 PassMark/$ ($2,607 MSRP vs $913 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6438Y+ better than EPYC 74F3?

Yes. Xeon Gold 6438Y+ is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 3.3% 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 6438Y+ is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.6% 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 6438Y+ is the stronger fit. You are getting 3.3% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 6438Y+ is still the faster CPU overall, but EPYC 74F3 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Gold 6438Y+ comes in 185.5% more expensive on MSRP at $2,607 MSRP versus $913 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. EPYC 74F3 is also 176.5% better value on MSRP (66.4 vs 24.0 PassMark/$), 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 6438Y+ 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 32 cores / 64 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 6438Y+ 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 6438Y+

The Xeon Gold 6438Y+ 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 2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 60 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 62,660 points. Launch price was $3,141.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 74F3 packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the EPYC 74F3 versus 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2 GHz). The EPYC 74F3 uses the Milan (2021−2023) architecture (7 nm+), while the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (10 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 74F3 scores 60,666 against the Xeon Gold 6438Y+'s 62,660 — a 3.2% lead for the Xeon Gold 6438Y+. L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 74F3 vs 60 MB on the Xeon Gold 6438Y+.

Feature	EPYC 74F3	Xeon Gold 6438Y+
Cores / Threads	24 / 48	32 / 64+33%
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+40%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	256 MB (total)+327%	60 MB
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+300%
Process	7 nm+-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Milan (2021−2023)	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark	60,666	62,660+3%

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Memory & Platform

The EPYC 74F3 uses the SP3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the EPYC 74F3 versus 4800 on the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ — the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ 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 74F3) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 6438Y+) — the EPYC 74F3 offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 74F3) and C741 (Xeon Gold 6438Y+).

Feature	EPYC 74F3	Xeon Gold 6438Y+
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

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Direct competitor: EPYC 74F3 rivals Xeon Platinum 8380; Xeon Gold 6438Y+ rivals EPYC 9354.

Feature	EPYC 74F3	Xeon Gold 6438Y+
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d

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Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 74F3 was priced at $913, while the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ came in at $2607. On launch pricing ($913 vs $2607), EPYC 74F3 was $1694 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 74F3 delivers 66.4 pts/$ vs 24.0 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ — making the EPYC 74F3 the 93.7% better value option.

Feature	EPYC 74F3	Xeon Gold 6438Y+
MSRP	$913-65%	$2607
Performance per Dollar	66.4+177%	24.0
Release Date	2021	2023

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