EPYC 7501 vs M3 Pro 11-Core

AMD

EPYC 7501

32 Cores64 Thrd155 WWMax: 3 GHz2017
EPYC family
·······
VS

M3 Pro 11-Core

11 Cores11 ThrdWMax: 4.06 GHz2023
Similar parts
·······

EPYC 7501 vs M3 Pro 11-Core 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 7501 vs M3 Pro 11-Core 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 7501 vs M3 Pro 11-Core: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 7501

2017

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +3.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 32 cores / 64 threads.

Trade-offs

  • Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while M3 Pro 11-Core moves to none and DDR5.

M3 Pro 11-Core

2023

Why buy it

  • Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 7501 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (24,861 vs 24,925).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7501, which brings 32 cores / 64 threads.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 7501 better than M3 Pro 11-Core?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 7501 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while M3 Pro 11-Core is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, EPYC 7501 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.7% 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, EPYC 7501 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
EPYC 7501 still makes the most sense overall. EPYC 7501 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
M3 Pro 11-Core makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2017) and a healthier platform with none and DDR5 instead of TR4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 7501 vs M3 Pro 11-Core Technical Specifications

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

AMD

EPYC 7501

The EPYC 7501 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 29 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Naples (2017−2018) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 170 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 24,925 points. Launch price was $3,400.

M3 Pro 11-Core

The M3 Pro 11-Core is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 30 October 2023 (2 years ago). It features 11 cores and 11 threads. Base frequency is 2.748 GHz, with boost up to 4.06 GHz. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 24,861 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The EPYC 7501 packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the M3 Pro 11-Core offers 11 cores / 11 threads — the EPYC 7501 has 21 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the EPYC 7501 versus 4.06 GHz on the M3 Pro 11-Core — a 30% clock advantage for the M3 Pro 11-Core (base: 2 GHz vs 2.748 GHz). The EPYC 7501 is built on the Naples (2017−2018) architecture. In PassMark, the EPYC 7501 scores 24,925 against the M3 Pro 11-Core's 24,861 — a 0.3% lead for the EPYC 7501.

FeatureEPYC 7501M3 Pro 11-Core
Cores / Threads
32 / 64+191%
11 / 11
Boost Clock
3 GHz
4.06 GHz+35%
Base Clock
2 GHz
2.748 GHz+37%
L3 Cache
64 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512K (per core)
Process
14 nm
3 nm-79%
Architecture
Naples (2017−2018)
PassMark
24,925
24,861
🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7501 uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the M3 Pro 11-Core uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureEPYC 7501M3 Pro 11-Core
Socket
TR4
none
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0