EPYC 7551P vs M4 Max (14 cores)

EPYC 7551P vs M4 Max (14 cores) Performance Spectrum

EPYC 7551P

32 / 64

38,111

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

M4 Max (14 cores)

14 / 14

38,558

+1.2%

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 7551P vs M4 Max (14 cores) 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 7551P vs M4 Max (14 cores): Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 7551P

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 32 cores / 64 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (38,111 vs 38,558).
❌Launch MSRP is still $2,100 MSRP, while M4 Max (14 cores) mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌4400% higher power demand at 180W vs 4W.
❌Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while M4 Max (14 cores) moves to none and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while M4 Max (14 cores) can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

M4 Max (14 cores)

2024

Why buy it

✅Draws 4W instead of 180W, a 176W reduction.
✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Apple M4 Max GPU (32-core), while EPYC 7551P needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7551P, which brings 32 cores / 64 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Quick Answers

So, is M4 Max (14 cores) better than EPYC 7551P?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 7551P makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while M4 Max (14 cores) is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, M4 Max (14 cores) is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.6% 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, M4 Max (14 cores) is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 14 threads.

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

M4 Max (14 cores) is still the faster CPU overall, but EPYC 7551P is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. M4 Max (14 cores) comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $2,100 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. EPYC 7551P is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (18.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

M4 Max (14 cores) makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2017), a healthier platform with none and DDR5 instead of TR4, and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 14 threads instead of 32/64. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 7551P vs M4 Max (14 cores) Technical Specifications

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

EPYC 7551P

The EPYC 7551P 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): 180 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 38,111 points. Launch price was $2,100.

M4 Max (14 cores)

The M4 Max (14 cores) is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 30 November 2024 (1 year ago). It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 2.59 GHz, with boost up to 4.51 GHz. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5X. Passmark benchmark score: 38,558 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 7551P packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the M4 Max (14 cores) offers 14 cores / 14 threads — the EPYC 7551P has 18 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the EPYC 7551P versus 4.51 GHz on the M4 Max (14 cores) — a 40.2% clock advantage for the M4 Max (14 cores) (base: 2 GHz vs 2.59 GHz). The EPYC 7551P is built on the Naples (2017−2018) architecture. In PassMark, the EPYC 7551P scores 38,111 against the M4 Max (14 cores)'s 38,558 — a 1.2% lead for the M4 Max (14 cores).

Feature	EPYC 7551P	M4 Max (14 cores)
Cores / Threads	32 / 64+129%	14 / 14
Boost Clock	3 GHz	4.51 GHz+50%
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.59 GHz+29%
L3 Cache	64 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	—
Process	14 nm	3 nm-79%
Architecture	Naples (2017−2018)	—
PassMark	38,111	38,558+1%

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Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7551P uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the M4 Max (14 cores) uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2666 on the EPYC 7551P versus 8533 on the M4 Max (14 cores) — the M4 Max (14 cores) supports 220.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7551P supports up to 2048 of RAM compared to 128 — 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (EPYC 7551P) vs 0 (M4 Max (14 cores)). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7551P) vs 0 (M4 Max (14 cores)) — the EPYC 7551P offers 128 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7551P) and Apple M4 (M4 Max (14 cores)).

Feature	EPYC 7551P	M4 Max (14 cores)
Socket	TR4	none
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	2666	8533+220%
Max RAM Capacity	2048+1500%	128
RAM Channels	8	0
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	128	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the EPYC 7551P supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V, IOMMU (EPYC 7551P) vs VT-x, VT-d (macOS) (M4 Max (14 cores)). The M4 Max (14 cores) includes integrated graphics (Apple M4 Max GPU (32-core)), while the EPYC 7551P requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: EPYC 7551P rivals Xeon Platinum 8160; M4 Max (14 cores) rivals Ryzen AI Max PRO 390.