EPYC 7552 vs Xeon Gold 5420+

CPU

GPU

EPYC 7552

48 Cores96 Thrd200 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2019

EPYC family

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Xeon Gold 5420+

28 Cores56 Thrd205 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2023

Similar parts

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EPYC 7552 vs Xeon Gold 5420+ Performance Spectrum

EPYC 7552

48 / 96

57,414

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX

Ryzen 7 9700X

Ryzen 9 5900XT

Ryzen 9 7900X3D

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

Xeon Gold 5420+

28 / 56

58,209

+1.4%

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 7552 vs Xeon Gold 5420+ 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 7552 vs Xeon Gold 5420+: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 7552

2019

Why buy it

✅+265.7% larger total L3 cache (192 MB vs 53 MB).
✅Draws 200W instead of 205W, a 5W reduction.
✅60% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 80) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 5420+ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (57,414 vs 58,209).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.3 vs 31.5 PassMark/$ ($4,025 MSRP vs $1,848 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on SP3 with DDR4, while Xeon Gold 5420+ moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon Gold 5420+

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +17.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $2,177 less on MSRP ($1,848 MSRP vs $4,025 MSRP).
✅Delivers 120.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 31.5 vs 14.3 PassMark/$ ($1,848 MSRP vs $4,025 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of SP3 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (53 MB vs 192 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 5420+ better than EPYC 7552?

Yes. Xeon Gold 5420+ is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 17.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.4% 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 5420+ is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 17.3% 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 5420+ is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 28 cores and 56 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 5420+ is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 5420+ comes in $2,177 cheaper on MSRP at $1,848 MSRP versus $4,025 MSRP, and it still gives you a 17.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 120.8% better value on MSRP (31.5 vs 14.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon Gold 5420+ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2019), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of SP3, more multi-core headroom with 28 cores / 56 threads instead of 48/96, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 7552 vs Xeon Gold 5420+ Technical Specifications

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

EPYC 7552

The EPYC 7552 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture. It features 48 cores and 96 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 192 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm, 14 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 200 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 57,414 points. Launch price was $4,025.

Xeon Gold 5420+

The Xeon Gold 5420+ 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 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 52.5 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 58,209 points. Launch price was $1,848.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 7552 packs 48 cores / 96 threads, while the Xeon Gold 5420+ offers 28 cores / 56 threads — the EPYC 7552 has 20 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the EPYC 7552 versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5420+ — a 21.6% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 5420+ (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The EPYC 7552 uses the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture (7 nm, 14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 5420+ uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (10 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7552 scores 57,414 against the Xeon Gold 5420+'s 58,209 — a 1.4% lead for the Xeon Gold 5420+. L3 cache: 192 MB (total) on the EPYC 7552 vs 52.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 5420+.

Feature	EPYC 7552	Xeon Gold 5420+
Cores / Threads	48 / 96+71%	28 / 56
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	4.1 GHz+24%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz+10%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	192 MB (total)+266%	52.5 MB
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+300%
Process	7 nm, 14 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Zen 2 (2017−2020)	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark	57,414	58,209+1%

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Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7552 uses the SP3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 5420+ uses LGA4677 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the EPYC 7552 versus 4800 on the Xeon Gold 5420+ — the Xeon Gold 5420+ 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 7552) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 5420+) — the EPYC 7552 offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7552) and C741 (Xeon Gold 5420+).

Feature	EPYC 7552	Xeon Gold 5420+
Socket	SP3	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
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 5420+ supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Direct competitor: EPYC 7552 rivals Xeon Platinum 8362; Xeon Gold 5420+ rivals EPYC 9354.

Feature	EPYC 7552	Xeon Gold 5420+
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 7552 was priced at $4025, while the Xeon Gold 5420+ came in at $1848. On launch pricing ($4025 vs $1848), Xeon Gold 5420+ was $2177 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7552 delivers 14.3 pts/$ vs 31.5 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 5420+ — making the Xeon Gold 5420+ the 75.3% better value option.

Feature	EPYC 7552	Xeon Gold 5420+
MSRP	$4025	$1848-54%
Performance per Dollar	14.3	31.5+120%
Release Date	2019	2023

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