EPYC 7601 vs Xeon Gold 5416S

AMD

EPYC 7601

32 Cores64 Thrd180 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2017
EPYC family
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VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 5416S

16 Cores32 Thrd150 WWMax: 4 GHz2023
Similar parts
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EPYC 7601 vs Xeon Gold 5416S 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 7601 vs Xeon Gold 5416S 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 7601 vs Xeon Gold 5416S: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 7601

2017

Why buy it

  • +113.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 30 MB).
  • 60% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 80) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 5416S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (35,059 vs 35,515).
  • 20% higher power demand at 180W vs 150W.
  • Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while Xeon Gold 5416S moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon Gold 5416S

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +5.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 150W instead of 180W, a 30W reduction.
  • Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 64 MB).
  • Launch MSRP is still $1,445 MSRP, while EPYC 7601 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 5416S better than EPYC 7601?
Yes. Xeon Gold 5416S is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.3% 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 5416S is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.4% 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 5416S is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon Gold 5416S is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 5416S comes in at an unclear MSRP at $1,445 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (24.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 5416S makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2017), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of TR4, more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 32/64, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 7601 vs Xeon Gold 5416S Technical Specifications

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

AMD

EPYC 7601

The EPYC 7601 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 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: 35,059 points. Launch price was $4,200.

Intel

Xeon Gold 5416S

The Xeon Gold 5416S 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 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 35,515 points. Launch price was $944.

Processing Power

The EPYC 7601 packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Xeon Gold 5416S offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the EPYC 7601 has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the EPYC 7601 versus 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5416S — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 5416S (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The EPYC 7601 uses the Naples (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 5416S uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7601 scores 35,059 against the Xeon Gold 5416S's 35,515 — a 1.3% lead for the Xeon Gold 5416S. L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 7601 vs 30 MB on the Xeon Gold 5416S.

FeatureEPYC 7601Xeon Gold 5416S
Cores / Threads
32 / 64+100%
16 / 32
Boost Clock
3.2 GHz
4 GHz+25%
Base Clock
2.2 GHz+10%
2 GHz
L3 Cache
64 MB (total)+113%
30 MB
L2 Cache
512K (per core)+25500%
2 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture
Naples (2017−2018)
Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark
35,059
35,515+1%
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Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7601 uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 5416S uses LGA4677 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2666 on the EPYC 7601 versus 4400 on the Xeon Gold 5416S — the Xeon Gold 5416S supports 65% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 5416S supports up to 4096 of RAM compared to 2048 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7601) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 5416S) — the EPYC 7601 offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7601) and LGA4677 (Xeon Gold 5416S).

FeatureEPYC 7601Xeon Gold 5416S
Socket
TR4
LGA4677
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
2666
4400+65%
Max RAM Capacity
2048
4096+100%
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 5416S supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V, SVM (EPYC 7601) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 5416S). Direct competitor: EPYC 7601 rivals Xeon Platinum 8180; Xeon Gold 5416S rivals EPYC 8124P.

FeatureEPYC 7601Xeon Gold 5416S
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
None
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
AMD-V, SVM
VT-x, VT-d