EPYC 7601 vs Xeon Gold 6238R

EPYC 7601 vs Xeon Gold 6238R Performance Spectrum

EPYC 7601

32 / 64

35,059

+0.9%

Ryzen 7 5800HS

Ryzen 7 3800XT

Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

Ryzen 9 8940HX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

Xeon Gold 6238R

28 / 56

34,751

0.0%

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 6238R 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 6238R: 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

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅+66.2% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 39 MB).
✅166.7% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 48) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Gold 6238R

2020

Why buy it

✅Draws 165W instead of 180W, a 15W reduction.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (34,751 vs 35,059).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (39 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $2,612 MSRP, while EPYC 7601 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6238R better than EPYC 7601?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Gold 6238R is ahead with a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7601 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. EPYC 7601 also has the bigger cache pool with 66.2% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 39 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7601 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 66.2% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 39 MB).

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

Xeon Gold 6238R is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 6238R comes in at an unclear MSRP at $2,612 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that EPYC 7601 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.9% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (13.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 6238R makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

EPYC 7601 vs Xeon Gold 6238R Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon Gold 6238R

The Xeon Gold 6238R is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 38.5 MB. L2 cache: 28 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 34,751 points. Launch price was $2,612.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 7601 packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6238R offers 28 cores / 56 threads — the EPYC 7601 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the EPYC 7601 versus 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6238R — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6238R (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The EPYC 7601 uses the Naples (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6238R uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7601 scores 35,059 against the Xeon Gold 6238R's 34,751 — a 0.9% lead for the EPYC 7601. L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 7601 vs 38.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6238R.

Feature	EPYC 7601	Xeon Gold 6238R
Cores / Threads	32 / 64+14%	28 / 56
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	4 GHz+25%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	64 MB (total)+66%	38.5 MB
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+1729%	28 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Naples (2017−2018)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	35,059	34,751
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	21,433

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Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7601 uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6238R uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2666 on the EPYC 7601 versus DDR4-2933 on the Xeon Gold 6238R — the Xeon Gold 6238R supports 10% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7601 supports up to 2048 TB of RAM compared to 1 TB — 204700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (EPYC 7601) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 6238R). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7601) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 6238R) — the EPYC 7601 offers 80 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7601) and C621,C622,C624,C627,C628 (Xeon Gold 6238R).

Feature	EPYC 7601	Xeon Gold 6238R
Socket	TR4	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	2666	DDR4-2933+10%
Max RAM Capacity	2048 TB+204700%	1 TB
RAM Channels	8+33%	6
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128+167%	48

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon Gold 6238R supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V, SVM (EPYC 7601) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon Gold 6238R). Primary use case: Xeon Gold 6238R targets Server. Direct competitor: EPYC 7601 rivals Xeon Platinum 8180; Xeon Gold 6238R rivals Xeon Gold 6248R.