EPYC 7601 vs Xeon Gold 6248R

AMD

EPYC 7601

32 Cores64 Thrd180 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2017
EPYC family
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VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 6248R

24 Cores48 Thrd205 WWMax: 4 GHz2020
Similar parts
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EPYC 7601 vs Xeon Gold 6248R 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 6248R 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 6248R: 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

  • +79% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).
  • Draws 180W instead of 205W, a 25W reduction.
  • 166.7% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 48) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6248R across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (35,059 vs 35,434).
  • No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Gold 6248R

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +8.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (36 MB vs 64 MB).
  • Launch MSRP is still $2,700 MSRP, while EPYC 7601 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6248R better than EPYC 7601?
Yes. Xeon Gold 6248R is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.1% 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 6248R is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.2% 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 6248R is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon Gold 6248R is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 6248R comes in at an unclear MSRP at $2,700 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (13.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 6248R makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017), more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 48 threads instead of 32/64, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

EPYC 7601 vs Xeon Gold 6248R 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 6248R

The Xeon Gold 6248R 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 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 35.75 MB. L2 cache: 24 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 35,434 points. Launch price was $2,700.

Processing Power

The EPYC 7601 packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6248R offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the EPYC 7601 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the EPYC 7601 versus 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6248R — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6248R (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3 GHz). The EPYC 7601 uses the Naples (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6248R uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7601 scores 35,059 against the Xeon Gold 6248R's 35,434 — a 1.1% lead for the Xeon Gold 6248R. L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 7601 vs 35.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6248R.

FeatureEPYC 7601Xeon Gold 6248R
Cores / Threads
32 / 64+33%
24 / 48
Boost Clock
3.2 GHz
4 GHz+25%
Base Clock
2.2 GHz
3 GHz+36%
L3 Cache
64 MB (total)+79%
35.75 MB
L2 Cache
512K (per core)+2033%
24 MB
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Naples (2017−2018)
Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark
35,059
35,434+1%
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Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7601 uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6248R uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2666 on the EPYC 7601 versus 2933 on the Xeon Gold 6248R — the Xeon Gold 6248R supports 10% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7601 supports up to 2048 of RAM compared to 1024 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (EPYC 7601) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 6248R). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7601) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 6248R) — the EPYC 7601 offers 80 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7601) and C621 (Xeon Gold 6248R).

FeatureEPYC 7601Xeon Gold 6248R
Socket
TR4
LGA3647
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
2666
2933+10%
Max RAM Capacity
2048+100%
1024
RAM Channels
8+33%
6
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
128+167%
48
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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon Gold 6248R 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 6248R). Direct competitor: EPYC 7601 rivals Xeon Platinum 8180; Xeon Gold 6248R rivals EPYC 7402.

FeatureEPYC 7601Xeon Gold 6248R
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
None
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
AMD-V, SVM
VT-x, VT-d