EPYC 7601 vs Xeon Platinum 8268

EPYC 7601 vs Xeon Platinum 8268 Performance Spectrum

EPYC 7601

32 / 64

35,059

0.0%

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 Platinum 8268

24 / 48

35,081

+0.1%

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 Platinum 8268 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 Platinum 8268: 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 Platinum 8268 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (35,059 vs 35,081).
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Platinum 8268

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.0% 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 $6,302 MSRP, while EPYC 7601 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Platinum 8268 better than EPYC 7601?

Yes. Xeon Platinum 8268 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% 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 Platinum 8268 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.0% 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 Platinum 8268 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads.

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

Xeon Platinum 8268 is the better buy right now. Xeon Platinum 8268 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $6,302 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (5.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Platinum 8268 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 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 Platinum 8268 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 Platinum 8268

The Xeon Platinum 8268 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 December 2018 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake-SP (2018) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 35.75 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 35,081 points. Launch price was $6,302.

⚡

Processing Power

The EPYC 7601 packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Xeon Platinum 8268 offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the EPYC 7601 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the EPYC 7601 versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8268 — a 19.7% clock advantage for the Xeon Platinum 8268 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The EPYC 7601 uses the Naples (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Platinum 8268 uses Cascade Lake-SP (2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7601 scores 35,059 against the Xeon Platinum 8268's 35,081 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon Platinum 8268. L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 7601 vs 35.75 MB (total) on the Xeon Platinum 8268.

Feature	EPYC 7601	Xeon Platinum 8268
Cores / Threads	32 / 64+33%	24 / 48
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.9 GHz+22%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.9 GHz+32%
L3 Cache	64 MB (total)+79%	35.75 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+51100%	1 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Naples (2017−2018)	Cascade Lake-SP (2018)
PassMark	35,059	35,081
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	24,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,394
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	12,046

🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7601 uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Platinum 8268 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 Platinum 8268 — the Xeon Platinum 8268 supports 10% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7601 supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 1024 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (EPYC 7601) vs 6 (Xeon Platinum 8268). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7601) vs 48 (Xeon Platinum 8268) — the EPYC 7601 offers 80 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7601) and C621,Lewisburg (Xeon Platinum 8268).

Feature	EPYC 7601	Xeon Platinum 8268
Socket	TR4	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	2666	DDR4-2933+10%
Max RAM Capacity	2048 GB+100%	1024 GB
RAM Channels	8+33%	6
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128+167%	48

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon Platinum 8268 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 Platinum 8268). Primary use case: Xeon Platinum 8268 targets High-end Server. Direct competitor: EPYC 7601 rivals Xeon Platinum 8180; Xeon Platinum 8268 rivals EPYC 7452.