EPYC 7642 vs Xeon Gold 5520+

CPU

GPU

EPYC 7642

48 Cores96 Thrd225 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2019

EPYC family

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Xeon Gold 5520+

28 Cores56 Thrd205 WWMax: 4 GHz2023

Similar parts

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EPYC 7642 vs Xeon Gold 5520+ Performance Spectrum

EPYC 7642

48 / 96

59,333

0.0%

Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370

Ryzen 9 5900X

Ryzen 9 5950X

Ryzen 9 9850HX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

Xeon Gold 5520+

28 / 56

61,227

+3.2%

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 7642 vs Xeon Gold 5520+ 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 7642 vs Xeon Gold 5520+: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 7642

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅60% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 80) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (59,333 vs 61,227).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.4 vs 56.5 PassMark/$ ($4,775 MSRP vs $1,083 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while Xeon Gold 5520+ moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon Gold 5520+

2023

Why buy it

✅+3.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $3,692 less on MSRP ($1,083 MSRP vs $4,775 MSRP).
✅Delivers 355.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 56.5 vs 12.4 PassMark/$ ($1,083 MSRP vs $4,775 MSRP).
✅Draws 205W instead of 225W, a 20W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 7642 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 5520+ better than EPYC 7642?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, EPYC 7642 is ahead with a 8.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 5520+ pulls ahead with 3.2% better PassMark. EPYC 7642 also has the bigger cache pool with 387.6% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 53 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 5520+ is the stronger fit. You are getting 3.2% better PassMark, backed by 28 cores and 56 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 5520+ is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 5520+ comes in $3,692 cheaper on MSRP at $1,083 MSRP versus $4,775 MSRP, and it still gives you 3.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that EPYC 7642 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 8.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 355.0% better value on MSRP (56.5 vs 12.4 PassMark/$), 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 5520+ 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 TR4, 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 7642 vs Xeon Gold 5520+ Technical Specifications

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

EPYC 7642

The EPYC 7642 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 14 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 225 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 59,333 points. Launch price was $4,775.

Xeon Gold 5520+

The Xeon Gold 5520+ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Emerald Rapids (2023) architecture. It features 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 52.5 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 61,227 points. Launch price was $1,640.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 7642 packs 48 cores / 96 threads, while the Xeon Gold 5520+ offers 28 cores / 56 threads — the EPYC 7642 has 20 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the EPYC 7642 versus 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5520+ — a 16.2% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 5520+ (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The EPYC 7642 uses the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture (7 nm, 14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 5520+ uses Emerald Rapids (2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7642 scores 59,333 against the Xeon Gold 5520+'s 61,227 — a 3.1% lead for the Xeon Gold 5520+. L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 7642 vs 52.5 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 5520+.

Feature	EPYC 7642	Xeon Gold 5520+
Cores / Threads	48 / 96+71%	28 / 56
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	4 GHz+18%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+9%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	256 MB (total)+388%	52.5 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+25500%	2 MB (per core)
Process	7 nm, 14 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Zen 2 (2017−2020)	Emerald Rapids (2023)
PassMark	59,333	61,227+3%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,600
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	25,000

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Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7642 uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 5520+ uses LGA4677 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the EPYC 7642 versus DDR5-4800 on the Xeon Gold 5520+ — the Xeon Gold 5520+ supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 4096 GB of RAM. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7642) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 5520+) — the EPYC 7642 offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7642) and C741 (Xeon Gold 5520+).

Feature	EPYC 7642	Xeon Gold 5520+
Socket	TR4	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	3200	DDR5-4800+50%
Max RAM Capacity	4096 GB	4096 GB
RAM Channels	8	8
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128+60%	80

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon Gold 5520+ supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Primary use case: Xeon Gold 5520+ targets Enterprise Server. Direct competitor: EPYC 7642 rivals Xeon Platinum 8380; Xeon Gold 5520+ rivals EPYC 9354.

Feature	EPYC 7642	Xeon Gold 5520+
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Enterprise Server

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 7642 was priced at $4775, while the Xeon Gold 5520+ came in at $1083. On launch pricing ($4775 vs $1083), Xeon Gold 5520+ was $3692 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7642 delivers 12.4 pts/$ vs 56.5 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 5520+ — making the Xeon Gold 5520+ the 127.9% better value option.

Feature	EPYC 7642	Xeon Gold 5520+
MSRP	$4775	$1083-77%
Performance per Dollar	12.4	56.5+356%
Release Date	2019	2023

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