EPYC 7643P vs Xeon Max 9480

AMD

EPYC 7643P

48 Cores96 Thrd225 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2023
EPYC family
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VS
Intel

Xeon Max 9480

56 Cores112 Thrd350 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2023
Similar parts

EPYC 7643P vs Xeon Max 9480 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 7643P vs Xeon Max 9480 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 7643P vs Xeon Max 9480: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 7643P

2023

Why buy it

  • +127.6% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 113 MB).
  • Costs $10,258 less on MSRP ($2,722 MSRP vs $12,980 MSRP).
  • Delivers 344.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 28.4 vs 6.4 PassMark/$ ($2,722 MSRP vs $12,980 MSRP).
  • Draws 225W instead of 350W, a 125W reduction.
  • 60% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 80) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (77,307 vs 82,913).
  • Older platform position on SP3 with DDR4, while Xeon Max 9480 moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.
  • No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Max 9480

2023

Why buy it

  • +7.3% higher PassMark.
  • Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of SP3 and DDR4.
  • AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (113 MB vs 256 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.4 vs 28.4 PassMark/$ ($12,980 MSRP vs $2,722 MSRP).
  • 55.6% higher power demand at 350W vs 225W.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 7643P better than Xeon Max 9480?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, EPYC 7643P is ahead with a 2.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Max 9480 pulls ahead with 7.3% better PassMark. EPYC 7643P also has the bigger cache pool with 127.6% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 113 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Max 9480 is the stronger fit. You are getting 7.3% better PassMark, backed by 56 cores and 112 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
EPYC 7643P is the better buy right now. EPYC 7643P comes in $10,258 cheaper on MSRP at $2,722 MSRP versus $12,980 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Max 9480 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 7.3% better PassMark. It is also 344.6% better value on MSRP (28.4 vs 6.4 PassMark/$), 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 Max 9480 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of SP3, more multi-core headroom with 56 cores / 112 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 7643P vs Xeon Max 9480 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

EPYC 7643P

The EPYC 7643P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 September 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Milan (2021−2023) architecture. It features 48 cores and 96 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 225 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 77,307 points. Launch price was $2,722.

Intel

Xeon Max 9480

The Xeon Max 9480 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids HBM (2023) architecture. It features 56 cores and 112 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 112.5 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 350 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 82,913 points. Launch price was $12,980.

Processing Power

The EPYC 7643P packs 48 cores / 96 threads, while the Xeon Max 9480 offers 56 cores / 112 threads — the Xeon Max 9480 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the EPYC 7643P versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Max 9480 — a 2.8% clock advantage for the EPYC 7643P (base: 2.3 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The EPYC 7643P uses the Milan (2021−2023) architecture (7 nm), while the Xeon Max 9480 uses Sapphire Rapids HBM (2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7643P scores 77,307 against the Xeon Max 9480's 82,913 — a 7% lead for the Xeon Max 9480. L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 7643P vs 112.5 MB on the Xeon Max 9480.

FeatureEPYC 7643PXeon Max 9480
Cores / Threads
48 / 96
56 / 112+17%
Boost Clock
3.6 GHz+3%
3.5 GHz
Base Clock
2.3 GHz+21%
1.9 GHz
L3 Cache
256 MB (total)+128%
112.5 MB
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)
2 MB (per core)+300%
Process
7 nm-30%
10 nm
Architecture
Milan (2021−2023)
Sapphire Rapids HBM (2023)
PassMark
77,307
82,913+7%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,900
Geekbench 6 Multi
55,000
🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7643P uses the SP3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Max 9480 uses LGA4677 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the EPYC 7643P versus DDR5-4800 on the Xeon Max 9480 — the Xeon Max 9480 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 7643P) vs 80 (Xeon Max 9480) — the EPYC 7643P offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7643P) and C741 (Xeon Max 9480).

FeatureEPYC 7643PXeon Max 9480
Socket
SP3
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 Max 9480 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, SEV (EPYC 7643P) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Max 9480). Primary use case: Xeon Max 9480 targets HPC Server. Direct competitor: EPYC 7643P rivals Xeon Platinum 8380; Xeon Max 9480 rivals EPYC 9684X.

FeatureEPYC 7643PXeon Max 9480
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
None
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, SEV
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
HPC Server
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 7643P was priced at $2722, while the Xeon Max 9480 came in at $12980. On launch pricing ($2722 vs $12980), EPYC 7643P was $10258 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7643P delivers 28.4 pts/$ vs 6.4 pts/$ for the Xeon Max 9480 — making the EPYC 7643P the 126.6% better value option.

FeatureEPYC 7643PXeon Max 9480
MSRP
$2722-79%
$12980
Performance per Dollar
28.4+344%
6.4
Release Date
2023
2023

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