EPYC 7663 vs Xeon Max 9480

CPU

GPU

EPYC 7663

56 Cores112 Thrd240 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2021

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Xeon Max 9480

56 Cores112 Thrd350 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2023

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EPYC 7663 vs Xeon Max 9480 Performance Spectrum

EPYC 7663

56 / 112

82,120

0.0%

Ryzen 9 5950X

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen 9 9950X3D

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

Ryzen Threadripper 7980X

Xeon Max 9480

56 / 112

82,913

+1.0%

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 7663 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 7663 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 7663

2021

Why buy it

✅+127.6% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 113 MB).
✅Costs $6,614 less on MSRP ($6,366 MSRP vs $12,980 MSRP).
✅Delivers 101.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 12.9 vs 6.4 PassMark/$ ($6,366 MSRP vs $12,980 MSRP).
✅Draws 240W instead of 350W, a 110W reduction.
✅60% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 80) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Max 9480 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (12,380 vs 55,000).
❌Older platform position on SP3 with DDR4, while Xeon Max 9480 moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon Max 9480

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅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 12.9 PassMark/$ ($12,980 MSRP vs $6,366 MSRP).
❌45.8% higher power demand at 350W vs 240W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Max 9480 better than EPYC 7663?

Yes. Xeon Max 9480 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 344.3% better Geekbench multi-core, 1.0% higher 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 Max 9480 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.4% 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 Max 9480 is the stronger fit. You are getting 344.3% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 56 cores and 112 threads.

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

Xeon Max 9480 is still the faster CPU overall, but EPYC 7663 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Max 9480 comes in 103.9% more expensive on MSRP at $12,980 MSRP versus $6,366 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. EPYC 7663 is also 101.9% better value on MSRP (12.9 vs 6.4 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds 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 newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of SP3, more multi-core headroom with 56 cores / 112 threads instead of 56/112, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 7663 vs Xeon Max 9480 Technical Specifications

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

EPYC 7663

The EPYC 7663 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 15 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Milan (2021−2023) architecture. It features 56 cores and 112 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm+ process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 240 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 82,120 points. Launch price was $6,366.

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

Both the EPYC 7663 and Xeon Max 9480 share an identical 56-core/112-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the EPYC 7663 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Max 9480 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The EPYC 7663 uses the Milan (2021−2023) architecture (7 nm+), while the Xeon Max 9480 uses Sapphire Rapids HBM (2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7663 scores 82,120 against the Xeon Max 9480's 82,913 — a 1% lead for the Xeon Max 9480. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,370 vs 1,900, a 32.4% lead for the Xeon Max 9480 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,380 vs 55,000 (126.5% advantage for the Xeon Max 9480). L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 7663 vs 112.5 MB on the Xeon Max 9480.

Feature	EPYC 7663	Xeon Max 9480
Cores / Threads	56 / 112	56 / 112
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	2 GHz+5%	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	82,120	82,913
Geekbench 6 Single	1,370	1,900+39%
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,380	55,000+344%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7663 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 DDR4-3200 on the EPYC 7663 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 7663) vs 80 (Xeon Max 9480) — the EPYC 7663 offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7663) and C741 (Xeon Max 9480).

Feature	EPYC 7663	Xeon Max 9480
Socket	SP3	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	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: AMD-V (EPYC 7663) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Max 9480). Primary use case: EPYC 7663 targets Server, Xeon Max 9480 targets HPC Server. Direct competitor: EPYC 7663 rivals Xeon Platinum 8380; Xeon Max 9480 rivals EPYC 9684X.

Feature	EPYC 7663	Xeon Max 9480
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	AMD-V	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Server	HPC Server

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 7663 was priced at $6366, while the Xeon Max 9480 came in at $12980. On launch pricing ($6366 vs $12980), EPYC 7663 was $6614 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7663 delivers 12.9 pts/$ vs 6.4 pts/$ for the Xeon Max 9480 — making the EPYC 7663 the 67.5% better value option.

Feature	EPYC 7663	Xeon Max 9480
MSRP	$6366-51%	$12980
Performance per Dollar	12.9+102%	6.4
Release Date	2021	2023

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