EPYC 7742 vs Xeon Gold 6548Y+
EPYC 7742
Xeon Gold 6548Y+
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar EPYC 7742
Performance Per Dollar Xeon Gold 6548Y+
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | EPYC 7742 | Xeon Gold 6548Y+ |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($800) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($3,726) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Zen 2 (2017−2020) / 7 nm, 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Emerald Rapids (2023) / 10 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | EPYC 7742 | Xeon Gold 6548Y+ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+341%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($800) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($3,726) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of EPYC 7742 and Xeon Gold 6548Y+
EPYC 7742
The EPYC 7742 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 64 cores and 128 threads. Base frequency is 2.25 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: 69,448 points. Launch price was $6,950.
Xeon Gold 6548Y+
The Xeon Gold 6548Y+ 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 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 60 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 250 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 73,387 points. Launch price was $3,726.
Processing Power
The EPYC 7742 packs 64 cores / 128 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6548Y+ offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the EPYC 7742 has 32 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the EPYC 7742 versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6548Y+ — a 18.7% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6548Y+ (base: 2.25 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The EPYC 7742 uses the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture (7 nm, 14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6548Y+ uses Emerald Rapids (2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7742 scores 69,448 against the Xeon Gold 6548Y+'s 73,387 — a 5.5% lead for the Xeon Gold 6548Y+. L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 7742 vs 60 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6548Y+.
| Feature | EPYC 7742 | Xeon Gold 6548Y+ |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 64 / 128+100% | 32 / 64 |
| Boost Clock | 3.4 GHz | 4.1 GHz+21% |
| Base Clock | 2.25 GHz | 2.5 GHz+11% |
| L3 Cache | 256 MB (total)+327% | 60 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core) | 2 MB (per core)+300% |
| Process | 7 nm, 14 nm-30% | 10 nm |
| Architecture | Zen 2 (2017−2020) | Emerald Rapids (2023) |
| PassMark | 69,448 | 73,387+6% |
Memory & Platform
The EPYC 7742 uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6548Y+ uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the EPYC 7742 versus 5200 on the Xeon Gold 6548Y+ — the Xeon Gold 6548Y+ supports 47.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 4096 of RAM. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7742) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 6548Y+) — the EPYC 7742 offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7742) and C741 (Xeon Gold 6548Y+).
| Feature | EPYC 7742 | Xeon Gold 6548Y+ |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | TR4 | LGA4677 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0+25% |
| Max RAM Speed | 3200 | 5200+63% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4096 | 4096 |
| RAM Channels | 8 | 8 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 128+60% | 80 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon Gold 6548Y+ supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Direct competitor: EPYC 7742 rivals Xeon Platinum 8280; Xeon Gold 6548Y+ rivals EPYC 9454.
| Feature | EPYC 7742 | Xeon Gold 6548Y+ |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | None |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
Value Analysis
The EPYC 7742 launched at $6950 MSRP, while the Xeon Gold 6548Y+ debuted at $3726. At current prices ($800 vs $3726), the EPYC 7742 is $2926 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7742 delivers 86.8 pts/$ vs 19.7 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6548Y+ — making the EPYC 7742 the 126% better value option.
| Feature | EPYC 7742 | Xeon Gold 6548Y+ |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $6950 | $3726-46% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $800-79% | $3726 |
| Performance per Dollar | 86.8+341% | 19.7 |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2023 |
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