EPYC 7742 vs Xeon w7-3555

CPU

GPU

EPYC 7742

64 Cores128 Thrd225 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2019

EPYC family

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Xeon w7-3555

28 Cores56 Thrd325 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2024

Similar parts

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EPYC 7742 vs Xeon w7-3555 Performance Spectrum

EPYC 7742

64 / 128

69,448

+2.5%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

Xeon w7-3555

28 / 56

67,754

0.0%

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 7742 vs Xeon w7-3555 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 7742 vs Xeon w7-3555: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 7742

2019

Why buy it

✅+2.5% higher PassMark.
✅+241.3% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 75 MB).
✅Draws 225W instead of 325W, a 100W reduction.
✅14.3% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 112) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon w7-3555 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.0 vs 24.6 PassMark/$ ($6,950 MSRP vs $2,749 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while Xeon w7-3555 moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon w7-3555

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $4,201 less on MSRP ($2,749 MSRP vs $6,950 MSRP).
✅Delivers 146.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.6 vs 10.0 PassMark/$ ($2,749 MSRP vs $6,950 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (67,754 vs 69,448).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (75 MB vs 256 MB).
❌44.4% higher power demand at 325W vs 225W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon w7-3555 better than EPYC 7742?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon w7-3555 is ahead with a 19.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7742 pulls ahead with 2.5% better PassMark. EPYC 7742 also has the bigger cache pool with 241.3% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 75 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7742 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.5% better PassMark, backed by 64 cores and 128 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 241.3% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 75 MB).

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

Xeon w7-3555 is the better buy right now. Xeon w7-3555 comes in $4,201 cheaper on MSRP at $2,749 MSRP versus $6,950 MSRP, and it still gives you a 19.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that EPYC 7742 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 2.5% better PassMark. It is also 146.7% better value on MSRP (24.6 vs 10.0 PassMark/$), 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 w7-3555 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2019), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of TR4, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 7742 vs Xeon w7-3555 Technical Specifications

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

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 w7-3555

The Xeon w7-3555 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 August 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 75 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 325 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 67,754 points. Launch price was $2,339.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 7742 packs 64 cores / 128 threads, while the Xeon w7-3555 offers 28 cores / 56 threads — the EPYC 7742 has 36 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the EPYC 7742 versus 4.8 GHz on the Xeon w7-3555 — a 34.1% clock advantage for the Xeon w7-3555 (base: 2.25 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The EPYC 7742 uses the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture (7 nm, 14 nm), while the Xeon w7-3555 uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7742 scores 69,448 against the Xeon w7-3555's 67,754 — a 2.5% lead for the EPYC 7742. L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 7742 vs 75 MB on the Xeon w7-3555.

Feature	EPYC 7742	Xeon w7-3555
Cores / Threads	64 / 128+129%	28 / 56
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	4.8 GHz+41%
Base Clock	2.25 GHz	2.7 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	256 MB (total)+241%	75 MB
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+25500%	2 MB (per core)
Process	7 nm, 14 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Zen 2 (2017−2020)	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark	69,448+3%	67,754
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,300
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	17,120

🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7742 uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon w7-3555 uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the EPYC 7742 versus DDR5-4800 on the Xeon w7-3555 — the Xeon w7-3555 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 7742) vs 112 (Xeon w7-3555) — the EPYC 7742 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7742) and W790 (Xeon w7-3555).

Feature	EPYC 7742	Xeon w7-3555
Socket	TR4	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
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+14%	112

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Xeon w7-3555 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Xeon w7-3555 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (EPYC 7742) vs true (Xeon w7-3555). Direct competitor: EPYC 7742 rivals Xeon Platinum 8280; Xeon w7-3555 rivals Threadripper PRO 7965WX.

Feature	EPYC 7742	Xeon w7-3555
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	true

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 7742 was priced at $6950, while the Xeon w7-3555 came in at $2749. On launch pricing ($6950 vs $2749), Xeon w7-3555 was $4201 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7742 delivers 10.0 pts/$ vs 24.6 pts/$ for the Xeon w7-3555 — making the Xeon w7-3555 the 84.6% better value option.

Feature	EPYC 7742	Xeon w7-3555
MSRP	$6950	$2749-60%
Performance per Dollar	10.0	24.6+146%
Release Date	2019	2024

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