EPYC 7763 vs Xeon Max 9480

AMD

EPYC 7763

64 Cores128 Thrd280 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2021
EPYC family
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VS
Intel

Xeon Max 9480

56 Cores112 Thrd350 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2023
Similar parts

EPYC 7763 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 7763 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 7763 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 7763

2021

Why buy it

  • +1.8% higher PassMark.
  • +127.6% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 113 MB).
  • Costs $5,090 less on MSRP ($7,890 MSRP vs $12,980 MSRP).
  • Delivers 67.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 10.7 vs 6.4 PassMark/$ ($7,890 MSRP vs $12,980 MSRP).
  • Draws 280W instead of 350W, a 70W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Max 9480 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • 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

  • Better for gaming: +3.5% 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

  • Lower PassMark (82,913 vs 84,440).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (113 MB vs 256 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.4 vs 10.7 PassMark/$ ($12,980 MSRP vs $7,890 MSRP).
  • 25% higher power demand at 350W vs 280W.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 7763 better than Xeon Max 9480?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Max 9480 is ahead with a 3.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7763 pulls ahead with 1.8% better PassMark. EPYC 7763 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, EPYC 7763 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.8% better PassMark, backed by 64 cores and 128 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 127.6% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 113 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
EPYC 7763 is the better buy right now. EPYC 7763 comes in $5,090 cheaper on MSRP at $7,890 MSRP versus $12,980 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon Max 9480 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 67.5% better value on MSRP (10.7 vs 6.4 PassMark/$), 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 newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of SP3, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 7763 vs Xeon Max 9480 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

EPYC 7763

The EPYC 7763 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 64 cores and 128 threads. Base frequency is 2.45 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): 280 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 84,440 points. Launch price was $7,890.

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 7763 packs 64 cores / 128 threads, while the Xeon Max 9480 offers 56 cores / 112 threads — the EPYC 7763 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the EPYC 7763 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Max 9480 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.45 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The EPYC 7763 uses the Milan (2021−2023) architecture (7 nm+), while the Xeon Max 9480 uses Sapphire Rapids HBM (2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7763 scores 84,440 against the Xeon Max 9480's 82,913 — a 1.8% lead for the EPYC 7763. L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 7763 vs 112.5 MB on the Xeon Max 9480.

FeatureEPYC 7763Xeon Max 9480
Cores / Threads
64 / 128+14%
56 / 112
Boost Clock
3.5 GHz
3.5 GHz
Base Clock
2.45 GHz+29%
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
84,440+2%
82,913
Geekbench 6 Single
1,900
Geekbench 6 Multi
55,000
🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7763 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 7763 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 7763) vs 80 (Xeon Max 9480) — the EPYC 7763 offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7763) and C741 (Xeon Max 9480).

FeatureEPYC 7763Xeon 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 7763) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Max 9480). Primary use case: Xeon Max 9480 targets HPC Server. Direct competitor: EPYC 7763 rivals Xeon Platinum 8380; Xeon Max 9480 rivals EPYC 9684X.

FeatureEPYC 7763Xeon 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 7763 was priced at $7890, while the Xeon Max 9480 came in at $12980. On launch pricing ($7890 vs $12980), EPYC 7763 was $5090 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7763 delivers 10.7 pts/$ vs 6.4 pts/$ for the Xeon Max 9480 — making the EPYC 7763 the 50.5% better value option.

FeatureEPYC 7763Xeon Max 9480
MSRP
$7890-39%
$12980
Performance per Dollar
10.7+67%
6.4
Release Date
2021
2023

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