EPYC 7F72 vs Xeon Gold 6438N

CPU

GPU

EPYC 7F72

24 Cores48 Thrd240 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2020

EPYC family

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Xeon Gold 6438N

32 Cores64 Thrd205 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2023

Similar parts

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EPYC 7F72 vs Xeon Gold 6438N Performance Spectrum

EPYC 7F72

24 / 48

52,840

+0.1%

Ryzen 9 8945HS

Ryzen AI 9 HX 370

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen 9 PRO 7945

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

Xeon Gold 6438N

32 / 64

52,789

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 7F72 vs Xeon Gold 6438N 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 7F72 vs Xeon Gold 6438N: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 7F72

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $1,220 less on MSRP ($2,131 MSRP vs $3,351 MSRP).
✅Delivers 57.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.8 vs 15.8 PassMark/$ ($2,131 MSRP vs $3,351 MSRP).
✅60% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 80) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌17.1% higher power demand at 240W vs 205W.
❌Older platform position on SP3 with DDR4, while Xeon Gold 6438N moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Gold 6438N

2023

Why buy it

✅Draws 205W instead of 240W, a 35W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of SP3 and DDR4.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 7F72 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (52,789 vs 52,840).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.8 vs 24.8 PassMark/$ ($3,351 MSRP vs $2,131 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 7F72 better than Xeon Gold 6438N?

Yes. EPYC 7F72 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, EPYC 7F72 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 192 MB versus 60 MB.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7F72 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 220% larger total L3 cache (192 MB vs 60 MB).

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

EPYC 7F72 is the better buy right now. EPYC 7F72 comes in $1,220 cheaper on MSRP at $2,131 MSRP versus $3,351 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 57.4% better value on MSRP (24.8 vs 15.8 PassMark/$), 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 Gold 6438N makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020), 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 7F72 vs Xeon Gold 6438N Technical Specifications

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

EPYC 7F72

The EPYC 7F72 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 14 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 192 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 14 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 240 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 52,840 points. Launch price was $2,450.

Xeon Gold 6438N

The Xeon Gold 6438N is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 60 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 52,789 points. Launch price was $3,351.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 7F72 packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6438N offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the Xeon Gold 6438N has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 7F72 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6438N — a 2.7% clock advantage for the EPYC 7F72 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The EPYC 7F72 uses the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture (7 nm, 14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6438N uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7F72 scores 52,840 against the Xeon Gold 6438N's 52,789 — a 0.1% lead for the EPYC 7F72. L3 cache: 192 MB (total) on the EPYC 7F72 vs 60 MB on the Xeon Gold 6438N.

Feature	EPYC 7F72	Xeon Gold 6438N
Cores / Threads	24 / 48	32 / 64+33%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+3%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+60%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	192 MB (total)+220%	60 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	52,840	52,789
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,500
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	20,000

🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7F72 uses the SP3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6438N uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the EPYC 7F72 versus DDR5-4800 on the Xeon Gold 6438N — the Xeon Gold 6438N 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 7F72) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 6438N) — the EPYC 7F72 offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7F72) and C741 (Xeon Gold 6438N).

Feature	EPYC 7F72	Xeon Gold 6438N
Socket	SP3	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+60%	80

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon Gold 6438N supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Primary use case: Xeon Gold 6438N targets Server. Direct competitor: EPYC 7F72 rivals Xeon Platinum 8260; Xeon Gold 6438N rivals EPYC 9354.

Feature	EPYC 7F72	Xeon Gold 6438N
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Server

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 7F72 was priced at $2131, while the Xeon Gold 6438N came in at $3351. On launch pricing ($2131 vs $3351), EPYC 7F72 was $1220 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7F72 delivers 24.8 pts/$ vs 15.8 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6438N — making the EPYC 7F72 the 44.6% better value option.

Feature	EPYC 7F72	Xeon Gold 6438N
MSRP	$2131-36%	$3351
Performance per Dollar	24.8+57%	15.8
Release Date	2020	2023

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