EPYC 7H12 vs EPYC 7742

AMD

EPYC 7H12

64 Cores128 Thrd280 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2019
EPYC family
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VS
AMD

EPYC 7742

64 Cores128 Thrd225 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2019
EPYC family
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EPYC 7H12 vs EPYC 7742 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 7H12 vs EPYC 7742 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 7H12 vs EPYC 7742: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 7H12

2019

Why buy it

  • +0.3% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

  • 24.4% higher power demand at 280W vs 225W.

EPYC 7742

2019

Why buy it

  • Draws 225W instead of 280W, a 55W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (69,448 vs 69,633).

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 7H12 better than EPYC 7742?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, EPYC 7742 is ahead with a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7H12 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7H12 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 64 cores and 128 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
EPYC 7H12 is the better buy right now. EPYC 7H12 comes in in basically the same MSRP band at $6,950 MSRP versus $6,950 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that EPYC 7742 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 0.3% better value on MSRP (10.0 vs 10.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
EPYC 7H12 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 64 cores / 128 threads instead of 64/128. That extra cache should keep paying off in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

EPYC 7H12 vs EPYC 7742 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

EPYC 7H12

The EPYC 7H12 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2019-09-18. It is based on the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture. It features 64 cores and 128 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 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): 280 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 69,633 points. Launch price was $6,950.

AMD

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.

Processing Power

Both the EPYC 7H12 and EPYC 7742 share an identical 64-core/128-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the EPYC 7H12 versus 3.4 GHz on the EPYC 7742 — a 3% clock advantage for the EPYC 7742 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.25 GHz). Both are built on the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture using a 7 nm, 14 nm process. In PassMark, the EPYC 7H12 scores 69,633 against the EPYC 7742's 69,448 — a 0.3% lead for the EPYC 7H12. Both processors carry 256 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureEPYC 7H12EPYC 7742
Cores / Threads
64 / 128
64 / 128
Boost Clock
3.3 GHz
3.4 GHz+3%
Base Clock
2.6 GHz+16%
2.25 GHz
L3 Cache
256 MB (total)
256 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512K (per core)
512K (per core)
Process
7 nm, 14 nm
7 nm, 14 nm
Architecture
Zen 2 (2017−2020)
Zen 2 (2017−2020)
PassMark
69,633
69,448
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the TR4 socket with PCIe 4.0. Both support up to 3200 memory speed. Both support up to 4096 of RAM. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 128 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7H12) and SP3 (EPYC 7742).

FeatureEPYC 7H12EPYC 7742
Socket
TR4
TR4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
3200
3200
Max RAM Capacity
4096
4096
RAM Channels
8
8
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
128
128
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Direct competitor: EPYC 7H12 rivals Xeon Platinum 8280; EPYC 7742 rivals Xeon Platinum 8280.

FeatureEPYC 7H12EPYC 7742
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
None
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 7H12 was priced at $6950, while the EPYC 7742 came in at $6950. On launch pricing ($6950 vs $6950), EPYC 7742 was $0 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7H12 delivers 10.0 pts/$ vs 10.0 pts/$ for the EPYC 7742 — making the EPYC 7H12 the 0.3% better value option.

FeatureEPYC 7H12EPYC 7742
MSRP
$6950
$6950
Performance per Dollar
10.0
10.0
Release Date
2019
2019

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