EPYC 9015 vs Xeon E7-4890 v2

CPU

GPU

EPYC 9015

8 Cores16 Thrd125 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2024

EPYC family

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Xeon E7-4890 v2

15 Cores30 Thrd155 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2014

Similar parts

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EPYC 9015 vs Xeon E7-4890 v2 Performance Spectrum

EPYC 9015

8 / 16

30,505

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX

Xeon E7-4890 v2

15 / 30

30,946

+1.4%

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 9015 vs Xeon E7-4890 v2 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 9015 vs Xeon E7-4890 v2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 9015

2024

Why buy it

✅+91.8% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+70.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 38 MB).
✅Draws 125W instead of 155W, a 30W reduction.
✅Newer platform on SP5 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and older memory support.
✅300% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 32) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Xeon E7-4890 v2

2014

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (730 vs 1,400).
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (6,500 vs 15,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (38 MB vs 64 MB).
❌24% higher power demand at 155W vs 125W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011, while EPYC 9015 moves to SP5 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9015 better than Xeon E7-4890 v2?

Yes. EPYC 9015 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 130.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, EPYC 9015 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9015 is the stronger fit. You are getting 130.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 70.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 38 MB).

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

EPYC 9015 still makes the most sense overall. EPYC 9015 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

EPYC 9015 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2014), a healthier platform with SP5 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, 70.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 38 MB), more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 15/30, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 9015 vs Xeon E7-4890 v2 Technical Specifications

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

EPYC 9015

The EPYC 9015 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Turin (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 30,505 points. Launch price was $527.

Xeon E7-4890 v2

The Xeon E7-4890 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 15 cores and 30 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 37.5 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 155 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 30,946 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 9015 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E7-4890 v2 offers 15 cores / 30 threads — the Xeon E7-4890 v2 has 7 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the EPYC 9015 versus 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E7-4890 v2 — a 18.7% clock advantage for the EPYC 9015 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The EPYC 9015 is built on the Turin (2024) architecture. In PassMark, the EPYC 9015 scores 30,505 against the Xeon E7-4890 v2's 30,946 — a 1.4% lead for the Xeon E7-4890 v2. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 15,000 vs 6,500 (79.1% advantage for the EPYC 9015). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,400 vs 730, a 62.9% lead for the EPYC 9015 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,000 vs 5,500 (66.7% advantage for the EPYC 9015). L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 9015 vs 37.5 MB on the Xeon E7-4890 v2.

Feature	EPYC 9015	Xeon E7-4890 v2
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	15 / 30+88%
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+21%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+29%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	64 MB (total)+71%	37.5 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	—
Process	4 nm-82%	22 nm
Architecture	Turin (2024)	—
PassMark	30,505	30,946+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	15,000+131%	6,500
Geekbench 6 Single	1,400+92%	730
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,000+100%	5,500

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Memory & Platform

The EPYC 9015 uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E7-4890 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-6000 on the EPYC 9015 versus DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E7-4890 v2 — the EPYC 9015 supports 275% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9015 supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 1536 GB — 166.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9015) vs 4 (Xeon E7-4890 v2). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9015) vs 32 (Xeon E7-4890 v2) — the EPYC 9015 offers 96 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 platform (EPYC 9015) and C602 (Xeon E7-4890 v2).

Feature	EPYC 9015	Xeon E7-4890 v2
Socket	SP5	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6000+275%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	4096 GB+167%	1536 GB
RAM Channels	12+200%	4
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128+300%	32

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the EPYC 9015 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9015) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon E7-4890 v2). Primary use case: EPYC 9015 targets Next-gen Data Center / AI Workloads, Xeon E7-4890 v2 targets Enterprise Server (Legacy). Direct competitor: EPYC 9015 rivals Xeon 6; Xeon E7-4890 v2 rivals Xeon E5-2697 v2.

Feature	EPYC 9015	Xeon E7-4890 v2
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	AMD-V, SEV-SNP	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Next-gen Data Center / AI Workloads	Enterprise Server (Legacy)