CPU
GPU
EPYC 9015
Xeon Platinum 8260
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar EPYC 9015
Performance Per Dollar Xeon Platinum 8260
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | EPYC 9015 | Xeon Platinum 8260 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($400) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Turin (2024) / 4 nm) | ✨ Modern (Cascade Lake-SP (2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | EPYC 9015 | Xeon Platinum 8260 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($400) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of EPYC 9015 and Xeon Platinum 8260
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 Platinum 8260
The Xeon Platinum 8260 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 December 2018 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake-SP (2018) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 35.75 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 30,720 points. Launch price was $4,702.
Processing Power
The EPYC 9015 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon Platinum 8260 offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Xeon Platinum 8260 has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the EPYC 9015 versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8260 — a 5% clock advantage for the EPYC 9015 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The EPYC 9015 uses the Turin (2024) architecture (4 nm), while the Xeon Platinum 8260 uses Cascade Lake-SP (2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9015 scores 30,505 against the Xeon Platinum 8260's 30,720 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon Platinum 8260. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 15,000 vs 18,500 (20.9% advantage for the Xeon Platinum 8260). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,400 vs 1,190, a 16.2% lead for the EPYC 9015 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,000 vs 6,946 (45.2% advantage for the EPYC 9015). L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 9015 vs 35.75 MB (total) on the Xeon Platinum 8260.
| Feature | EPYC 9015 | Xeon Platinum 8260 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16 | 24 / 48+200% |
| Boost Clock | 4.1 GHz+5% | 3.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+50% | 2.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 64 MB (total)+79% | 35.75 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 4 nm-71% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Turin (2024) | Cascade Lake-SP (2018) |
| PassMark | 30,505 | 30,720 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 15,000 | 18,500+23% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,400+18% | 1,190 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 11,000+58% | 6,946 |
Memory & Platform
The EPYC 9015 uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Platinum 8260 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-6000 on the EPYC 9015 versus DDR4-2933 on the Xeon Platinum 8260 — the EPYC 9015 supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9015 supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 1024 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9015) vs 6 (Xeon Platinum 8260). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9015) vs 48 (Xeon Platinum 8260) — the EPYC 9015 offers 80 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 platform (EPYC 9015) and C621,Lewisburg (Xeon Platinum 8260).
| Feature | EPYC 9015 | Xeon Platinum 8260 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | SP5 | LGA3647 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-6000+25% | DDR4-2933 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4096 GB+300% | 1024 GB |
| RAM Channels | 12+100% | 6 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 128+167% | 48 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: AMD-V, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9015) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon Platinum 8260). Primary use case: EPYC 9015 targets Next-gen Data Center / AI Workloads, Xeon Platinum 8260 targets Server / Workstation. Direct competitor: EPYC 9015 rivals Xeon 6; Xeon Platinum 8260 rivals Xeon Gold 6248R.
| Feature | EPYC 9015 | Xeon Platinum 8260 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | AMD-V, SEV-SNP | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Next-gen Data Center / AI Workloads | Server / Workstation |
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