EPYC 9115 vs Xeon Gold 6342

CPU

GPU

EPYC 9115

16 Cores32 Thrd125 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2024

EPYC family

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Xeon Gold 6342

24 Cores48 Thrd230 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2021

Similar parts

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EPYC 9115 vs Xeon Gold 6342 Performance Spectrum

EPYC 9115

16 / 32

48,343

+2.7%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

Xeon Gold 6342

24 / 48

47,076

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 9115 vs Xeon Gold 6342 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 9115 vs Xeon Gold 6342: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 9115

2024

Why buy it

✅+2.7% higher PassMark.
✅+77.8% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).
✅Costs $2,251 less on MSRP ($726 MSRP vs $2,977 MSRP).
✅Delivers 321.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 66.6 vs 15.8 PassMark/$ ($726 MSRP vs $2,977 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 230W, a 105W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6342 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Xeon Gold 6342

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (47,076 vs 48,343).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (36 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.8 vs 66.6 PassMark/$ ($2,977 MSRP vs $726 MSRP).
❌84% higher power demand at 230W vs 125W.
❌Older platform position on LGA4189 with DDR4, while EPYC 9115 moves to SP5 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9115 better than Xeon Gold 6342?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Gold 6342 is ahead with a 9.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9115 pulls ahead with 2.7% better PassMark. EPYC 9115 also has the bigger cache pool with 77.8% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9115 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.7% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 77.8% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).

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

EPYC 9115 is the better buy right now. EPYC 9115 comes in $2,251 cheaper on MSRP at $726 MSRP versus $2,977 MSRP, and it still gives you 2.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6342 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 9.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 321.1% better value on MSRP (66.6 vs 15.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

EPYC 9115 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2021), a healthier platform with SP5 and DDR5 instead of LGA4189, 77.8% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 24/48. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 9115 vs Xeon Gold 6342 Technical Specifications

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

EPYC 9115

The EPYC 9115 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Turin (2024) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 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: 48,343 points. Launch price was $726.

Xeon Gold 6342

The Xeon Gold 6342 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 230 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 47,076 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 9115 packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6342 offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Xeon Gold 6342 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the EPYC 9115 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6342 — a 15.8% clock advantage for the EPYC 9115 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The EPYC 9115 uses the Turin (2024) architecture (4 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6342 uses Ice Lake-SP (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9115 scores 48,343 against the Xeon Gold 6342's 47,076 — a 2.7% lead for the EPYC 9115. L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 9115 vs 36 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6342.

Feature	EPYC 9115	Xeon Gold 6342
Cores / Threads	16 / 32	24 / 48+50%
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+17%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	2.8 GHz+8%
L3 Cache	64 MB (total)+78%	36 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB (per core)
Process	4 nm-60%	10 nm
Architecture	Turin (2024)	Ice Lake-SP (2021)
PassMark	48,343+3%	47,076

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Memory & Platform

The EPYC 9115 uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Gold 6342 uses LGA4189 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the EPYC 9115 versus 3200 on the Xeon Gold 6342 — the EPYC 9115 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 6144 of RAM. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9115) vs 8 (Xeon Gold 6342). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9115) vs 64 (Xeon Gold 6342) — the EPYC 9115 offers 64 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9115) and C621A (Xeon Gold 6342).

Feature	EPYC 9115	Xeon Gold 6342
Socket	SP5	LGA4189
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	4800+50%	3200
Max RAM Capacity	6144	6144
RAM Channels	12+50%	8
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128+100%	64

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (EPYC 9115) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6342). Direct competitor: EPYC 9115 rivals Xeon Platinum 8468X; Xeon Gold 6342 rivals EPYC 7443.

Feature	EPYC 9115	Xeon Gold 6342
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V	VT-x, VT-d

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 9115 was priced at $726, while the Xeon Gold 6342 came in at $2977. On launch pricing ($726 vs $2977), EPYC 9115 was $2251 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9115 delivers 66.6 pts/$ vs 15.8 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6342 — making the EPYC 9115 the 123.2% better value option.

Feature	EPYC 9115	Xeon Gold 6342
MSRP	$726-76%	$2977
Performance per Dollar	66.6+322%	15.8
Release Date	2024	2021

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