EPYC 9115 vs Xeon w5-2555X

AMD

EPYC 9115

16 Cores32 Thrd125 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2024
VS
Intel

Xeon w5-2555X

14 Cores28 Thrd252 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2024

EPYC 9115 vs Xeon w5-2555X 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 9115 vs Xeon w5-2555X 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 w5-2555X: 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

  • +1.5% higher PassMark.
  • +89.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 34 MB).
  • Costs $343 less on MSRP ($726 MSRP vs $1,069 MSRP).
  • Delivers 49.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 66.6 vs 44.6 PassMark/$ ($726 MSRP vs $1,069 MSRP).
  • Draws 125W instead of 252W, a 127W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon w5-2555X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Xeon w5-2555X

2024

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +26.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (47,638 vs 48,343).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (34 MB vs 64 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 44.6 vs 66.6 PassMark/$ ($1,069 MSRP vs $726 MSRP).
  • 101.6% higher power demand at 252W vs 125W.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9115 better than Xeon w5-2555X?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon w5-2555X is ahead with a 26.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9115 pulls ahead with 1.5% better PassMark. EPYC 9115 also has the bigger cache pool with 89.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 34 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 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 89.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 34 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 $343 cheaper on MSRP at $726 MSRP versus $1,069 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon w5-2555X is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 26.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 49.4% better value on MSRP (66.6 vs 44.6 PassMark/$), 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 89.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 34 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 14/28. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

EPYC 9115 vs Xeon w5-2555X Technical Specifications

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

AMD

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.

Intel

Xeon w5-2555X

The Xeon w5-2555X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 33.75 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 252 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 47,638 points. Launch price was $800.

Processing Power

The EPYC 9115 packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon w5-2555X offers 14 cores / 28 threads — the EPYC 9115 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the EPYC 9115 versus 4.8 GHz on the Xeon w5-2555X — a 15.7% clock advantage for the Xeon w5-2555X (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The EPYC 9115 is built on the Turin (2024) architecture. In PassMark, the EPYC 9115 scores 48,343 against the Xeon w5-2555X's 47,638 — a 1.5% lead for the EPYC 9115. L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 9115 vs 33.75 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon w5-2555X.

FeatureEPYC 9115Xeon w5-2555X
Cores / Threads
16 / 32+14%
14 / 28
Boost Clock
4.1 GHz
4.8 GHz+17%
Base Clock
2.6 GHz
3.3 GHz+27%
L3 Cache
64 MB (total)+90%
33.75 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache
1 MB (per core)
Process
4 nm-43%
Intel 7 nm
Architecture
Turin (2024)
PassMark
48,343+1%
47,638
🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 9115 uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon w5-2555X uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to 4800 memory speed. The EPYC 9115 supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 4096 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9115) vs 8 (Xeon w5-2555X). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9115) vs 112 (Xeon w5-2555X) — the EPYC 9115 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9115) and W790 (Xeon w5-2555X).

FeatureEPYC 9115Xeon w5-2555X
Socket
SP5
LGA4677
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed
4800
4800
Max RAM Capacity
6144+50%
4096
RAM Channels
12+50%
8
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
128+14%
112
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Xeon w5-2555X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. 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 w5-2555X). Direct competitor: EPYC 9115 rivals Xeon Platinum 8468X; Xeon w5-2555X rivals Threadripper PRO 7965WX.

FeatureEPYC 9115Xeon w5-2555X
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
None
Unlocked
No
Yes
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 w5-2555X came in at $1069. On launch pricing ($726 vs $1069), EPYC 9115 was $343 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9115 delivers 66.6 pts/$ vs 44.6 pts/$ for the Xeon w5-2555X — making the EPYC 9115 the 39.6% better value option.

FeatureEPYC 9115Xeon w5-2555X
MSRP
$726-32%
$1069
Performance per Dollar
66.6+49%
44.6
Release Date
2024
2024

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