EPYC 9124 vs Xeon Gold 6526Y

CPU

GPU

EPYC 9124

16 Cores32 Thrd200 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2022

EPYC family

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Xeon Gold 6526Y

16 Cores32 Thrd195 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2023

Similar parts

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EPYC 9124 vs Xeon Gold 6526Y Performance Spectrum

EPYC 9124

16 / 32

43,638

+1.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

Xeon Gold 6526Y

16 / 32

43,195

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 9124 vs Xeon Gold 6526Y 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 9124 vs Xeon Gold 6526Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 9124

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+70.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 38 MB).
✅Costs $1,795 less on MSRP ($1,083 MSRP vs $2,878 MSRP).
✅Delivers 168.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 40.3 vs 15.0 PassMark/$ ($1,083 MSRP vs $2,878 MSRP).
✅60% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 80) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

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

Xeon Gold 6526Y

2023

Why buy it

✅Draws 195W instead of 200W, a 5W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 9124 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (43,195 vs 43,638).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (38 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.0 vs 40.3 PassMark/$ ($2,878 MSRP vs $1,083 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9124 better than Xeon Gold 6526Y?

Yes. EPYC 9124 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, EPYC 9124 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.9% 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 9124 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 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 9124 is the better buy right now. EPYC 9124 comes in $1,795 cheaper on MSRP at $1,083 MSRP versus $2,878 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 168.5% better value on MSRP (40.3 vs 15.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon Gold 6526Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

EPYC 9124 vs Xeon Gold 6526Y Technical Specifications

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

EPYC 9124

The EPYC 9124 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 November 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm, 6 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 200 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 43,638 points. Launch price was $1,083.

Xeon Gold 6526Y

The Xeon Gold 6526Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Emerald Rapids (2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 37.5 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 195 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 43,195 points. Launch price was $1,517.

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Processing Power

Both the EPYC 9124 and Xeon Gold 6526Y share an identical 16-core/32-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9124 versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6526Y — a 5.3% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6526Y (base: 3 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The EPYC 9124 uses the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture (5 nm, 6 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6526Y uses Emerald Rapids (2023) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9124 scores 43,638 against the Xeon Gold 6526Y's 43,195 — a 1% lead for the EPYC 9124. L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 9124 vs 37.5 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6526Y.

Feature	EPYC 9124	Xeon Gold 6526Y
Cores / Threads	16 / 32	16 / 32
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	3.9 GHz+5%
Base Clock	3 GHz+7%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	64 MB (total)+71%	37.5 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+100%
Process	5 nm, 6 nm-29%	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Genoa (2022−2023)	Emerald Rapids (2023)
PassMark	43,638+1%	43,195
Geekbench 6 Single	1,770	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	18,000	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 9124 uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Gold 6526Y uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the EPYC 9124 versus 5200 on the Xeon Gold 6526Y — the Xeon Gold 6526Y supports 8.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9124 supports up to 6144 GB of RAM compared to 4096 GB — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9124) vs 8 (Xeon Gold 6526Y). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9124) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 6526Y) — the EPYC 9124 offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9124) and C741 (Xeon Gold 6526Y).

Feature	EPYC 9124	Xeon Gold 6526Y
Socket	SP5	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	5200+8%
Max RAM Capacity	6144 GB+50%	4096 GB
RAM Channels	12+50%	8
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128+60%	80

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: AMD-V (EPYC 9124) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6526Y). Primary use case: EPYC 9124 targets Server. Direct competitor: EPYC 9124 rivals Xeon Gold 6426Y; Xeon Gold 6526Y rivals EPYC 9334.

Feature	EPYC 9124	Xeon Gold 6526Y
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	AMD-V	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Server	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 9124 was priced at $1083, while the Xeon Gold 6526Y came in at $2878. On launch pricing ($1083 vs $2878), EPYC 9124 was $1795 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9124 delivers 40.3 pts/$ vs 15.0 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6526Y — making the EPYC 9124 the 91.4% better value option.

Feature	EPYC 9124	Xeon Gold 6526Y
MSRP	$1083-62%	$2878
Performance per Dollar	40.3+169%	15.0
Release Date	2022	2023

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