EPYC 9124 vs Xeon Gold 6538N

CPU

GPU

EPYC 9124

16 Cores32 Thrd200 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2022

EPYC family

·······

Buy on Amazon

Xeon Gold 6538N

32 Cores64 Thrd205 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2023

Similar parts

·······

Buy on Amazon

EPYC 9124 vs Xeon Gold 6538N Performance Spectrum

EPYC 9124

16 / 32

43,638

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

Xeon Gold 6538N

32 / 64

44,895

+2.9%

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 6538N 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 6538N: 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: +3.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $2,268 less on MSRP ($1,083 MSRP vs $3,351 MSRP).
✅Delivers 200.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 40.3 vs 13.4 PassMark/$ ($1,083 MSRP vs $3,351 MSRP).
✅60% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 80) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (43,638 vs 44,895).

Xeon Gold 6538N

2023

Why buy it

✅+2.9% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 9124 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.4 vs 40.3 PassMark/$ ($3,351 MSRP vs $1,083 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6538N better than EPYC 9124?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, EPYC 9124 is ahead with a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6538N pulls ahead with 2.9% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6538N is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.9% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 6538N is still the faster CPU overall, but EPYC 9124 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Gold 6538N comes in 209.4% more expensive on MSRP at $3,351 MSRP versus $1,083 MSRP, and it still gives you 2.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that EPYC 9124 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. EPYC 9124 is also 200.8% better value on MSRP (40.3 vs 13.4 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Xeon Gold 6538N makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 32 cores / 64 threads instead of 16/32. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

EPYC 9124 vs Xeon Gold 6538N 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 6538N

The Xeon Gold 6538N 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 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 60 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 44,895 points. Launch price was $3,351.

⚡

Processing Power

The EPYC 9124 packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6538N offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the Xeon Gold 6538N has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9124 versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6538N — a 10.3% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6538N (base: 3 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The EPYC 9124 uses the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture (5 nm, 6 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6538N uses Emerald Rapids (2023) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9124 scores 43,638 against the Xeon Gold 6538N's 44,895 — a 2.8% lead for the Xeon Gold 6538N. L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 9124 vs 60 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6538N.

Feature	EPYC 9124	Xeon Gold 6538N
Cores / Threads	16 / 32	32 / 64+100%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	4.1 GHz+11%
Base Clock	3 GHz+43%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	64 MB (total)+7%	60 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	44,895+3%
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 6538N uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. 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 6538N). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9124) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 6538N) — the EPYC 9124 offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9124) and C741 (Xeon Gold 6538N).

Feature	EPYC 9124	Xeon Gold 6538N
Socket	SP5	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	4800
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 6538N). Primary use case: EPYC 9124 targets Server. Direct competitor: EPYC 9124 rivals Xeon Gold 6426Y; Xeon Gold 6538N rivals EPYC 9334.

Feature	EPYC 9124	Xeon Gold 6538N
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 6538N came in at $3351. On launch pricing ($1083 vs $3351), EPYC 9124 was $2268 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9124 delivers 40.3 pts/$ vs 13.4 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6538N — making the EPYC 9124 the 100.2% better value option.

Feature	EPYC 9124	Xeon Gold 6538N
MSRP	$1083-68%	$3351
Performance per Dollar	40.3+201%	13.4
Release Date	2022	2023

Search EPYC 9124 on Amazon

Search Xeon Gold 6538N on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.