EPYC 9135 vs Xeon Gold 5420+

CPU

GPU

EPYC 9135

16 Cores32 Thrd200 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2024

EPYC family

·······

Buy on Amazon

Xeon Gold 5420+

28 Cores56 Thrd205 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2023

Similar parts

·······

Buy on Amazon

EPYC 9135 vs Xeon Gold 5420+ Performance Spectrum

EPYC 9135

16 / 32

57,808

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

Xeon Gold 5420+

28 / 56

58,209

+0.7%

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 9135 vs Xeon Gold 5420+ 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 9135 vs Xeon Gold 5420+: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 9135

2024

Why buy it

✅+21.9% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 53 MB).
✅Costs $634 less on MSRP ($1,214 MSRP vs $1,848 MSRP).
✅Delivers 51.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 47.6 vs 31.5 PassMark/$ ($1,214 MSRP vs $1,848 MSRP).
✅Draws 200W instead of 205W, a 5W reduction.
✅60% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 80) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 5420+ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (57,808 vs 58,209).

Xeon Gold 5420+

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (53 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 31.5 vs 47.6 PassMark/$ ($1,848 MSRP vs $1,214 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 5420+ better than EPYC 9135?

Yes. Xeon Gold 5420+ is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.7% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon Gold 5420+ is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.4% 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, Xeon Gold 5420+ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 28 cores and 56 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 5420+ is still the faster CPU overall, but EPYC 9135 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Gold 5420+ comes in 52.2% more expensive on MSRP at $1,848 MSRP versus $1,214 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. EPYC 9135 is also 51.2% better value on MSRP (47.6 vs 31.5 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

EPYC 9135 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2023) and 21.9% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 53 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 9135 vs Xeon Gold 5420+ Technical Specifications

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

EPYC 9135

The EPYC 9135 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 3.65 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 200 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 57,808 points. Launch price was $1,214.

Xeon Gold 5420+

The Xeon Gold 5420+ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 52.5 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 58,209 points. Launch price was $1,848.

⚡

Processing Power

The EPYC 9135 packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon Gold 5420+ offers 28 cores / 56 threads — the Xeon Gold 5420+ has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the EPYC 9135 versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5420+ — a 4.8% clock advantage for the EPYC 9135 (base: 3.65 GHz vs 2 GHz). The EPYC 9135 uses the Turin (2024) architecture (4 nm), while the Xeon Gold 5420+ uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (10 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9135 scores 57,808 against the Xeon Gold 5420+'s 58,209 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon Gold 5420+. L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 9135 vs 52.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 5420+.

Feature	EPYC 9135	Xeon Gold 5420+
Cores / Threads	16 / 32	28 / 56+75%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+5%	4.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.65 GHz+83%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	64 MB (total)+22%	52.5 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+100%
Process	4 nm-60%	10 nm
Architecture	Turin (2024)	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark	57,808	58,209

🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 9135 uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Gold 5420+ uses LGA4677 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 6000 on the EPYC 9135 versus 4800 on the Xeon Gold 5420+ — the EPYC 9135 supports 25% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9135 supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 4096 — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9135) vs 8 (Xeon Gold 5420+). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9135) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 5420+) — the EPYC 9135 offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9135) and C741 (Xeon Gold 5420+).

Feature	EPYC 9135	Xeon Gold 5420+
Socket	SP5	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	6000+25%	4800
Max RAM Capacity	6144+50%	4096
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. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Direct competitor: EPYC 9135 rivals Xeon Platinum 8558P; Xeon Gold 5420+ rivals EPYC 9354.

Feature	EPYC 9135	Xeon Gold 5420+
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 9135 was priced at $1214, while the Xeon Gold 5420+ came in at $1848. On launch pricing ($1214 vs $1848), EPYC 9135 was $634 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9135 delivers 47.6 pts/$ vs 31.5 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 5420+ — making the EPYC 9135 the 40.7% better value option.

Feature	EPYC 9135	Xeon Gold 5420+
MSRP	$1214-34%	$1848
Performance per Dollar	47.6+51%	31.5
Release Date	2024	2023

Search EPYC 9135 on Amazon

Search Xeon Gold 5420+ 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.