EPYC 9135 vs Xeon Gold 6421N

EPYC 9135 vs Xeon Gold 6421N 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 6421N

32 / 64

58,797

+1.7%

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 6421N 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 6421N: 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

✅Costs $1,154 less on MSRP ($1,214 MSRP vs $2,368 MSRP).
✅Delivers 91.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 47.6 vs 24.8 PassMark/$ ($1,214 MSRP vs $2,368 MSRP).
✅60% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 80) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (57,808 vs 58,797).

Xeon Gold 6421N

2023

Why buy it

✅+1.7% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 185W instead of 200W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 24.8 vs 47.6 PassMark/$ ($2,368 MSRP vs $1,214 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9135 better than Xeon Gold 6421N?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, EPYC 9135 is ahead with a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6421N pulls ahead with 1.7% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6421N is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads.

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

EPYC 9135 is the better buy right now. EPYC 9135 comes in $1,154 cheaper on MSRP at $1,214 MSRP versus $2,368 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6421N is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.7% better PassMark. It is also 91.8% better value on MSRP (47.6 vs 24.8 PassMark/$), 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 9135 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2023). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 9135 vs Xeon Gold 6421N 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 6421N

The Xeon Gold 6421N 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 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 60 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 185 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 58,797 points. Launch price was $2,368.

⚡

Processing Power

The EPYC 9135 packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6421N offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the Xeon Gold 6421N has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the EPYC 9135 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6421N — a 17.7% clock advantage for the EPYC 9135 (base: 3.65 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The EPYC 9135 uses the Turin (2024) architecture (4 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6421N uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9135 scores 57,808 against the Xeon Gold 6421N's 58,797 — a 1.7% lead for the Xeon Gold 6421N. L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 9135 vs 60 MB on the Xeon Gold 6421N.

Feature	EPYC 9135	Xeon Gold 6421N
Cores / Threads	16 / 32	32 / 64+100%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+19%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.65 GHz+103%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	64 MB (total)+7%	60 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+100%
Process	4 nm-43%	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Turin (2024)	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark	57,808	58,797+2%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 9135 uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Gold 6421N uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 6000 on the EPYC 9135 versus 4800 on the Xeon Gold 6421N — 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 6421N). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9135) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 6421N) — the EPYC 9135 offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9135) and C741 (Xeon Gold 6421N).

Feature	EPYC 9135	Xeon Gold 6421N
Socket	SP5	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
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 6421N rivals EPYC 9354.

Feature	EPYC 9135	Xeon Gold 6421N
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 6421N came in at $2368. On launch pricing ($1214 vs $2368), EPYC 9135 was $1154 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9135 delivers 47.6 pts/$ vs 24.8 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6421N — making the EPYC 9135 the 62.9% better value option.

Feature	EPYC 9135	Xeon Gold 6421N
MSRP	$1214-49%	$2368
Performance per Dollar	47.6+92%	24.8
Release Date	2024	2023

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