EPYC 9174F vs Xeon Gold 6438N

CPU

GPU

EPYC 9174F

16 Cores32 Thrd320 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

EPYC family

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Xeon Gold 6438N

32 Cores64 Thrd205 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2023

Similar parts

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EPYC 9174F vs Xeon Gold 6438N Performance Spectrum

EPYC 9174F

16 / 32

52,249

0.0%

Ryzen 9 7940H

Ryzen 7 PRO 7745

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen 9 5950X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

Xeon Gold 6438N

32 / 64

52,789

+1.0%

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 9174F vs Xeon Gold 6438N 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 9174F vs Xeon Gold 6438N: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 9174F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +32.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $3,157 less on MSRP ($194 MSRP vs $3,351 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1609.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 269.3 vs 15.8 PassMark/$ ($194 MSRP vs $3,351 MSRP).
✅60% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 80) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (52,249 vs 52,789).
❌56.1% higher power demand at 320W vs 205W.

Xeon Gold 6438N

2023

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 205W instead of 320W, a 115W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 9174F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.8 vs 269.3 PassMark/$ ($3,351 MSRP vs $194 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6438N better than EPYC 9174F?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, EPYC 9174F is ahead with a 32.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6438N pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark. EPYC 9174F also has the bigger cache pool with 326.7% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 60 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6438N is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 6438N is still the faster CPU overall, but EPYC 9174F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Gold 6438N comes in 1627.3% more expensive on MSRP at $3,351 MSRP versus $194 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. The compromise is that EPYC 9174F is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 32.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. EPYC 9174F is also 1609.7% better value on MSRP (269.3 vs 15.8 PassMark/$), 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 6438N 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 9174F vs Xeon Gold 6438N Technical Specifications

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

EPYC 9174F

The EPYC 9174F 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 4.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm, 6 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 320 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 52,249 points. Launch price was $3,850.

Xeon Gold 6438N

The Xeon Gold 6438N 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 2 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): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 52,789 points. Launch price was $3,351.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 9174F packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6438N offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the Xeon Gold 6438N has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the EPYC 9174F versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6438N — a 20% clock advantage for the EPYC 9174F (base: 4.1 GHz vs 2 GHz). The EPYC 9174F uses the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture (5 nm, 6 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6438N uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9174F scores 52,249 against the Xeon Gold 6438N's 52,789 — a 1% lead for the Xeon Gold 6438N. L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9174F vs 60 MB on the Xeon Gold 6438N.

Feature	EPYC 9174F	Xeon Gold 6438N
Cores / Threads	16 / 32	32 / 64+100%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+22%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	4.1 GHz+105%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	256 MB (total)+327%	60 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+100%
Process	5 nm, 6 nm-29%	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Genoa (2022−2023)	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark	52,249	52,789+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,500
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	20,000

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Memory & Platform

The EPYC 9174F uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Gold 6438N uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to 4800 memory speed. The EPYC 9174F supports up to 6144 GB of RAM compared to 4096 GB — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9174F) vs 8 (Xeon Gold 6438N). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9174F) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 6438N) — the EPYC 9174F offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9174F) and C741 (Xeon Gold 6438N).

Feature	EPYC 9174F	Xeon Gold 6438N
Socket	SP5	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	4800	DDR5-4800
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. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Primary use case: Xeon Gold 6438N targets Server. Direct competitor: EPYC 9174F rivals Xeon Platinum 8468; Xeon Gold 6438N rivals EPYC 9354.

Feature	EPYC 9174F	Xeon Gold 6438N
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Server

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 9174F was priced at $194, while the Xeon Gold 6438N came in at $3351. On launch pricing ($194 vs $3351), EPYC 9174F was $3157 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9174F delivers 269.3 pts/$ vs 15.8 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6438N — making the EPYC 9174F the 177.9% better value option.

Feature	EPYC 9174F	Xeon Gold 6438N
MSRP	$194-94%	$3351
Performance per Dollar	269.3+1604%	15.8
Release Date	2022	2023

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