EPYC 9255 vs Xeon 6740E

CPU

GPU

EPYC 9255

24 Cores48 Thrd200 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2024

EPYC family

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Xeon 6740E

96 Cores96 Thrd250 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2024

Similar parts

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EPYC 9255 vs Xeon 6740E Performance Spectrum

EPYC 9255

24 / 48

75,809

0.0%

Ryzen 7 8840HX

Ryzen 9 7900X3D

Ryzen 9 7945HX3D

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

Ryzen Threadripper 7980X

Xeon 6740E

96 / 96

76,167

+0.5%

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 9255 vs Xeon 6740E 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 9255 vs Xeon 6740E: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 9255

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +21.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 96 MB).
✅Costs $2,770 less on MSRP ($2,495 MSRP vs $5,265 MSRP).
✅Delivers 110.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 30.4 vs 14.5 PassMark/$ ($2,495 MSRP vs $5,265 MSRP).
✅Draws 200W instead of 250W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (75,809 vs 76,167).

Xeon 6740E

2024

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 9255 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (96 MB vs 128 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.5 vs 30.4 PassMark/$ ($5,265 MSRP vs $2,495 MSRP).
❌25% higher power demand at 250W vs 200W.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9255 better than Xeon 6740E?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, EPYC 9255 is ahead with a 21.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon 6740E pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. EPYC 9255 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 96 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon 6740E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 96 cores and 96 threads.

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

EPYC 9255 is the better buy right now. EPYC 9255 comes in $2,770 cheaper on MSRP at $2,495 MSRP versus $5,265 MSRP, and it still gives you a 21.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon 6740E is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.5% better PassMark. It is also 110.0% better value on MSRP (30.4 vs 14.5 PassMark/$), 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 6740E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 96 cores / 96 threads instead of 24/48. That extra cache should keep paying off in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

EPYC 9255 vs Xeon 6740E Technical Specifications

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

EPYC 9255

The EPYC 9255 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Turin (2024) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 3.25 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 128 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: 75,809 points. Launch price was $2,495.

Xeon 6740E

The Xeon 6740E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Sierra Forest (2024) architecture. It features 96 cores and 96 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 96 MB (total). L2 cache: 4 MB (per module). Built on Intel 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4710. Thermal design power (TDP): 250 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 76,167 points. Launch price was $5,265.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 9255 packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Xeon 6740E offers 96 cores / 96 threads — the Xeon 6740E has 72 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the EPYC 9255 versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon 6740E — a 40% clock advantage for the EPYC 9255 (base: 3.25 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The EPYC 9255 uses the Turin (2024) architecture (4 nm), while the Xeon 6740E uses Sierra Forest (2024) (Intel 3 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9255 scores 75,809 against the Xeon 6740E's 76,167 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon 6740E. L3 cache: 128 MB (total) on the EPYC 9255 vs 96 MB (total) on the Xeon 6740E.

Feature	EPYC 9255	Xeon 6740E
Cores / Threads	24 / 48	96 / 96+300%
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+50%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.25 GHz+35%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	128 MB (total)+33%	96 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	4 MB (per module)+300%
Process	4 nm	Intel 3 nm-25%
Architecture	Turin (2024)	Sierra Forest (2024)
PassMark	75,809	76,167

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Memory & Platform

The EPYC 9255 uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon 6740E uses LGA4710 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the EPYC 9255 versus 6400 on the Xeon 6740E — the Xeon 6740E supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9255 supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 4096 — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9255) vs 8 (Xeon 6740E). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9255) vs 80 (Xeon 6740E) — the EPYC 9255 offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9255) and C741 (Xeon 6740E).

Feature	EPYC 9255	Xeon 6740E
Socket	SP5	LGA4710
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	4800	6400+33%
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. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9255) vs VT-x, VT-d, TDX (Xeon 6740E). Direct competitor: EPYC 9255 rivals Xeon Platinum 8480+; Xeon 6740E rivals EPYC 9005.

Feature	EPYC 9255	Xeon 6740E
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, SEV-SNP	VT-x, VT-d, TDX

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 9255 was priced at $2495, while the Xeon 6740E came in at $5265. On launch pricing ($2495 vs $5265), EPYC 9255 was $2770 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9255 delivers 30.4 pts/$ vs 14.5 pts/$ for the Xeon 6740E — making the EPYC 9255 the 71% better value option.

Feature	EPYC 9255	Xeon 6740E
MSRP	$2495-53%	$5265
Performance per Dollar	30.4+110%	14.5
Release Date	2024	2024

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