EPYC 9255 vs Xeon Gold 6548Y+

AMD

EPYC 9255

24 Cores48 Thrd200 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2024
EPYC family
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VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 6548Y+

32 Cores64 Thrd250 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2023
Similar parts
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EPYC 9255 vs Xeon Gold 6548Y+ Performance Spectrum

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 Gold 6548Y+ 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 Gold 6548Y+: 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: +18.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $1,231 less on MSRP ($2,495 MSRP vs $3,726 MSRP).
  • Delivers 54.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 30.4 vs 19.7 PassMark/$ ($2,495 MSRP vs $3,726 MSRP).
  • Draws 200W instead of 250W, a 50W reduction.
  • 60% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 80) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Xeon Gold 6548Y+

2023

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 9255 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Lower PassMark (73,387 vs 75,809).
    • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.7 vs 30.4 PassMark/$ ($3,726 MSRP vs $2,495 MSRP).
    • 25% higher power demand at 250W vs 200W.

    Quick Answers

    So, is EPYC 9255 better than Xeon Gold 6548Y+?
    Yes. EPYC 9255 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 18.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 3.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
    Which one is better for gaming?
    If gaming is the priority, EPYC 9255 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 18.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 128 MB versus 60 MB.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9255 is the stronger fit. You are getting 3.3% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 113.3% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 60 MB).
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    EPYC 9255 is the better buy right now. EPYC 9255 comes in $1,231 cheaper on MSRP at $2,495 MSRP versus $3,726 MSRP, and it still gives you a 18.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 54.3% better value on MSRP (30.4 vs 19.7 PassMark/$), 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 9255 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2023), 3D V-Cache and a much larger 128 MB L3 cache instead of 60 MB, and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 48 threads instead of 32/64. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

    EPYC 9255 vs Xeon Gold 6548Y+ Technical Specifications

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

    AMD

    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.

    Intel

    Xeon Gold 6548Y+

    The Xeon Gold 6548Y+ 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 60 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 250 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 73,387 points. Launch price was $3,726.

    Processing Power

    The EPYC 9255 packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6548Y+ offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the Xeon Gold 6548Y+ has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the EPYC 9255 versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6548Y+ — a 15.7% clock advantage for the EPYC 9255 (base: 3.25 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The EPYC 9255 uses the Turin (2024) architecture (4 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6548Y+ uses Emerald Rapids (2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9255 scores 75,809 against the Xeon Gold 6548Y+'s 73,387 — a 3.2% lead for the EPYC 9255. L3 cache: 128 MB (total) on the EPYC 9255 vs 60 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6548Y+.

    FeatureEPYC 9255Xeon Gold 6548Y+
    Cores / Threads
    24 / 48
    32 / 64+33%
    Boost Clock
    4.8 GHz+17%
    4.1 GHz
    Base Clock
    3.25 GHz+30%
    2.5 GHz
    L3 Cache
    128 MB (total)+113%
    60 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    1 MB (per core)
    2 MB (per core)+100%
    Process
    4 nm-60%
    10 nm
    Architecture
    Turin (2024)
    Emerald Rapids (2023)
    PassMark
    75,809+3%
    73,387
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The EPYC 9255 uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Gold 6548Y+ uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the EPYC 9255 versus 5200 on the Xeon Gold 6548Y+ — the Xeon Gold 6548Y+ supports 8.3% 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 Gold 6548Y+). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9255) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 6548Y+) — the EPYC 9255 offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9255) and C741 (Xeon Gold 6548Y+).

    FeatureEPYC 9255Xeon Gold 6548Y+
    Socket
    SP5
    LGA4677
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 5.0
    PCIe 5.0
    Max RAM Speed
    4800
    5200+8%
    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 (Xeon Gold 6548Y+). Direct competitor: EPYC 9255 rivals Xeon Platinum 8480+; Xeon Gold 6548Y+ rivals EPYC 9454.

    FeatureEPYC 9255Xeon Gold 6548Y+
    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
    💰

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the EPYC 9255 was priced at $2495, while the Xeon Gold 6548Y+ came in at $3726. On launch pricing ($2495 vs $3726), EPYC 9255 was $1231 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9255 delivers 30.4 pts/$ vs 19.7 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6548Y+ — making the EPYC 9255 the 42.7% better value option.

    FeatureEPYC 9255Xeon Gold 6548Y+
    MSRP
    $2495-33%
    $3726
    Performance per Dollar
    30.4+54%
    19.7
    Release Date
    2024
    2023

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