EPYC 9255 vs Xeon Platinum 8461V
EPYC 9255
Xeon Platinum 8461V
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar EPYC 9255
Performance Per Dollar Xeon Platinum 8461V
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | EPYC 9255 | Xeon Platinum 8461V |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($1,934) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($4,491) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Turin (2024) / 4 nm) | ✨ Modern (Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | EPYC 9255 | Xeon Platinum 8461V |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+135%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($1,934) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($4,491) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of EPYC 9255 and Xeon Platinum 8461V
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 Platinum 8461V
The Xeon Platinum 8461V 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 48 cores and 96 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 97.5 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 300 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 74,982 points. Launch price was $4,491.
Processing Power
The EPYC 9255 packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Xeon Platinum 8461V offers 48 cores / 96 threads — the Xeon Platinum 8461V has 24 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the EPYC 9255 versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8461V — a 25.9% clock advantage for the EPYC 9255 (base: 3.25 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The EPYC 9255 uses the Turin (2024) architecture (4 nm), while the Xeon Platinum 8461V uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9255 scores 75,809 against the Xeon Platinum 8461V's 74,982 — a 1.1% lead for the EPYC 9255. L3 cache: 128 MB (total) on the EPYC 9255 vs 97.5 MB on the Xeon Platinum 8461V.
| Feature | EPYC 9255 | Xeon Platinum 8461V |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 24 / 48 | 48 / 96+100% |
| Boost Clock | 4.8 GHz+30% | 3.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.25 GHz+48% | 2.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 128 MB (total)+31% | 97.5 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 | 75,809+1% | 74,982 |
Memory & Platform
The EPYC 9255 uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Platinum 8461V uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to 4800 memory speed. The EPYC 9255 supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 4096 — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9255) vs 8 (Xeon Platinum 8461V). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9255) vs 80 (Xeon Platinum 8461V) — the EPYC 9255 offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9255) and C741 (Xeon Platinum 8461V).
| Feature | EPYC 9255 | Xeon Platinum 8461V |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | SP5 | LGA4677 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 4800 | 4800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 6144+50% | 4096 |
| RAM Channels | 12+50% | 8 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| 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 Platinum 8461V). Direct competitor: EPYC 9255 rivals Xeon Platinum 8480+; Xeon Platinum 8461V rivals EPYC 9454.
| Feature | EPYC 9255 | Xeon Platinum 8461V |
|---|---|---|
| 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
The EPYC 9255 launched at $2495 MSRP, while the Xeon Platinum 8461V debuted at $4491. At current prices ($1934 vs $4491), the EPYC 9255 is $2557 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9255 delivers 39.2 pts/$ vs 16.7 pts/$ for the Xeon Platinum 8461V — making the EPYC 9255 the 80.5% better value option.
| Feature | EPYC 9255 | Xeon Platinum 8461V |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $2495-44% | $4491 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $1934-57% | $4491 |
| Performance per Dollar | 39.2+135% | 16.7 |
| Release Date | 2024 | 2023 |
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