EPYC 9255 vs Xeon Platinum 8461V

CPU

GPU

EPYC 9255

24 Cores48 Thrd200 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2024

EPYC family

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Xeon Platinum 8461V

48 Cores96 Thrd300 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2023

Similar parts

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EPYC 9255 vs Xeon Platinum 8461V Performance Spectrum

EPYC 9255

24 / 48

75,809

+1.1%

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 Platinum 8461V

48 / 96

74,982

0.0%

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 9255 vs Xeon Platinum 8461V 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 Platinum 8461V: 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: +14.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+31.3% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 98 MB).
✅Costs $1,996 less on MSRP ($2,495 MSRP vs $4,491 MSRP).
✅Delivers 82.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 30.4 vs 16.7 PassMark/$ ($2,495 MSRP vs $4,491 MSRP).
✅Draws 200W instead of 300W, a 100W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Xeon Platinum 8461V

2023

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 9255 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (74,982 vs 75,809).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (98 MB vs 128 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 16.7 vs 30.4 PassMark/$ ($4,491 MSRP vs $2,495 MSRP).
❌50% higher power demand at 300W vs 200W.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9255 better than Xeon Platinum 8461V?

Yes. EPYC 9255 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 14.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.1% 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 14.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 31.3% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 98 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 $1,996 cheaper on MSRP at $2,495 MSRP versus $4,491 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 82.0% better value on MSRP (30.4 vs 16.7 PassMark/$), 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), 31.3% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 98 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 48 threads instead of 48/96. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 9255 vs Xeon Platinum 8461V 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 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.

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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

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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 — 50% 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	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128+60%	80

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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

At launch, the EPYC 9255 was priced at $2495, while the Xeon Platinum 8461V came in at $4491. On launch pricing ($2495 vs $4491), EPYC 9255 was $1996 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9255 delivers 30.4 pts/$ vs 16.7 pts/$ for the Xeon Platinum 8461V — making the EPYC 9255 the 58.1% better value option.

Feature	EPYC 9255	Xeon Platinum 8461V
MSRP	$2495-44%	$4491
Performance per Dollar	30.4+82%	16.7
Release Date	2024	2023

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