EPYC 9354 vs Xeon Platinum 8461V

CPU

GPU

EPYC 9354

32 Cores64 Thrd280 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2022

EPYC family

·······

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Xeon Platinum 8461V

48 Cores96 Thrd300 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2023

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EPYC 9354 vs Xeon Platinum 8461V Performance Spectrum

EPYC 9354

32 / 64

73,892

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

Xeon Platinum 8461V

48 / 96

74,982

+1.5%

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 9354 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 9354 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 9354

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+162.6% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 98 MB).
✅Costs $1,071 less on MSRP ($3,420 MSRP vs $4,491 MSRP).
✅Delivers 29.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 21.6 vs 16.7 PassMark/$ ($3,420 MSRP vs $4,491 MSRP).
✅Draws 280W instead of 300W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (73,892 vs 74,982).

Xeon Platinum 8461V

2023

Why buy it

✅+1.5% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 9354 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (98 MB vs 256 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 16.7 vs 21.6 PassMark/$ ($4,491 MSRP vs $3,420 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9354 better than Xeon Platinum 8461V?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, EPYC 9354 is ahead with a 6.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Platinum 8461V pulls ahead with 1.5% better PassMark. EPYC 9354 also has the bigger cache pool with 162.6% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 98 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Platinum 8461V is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 48 cores and 96 threads.

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

EPYC 9354 is the better buy right now. EPYC 9354 comes in $1,071 cheaper on MSRP at $3,420 MSRP versus $4,491 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Platinum 8461V is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.5% better PassMark. It is also 29.4% better value on MSRP (21.6 vs 16.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon Platinum 8461V 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 48 cores / 96 threads instead of 32/64. That extra cache should keep paying off in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

EPYC 9354 vs Xeon Platinum 8461V Technical Specifications

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

EPYC 9354

The EPYC 9354 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 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 3.25 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 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): 280 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 73,892 points. Launch price was $3,420.

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 9354 packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Xeon Platinum 8461V offers 48 cores / 96 threads — the Xeon Platinum 8461V has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the EPYC 9354 versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8461V — a 2.7% clock advantage for the EPYC 9354 (base: 3.25 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The EPYC 9354 uses the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture (5 nm, 6 nm), while the Xeon Platinum 8461V uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9354 scores 73,892 against the Xeon Platinum 8461V's 74,982 — a 1.5% lead for the Xeon Platinum 8461V. L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9354 vs 97.5 MB on the Xeon Platinum 8461V.

Feature	EPYC 9354	Xeon Platinum 8461V
Cores / Threads	32 / 64	48 / 96+50%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+3%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.25 GHz+48%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	256 MB (total)+163%	97.5 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	73,892	74,982+1%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 9354 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 9354 supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 4096 — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9354) vs 8 (Xeon Platinum 8461V). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9354) vs 80 (Xeon Platinum 8461V) — the EPYC 9354 offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9354) and C741 (Xeon Platinum 8461V).

Feature	EPYC 9354	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

🔧

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 9354) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Platinum 8461V). Direct competitor: EPYC 9354 rivals Xeon Platinum 8468; Xeon Platinum 8461V rivals EPYC 9454.

Feature	EPYC 9354	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 9354 was priced at $3420, while the Xeon Platinum 8461V came in at $4491. On launch pricing ($3420 vs $4491), EPYC 9354 was $1071 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9354 delivers 21.6 pts/$ vs 16.7 pts/$ for the Xeon Platinum 8461V — making the EPYC 9354 the 25.6% better value option.

Feature	EPYC 9354	Xeon Platinum 8461V
MSRP	$3420-24%	$4491
Performance per Dollar	21.6+29%	16.7
Release Date	2022	2023

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