M2 vs EPYC 7301
M2
EPYC 7301
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 M2
Performance Per Dollar EPYC 7301
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | M2 | EPYC 7301 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 5 nm) | ✨ Modern (Naples (2017−2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | M2 | EPYC 7301 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 M2 and EPYC 7301
M2
The M2 is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 10 June 2022 (3 years ago). It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.424 GHz, with boost up to 3.48 GHz. L2 cache: 20 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 20 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 14,933 points. Launch price was $149.
EPYC 7301
The EPYC 7301 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 29 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Naples (2017−2018) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 170 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 14,991 points. Launch price was $825.
Processing Power
The M2 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the EPYC 7301 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the EPYC 7301 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.48 GHz on the M2 versus 2.7 GHz on the EPYC 7301 — a 25.2% clock advantage for the M2 (base: 2.424 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The EPYC 7301 is built on the Naples (2017−2018) architecture. In PassMark, the M2 scores 14,933 against the EPYC 7301's 14,991 — a 0.4% lead for the EPYC 7301.
| Feature | M2 | EPYC 7301 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 8 | 16 / 32+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.48 GHz+29% | 2.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.424 GHz+10% | 2.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 64 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 20 MB+3900% | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 5 nm-64% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | — | Naples (2017−2018) |
| PassMark | 14,933 | 14,991 |
Memory & Platform
The M2 uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the EPYC 7301 uses TR4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | M2 | EPYC 7301 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | none | TR4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
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