Xeon 6780E vs Xeon Max 9480

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.

Xeon 6780E vs Xeon Max 9480 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.

Xeon 6780E vs Xeon Max 9480: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Xeon 6780E

2024

Why buy it

✅+4.6% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $1,630 less on MSRP ($11,350 MSRP vs $12,980 MSRP).
✅Delivers 19.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 7.6 vs 6.4 PassMark/$ ($11,350 MSRP vs $12,980 MSRP).
✅Draws 330W instead of 350W, a 20W reduction.
✅10% more PCIe lanes (88 vs 80) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Max 9480 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Max 9480

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (82,913 vs 86,734).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.4 vs 7.6 PassMark/$ ($12,980 MSRP vs $11,350 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon 6780E better than Xeon Max 9480?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Max 9480 is ahead with a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon 6780E pulls ahead with 4.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon 6780E is the stronger fit. You are getting 4.6% better PassMark, backed by 144 cores and 144 threads.

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

Xeon 6780E is the better buy right now. Xeon 6780E comes in $1,630 cheaper on MSRP at $11,350 MSRP versus $12,980 MSRP, and it still gives you 4.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon Max 9480 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 19.6% better value on MSRP (7.6 vs 6.4 PassMark/$), 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 6780E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2023) and more multi-core headroom with 144 cores / 144 threads instead of 56/112. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Xeon 6780E vs Xeon Max 9480 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon 6780E

The Xeon 6780E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Sierra Forest (2024) architecture. It features 144 cores and 144 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 108 MB (total). L2 cache: 4 MB (per module). Built on Intel 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4710. Thermal design power (TDP): 330 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 86,734 points. Launch price was $11,350.

Xeon Max 9480

The Xeon Max 9480 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids HBM (2023) architecture. It features 56 cores and 112 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 112.5 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 350 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 82,913 points. Launch price was $12,980.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon 6780E packs 144 cores / 144 threads, while the Xeon Max 9480 offers 56 cores / 112 threads — the Xeon 6780E has 88 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Xeon 6780E versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Max 9480 — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Xeon Max 9480 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Xeon 6780E uses the Sierra Forest (2024) architecture (Intel 3 nm), while the Xeon Max 9480 uses Sapphire Rapids HBM (2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon 6780E scores 86,734 against the Xeon Max 9480's 82,913 — a 4.5% lead for the Xeon 6780E. L3 cache: 108 MB (total) on the Xeon 6780E vs 112.5 MB on the Xeon Max 9480.

Feature	Xeon 6780E	Xeon Max 9480
Cores / Threads	144 / 144+157%	56 / 112
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.5 GHz+17%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz+16%	1.9 GHz
L3 Cache	108 MB (total)	112.5 MB+4%
L2 Cache	4 MB (per module)+100%	2 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 3 nm-70%	10 nm
Architecture	Sierra Forest (2024)	Sapphire Rapids HBM (2023)
PassMark	86,734+5%	82,913
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,900
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	55,000

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon 6780E uses the LGA4710 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Max 9480 uses LGA4677 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-6400 on the Xeon 6780E versus DDR5-4800 on the Xeon Max 9480 — the Xeon 6780E supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 4 TB of RAM. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 88 (Xeon 6780E) vs 80 (Xeon Max 9480) — the Xeon 6780E offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Xeon 6780E	Xeon Max 9480
Socket	LGA4710	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6400+33%	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	4 TB	4096 GB
RAM Channels	8	8
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	88+10%	80

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, VT-x EPT (Xeon 6780E) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Max 9480). Primary use case: Xeon 6780E targets Cloud Native Compute, Xeon Max 9480 targets HPC Server. Direct competitor: Xeon 6780E rivals EPYC 9754; Xeon Max 9480 rivals EPYC 9684X.

Feature	Xeon 6780E	Xeon Max 9480
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, VT-x EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Cloud Native Compute	HPC Server

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon 6780E was priced at $11350, while the Xeon Max 9480 came in at $12980. On launch pricing ($11350 vs $12980), Xeon 6780E was $1630 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon 6780E delivers 7.6 pts/$ vs 6.4 pts/$ for the Xeon Max 9480 — making the Xeon 6780E the 17.9% better value option.

Feature	Xeon 6780E	Xeon Max 9480
MSRP	$11350-13%	$12980
Performance per Dollar	7.6+19%	6.4
Release Date	2024	2023

Search Xeon 6780E on Amazon

Search Xeon Max 9480 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.