Xeon Gold 5420+ vs EPYC 9135
Xeon Gold 5420+
EPYC 9135
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 Xeon Gold 5420+
Performance Per Dollar EPYC 9135
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Gold 5420+ | EPYC 9135 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,848) | ✅ More affordable ($95) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) / 10 nm) | ✨ Modern (Turin (2024) / 4 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Gold 5420+ | EPYC 9135 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+1832%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,848) | ✅ More affordable ($95) |
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 Xeon Gold 5420+ and EPYC 9135
Xeon Gold 5420+
The Xeon Gold 5420+ 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 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 52.5 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 58,209 points. Launch price was $1,848.
EPYC 9135
The EPYC 9135 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Turin (2024) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.65 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 64 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: 57,808 points. Launch price was $1,214.
Processing Power
The Xeon Gold 5420+ packs 28 cores / 56 threads, while the EPYC 9135 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Xeon Gold 5420+ has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5420+ versus 4.3 GHz on the EPYC 9135 — a 4.8% clock advantage for the EPYC 9135 (base: 2 GHz vs 3.65 GHz). The Xeon Gold 5420+ uses the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture (10 nm), while the EPYC 9135 uses Turin (2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 5420+ scores 58,209 against the EPYC 9135's 57,808 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon Gold 5420+. L3 cache: 52.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 5420+ vs 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 9135.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 5420+ | EPYC 9135 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 28 / 56+75% | 16 / 32 |
| Boost Clock | 4.1 GHz | 4.3 GHz+5% |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz | 3.65 GHz+83% |
| L3 Cache | 52.5 MB | 64 MB (total)+22% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core)+100% | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 10 nm | 4 nm-60% |
| Architecture | Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) | Turin (2024) |
| PassMark | 58,209 | 57,808 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon Gold 5420+ uses the LGA4677 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the EPYC 9135 uses SP5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the Xeon Gold 5420+ versus 6000 on the EPYC 9135 — the EPYC 9135 supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9135 supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 4096 — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (Xeon Gold 5420+) vs 12 (EPYC 9135). PCIe lanes: 80 (Xeon Gold 5420+) vs 128 (EPYC 9135) — the EPYC 9135 offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C741 (Xeon Gold 5420+) and SP5 (EPYC 9135).
| Feature | Xeon Gold 5420+ | EPYC 9135 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA4677 | SP5 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0+25% |
| Max RAM Speed | 4800 | 6000+25% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4096 | 6144+50% |
| RAM Channels | 8 | 12+50% |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 80 | 128+60% |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 5420+ rivals EPYC 9354; EPYC 9135 rivals Xeon Platinum 8558P.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 5420+ | EPYC 9135 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | None |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
Value Analysis
The Xeon Gold 5420+ launched at $1848 MSRP, while the EPYC 9135 debuted at $1214. At current prices ($1848 vs $95), the EPYC 9135 is $1753 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 5420+ delivers 31.5 pts/$ vs 608.5 pts/$ for the EPYC 9135 — making the EPYC 9135 the 180.3% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 5420+ | EPYC 9135 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1848 | $1214-34% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $1848 | $95-95% |
| Performance per Dollar | 31.5 | 608.5+1832% |
| Release Date | 2023 | 2024 |
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