Xeon Gold 6242R vs EPYC 7303P
Xeon Gold 6242R
EPYC 7303P
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 6242R
Performance Per Dollar EPYC 7303P
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6242R | EPYC 7303P |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($779) | ✅ More affordable ($594) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Cascade Lake (2019−2020) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Milan (2021−2023) / 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6242R | EPYC 7303P |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+33%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($779) | ✅ More affordable ($594) |
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 6242R and EPYC 7303P
Xeon Gold 6242R
The Xeon Gold 6242R is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 35.75 MB. L2 cache: 20 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 36,011 points. Launch price was $2,529.
EPYC 7303P
The EPYC 7303P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 September 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Milan (2021−2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 36,487 points. Launch price was $594.
Processing Power
The Xeon Gold 6242R packs 20 cores / 40 threads, while the EPYC 7303P offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Xeon Gold 6242R has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6242R versus 3.4 GHz on the EPYC 7303P — a 18.7% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6242R (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6242R uses the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the EPYC 7303P uses Milan (2021−2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6242R scores 36,011 against the EPYC 7303P's 36,487 — a 1.3% lead for the EPYC 7303P. L3 cache: 35.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6242R vs 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 7303P.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6242R | EPYC 7303P |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 20 / 40+25% | 16 / 32 |
| Boost Clock | 4.1 GHz+21% | 3.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.1 GHz+29% | 2.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 35.75 MB | 64 MB (total)+79% |
| L2 Cache | 20 MB+3900% | 512 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 7 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Cascade Lake (2019−2020) | Milan (2021−2023) |
| PassMark | 36,011 | 36,487+1% |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon Gold 6242R uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the EPYC 7303P uses SP3 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2933 on the Xeon Gold 6242R versus 3200 on the EPYC 7303P — the EPYC 7303P supports 8.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7303P supports up to 4096 of RAM compared to 1024 — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 6 (Xeon Gold 6242R) vs 8 (EPYC 7303P). PCIe lanes: 48 (Xeon Gold 6242R) vs 128 (EPYC 7303P) — the EPYC 7303P offers 80 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621 (Xeon Gold 6242R) and SP3 (EPYC 7303P).
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6242R | EPYC 7303P |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA3647 | SP3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | 2933 | 3200+9% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 1024 | 4096+300% |
| RAM Channels | 6 | 8+33% |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 48 | 128+167% |
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 (Xeon Gold 6242R) vs AMD-V, IOMMU (EPYC 7303P). Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6242R rivals EPYC 7302; EPYC 7303P rivals Xeon Gold 6330.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6242R | EPYC 7303P |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | None |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | AMD-V, IOMMU |
Value Analysis
The Xeon Gold 6242R launched at $2977 MSRP, while the EPYC 7303P debuted at $594. At current prices ($779 vs $594), the EPYC 7303P is $185 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6242R delivers 46.2 pts/$ vs 61.4 pts/$ for the EPYC 7303P — making the EPYC 7303P the 28.2% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6242R | EPYC 7303P |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $2977 | $594-80% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $779 | $594-24% |
| Performance per Dollar | 46.2 | 61.4+33% |
| Release Date | 2020 | 2023 |
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