Xeon Max 9480 vs EPYC 7663
Xeon Max 9480
EPYC 7663
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 Max 9480
Performance Per Dollar EPYC 7663
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Max 9480 | EPYC 7663 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($12,980) | ✅ More affordable ($6,366) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Sapphire Rapids HBM (2023) / 10 nm) | ✨ Modern (Milan (2021−2023) / 7 nm+) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Max 9480 | EPYC 7663 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+102%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($12,980) | ✅ More affordable ($6,366) |
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 Max 9480 and EPYC 7663
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.
EPYC 7663
The EPYC 7663 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 15 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Milan (2021−2023) architecture. It features 56 cores and 112 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm+ process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 240 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 82,120 points. Launch price was $6,366.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon Max 9480 and EPYC 7663 share an identical 56-core/112-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Max 9480 versus 3.5 GHz on the EPYC 7663 — identical boost frequencies (base: 1.9 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Xeon Max 9480 uses the Sapphire Rapids HBM (2023) architecture (10 nm), while the EPYC 7663 uses Milan (2021−2023) (7 nm+). In PassMark, the Xeon Max 9480 scores 82,913 against the EPYC 7663's 82,120 — a 1% lead for the Xeon Max 9480. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,900 vs 1,370, a 32.4% lead for the Xeon Max 9480 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 55,000 vs 12,380 (126.5% advantage for the Xeon Max 9480). L3 cache: 112.5 MB on the Xeon Max 9480 vs 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 7663.
| Feature | Xeon Max 9480 | EPYC 7663 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 56 / 112 | 56 / 112 |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz | 3.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.9 GHz | 2 GHz+5% |
| L3 Cache | 112.5 MB | 256 MB (total)+128% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core)+300% | 512 kB (per core) |
| Process | 10 nm | 7 nm+-30% |
| Architecture | Sapphire Rapids HBM (2023) | Milan (2021−2023) |
| PassMark | 82,913 | 82,120 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,900+39% | 1,370 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 55,000+344% | 12,380 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon Max 9480 uses the LGA4677 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the EPYC 7663 uses SP3 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Xeon Max 9480 versus DDR4-3200 on the EPYC 7663 — the Xeon Max 9480 supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 4096 GB of RAM. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 80 (Xeon Max 9480) vs 128 (EPYC 7663) — the EPYC 7663 offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C741 (Xeon Max 9480) and SP3 (EPYC 7663).
| Feature | Xeon Max 9480 | EPYC 7663 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA4677 | SP3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800+25% | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4096 GB | 4096 GB |
| RAM Channels | 8 | 8 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 80 | 128+60% |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon Max 9480 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Max 9480) vs AMD-V (EPYC 7663). Primary use case: Xeon Max 9480 targets HPC Server, EPYC 7663 targets Server. Direct competitor: Xeon Max 9480 rivals EPYC 9684X; EPYC 7663 rivals Xeon Platinum 8380.
| Feature | Xeon Max 9480 | EPYC 7663 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | None |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | AMD-V |
| Target Use | HPC Server | Server |
Value Analysis
The Xeon Max 9480 launched at $12980 MSRP, while the EPYC 7663 debuted at $6366. At current prices ($12980 vs $6366), the EPYC 7663 is $6614 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Max 9480 delivers 6.4 pts/$ vs 12.9 pts/$ for the EPYC 7663 — making the EPYC 7663 the 67.5% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon Max 9480 | EPYC 7663 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $12980 | $6366-51% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $12980 | $6366-51% |
| Performance per Dollar | 6.4 | 12.9+102% |
| Release Date | 2023 | 2021 |
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