CPU
GPU
Xeon Max 9480
EPYC 9534
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 9534
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Max 9480 | EPYC 9534 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($12,980) | ✅ More affordable ($2,999) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Sapphire Rapids HBM (2023) / 10 nm) | ✨ Modern (Genoa (2022−2023) / 5 nm, 6 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Max 9480 | EPYC 9534 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+365%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($12,980) | ✅ More affordable ($2,999) |
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 9534
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 9534
The EPYC 9534 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 November 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture. It features 64 cores and 128 threads. Base frequency is 2.45 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm, 6 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 280 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 89,077 points. Launch price was $8,803.
Processing Power
The Xeon Max 9480 packs 56 cores / 112 threads, while the EPYC 9534 offers 64 cores / 128 threads — the EPYC 9534 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Max 9480 versus 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9534 — a 5.6% clock advantage for the EPYC 9534 (base: 1.9 GHz vs 2.45 GHz). The Xeon Max 9480 uses the Sapphire Rapids HBM (2023) architecture (10 nm), while the EPYC 9534 uses Genoa (2022−2023) (5 nm, 6 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Max 9480 scores 82,913 against the EPYC 9534's 89,077 — a 7.2% lead for the EPYC 9534. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,900 vs 1,650, a 14.1% lead for the Xeon Max 9480 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 55,000 vs 15,500 (112.1% advantage for the Xeon Max 9480). L3 cache: 112.5 MB on the Xeon Max 9480 vs 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9534.
| Feature | Xeon Max 9480 | EPYC 9534 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 56 / 112 | 64 / 128+14% |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz | 3.7 GHz+6% |
| Base Clock | 1.9 GHz | 2.45 GHz+29% |
| L3 Cache | 112.5 MB | 256 MB (total)+128% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core)+100% | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 10 nm | 5 nm, 6 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Sapphire Rapids HBM (2023) | Genoa (2022−2023) |
| PassMark | 82,913 | 89,077+7% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,900+15% | 1,650 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 55,000+255% | 15,500 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon Max 9480 uses the LGA4677 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the EPYC 9534 uses SP5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. The EPYC 9534 supports up to 6144 GB of RAM compared to 4096 GB — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (Xeon Max 9480) vs 12 (EPYC 9534). PCIe lanes: 80 (Xeon Max 9480) vs 128 (EPYC 9534) — the EPYC 9534 offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C741 (Xeon Max 9480) and SP5 (EPYC 9534).
| Feature | Xeon Max 9480 | EPYC 9534 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA4677 | SP5 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0+25% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800 | DDR5-4800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4096 GB | 6144 GB+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. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Max 9480) vs AMD-V, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9534). Primary use case: Xeon Max 9480 targets HPC Server, EPYC 9534 targets Server. Direct competitor: Xeon Max 9480 rivals EPYC 9684X; EPYC 9534 rivals Xeon Platinum 8470.
| Feature | Xeon Max 9480 | EPYC 9534 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | None |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | AMD-V, SEV-SNP |
| Target Use | HPC Server | Server |
Value Analysis
The Xeon Max 9480 launched at $12980 MSRP, while the EPYC 9534 debuted at $8803. At current prices ($12980 vs $2999), the EPYC 9534 is $9981 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Max 9480 delivers 6.4 pts/$ vs 29.7 pts/$ for the EPYC 9534 — making the EPYC 9534 the 129.2% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon Max 9480 | EPYC 9534 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $12980 | $8803-32% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $12980 | $2999-77% |
| Performance per Dollar | 6.4 | 29.7+364% |
| Release Date | 2023 | 2022 |
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