Xeon Platinum 8280 vs EPYC 7303P
Xeon Platinum 8280
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 Platinum 8280
Performance Per Dollar EPYC 7303P
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Platinum 8280 | EPYC 7303P |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($2,940) | ✅ More affordable ($594) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Cascade Lake-SP (2018) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Milan (2021−2023) / 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Platinum 8280 | EPYC 7303P |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+390%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($2,940) | ✅ 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 Platinum 8280 and EPYC 7303P
Xeon Platinum 8280
The Xeon Platinum 8280 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 December 2018 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake-SP (2018) architecture. It features 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 38.5 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 36,830 points. Launch price was $10,009.
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 Platinum 8280 packs 28 cores / 56 threads, while the EPYC 7303P offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Xeon Platinum 8280 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8280 versus 3.4 GHz on the EPYC 7303P — a 16.2% clock advantage for the Xeon Platinum 8280 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Xeon Platinum 8280 uses the Cascade Lake-SP (2018) architecture (14 nm), while the EPYC 7303P uses Milan (2021−2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Platinum 8280 scores 36,830 against the EPYC 7303P's 36,487 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon Platinum 8280. L3 cache: 38.5 MB (total) on the Xeon Platinum 8280 vs 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 7303P.
| Feature | Xeon Platinum 8280 | EPYC 7303P |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 28 / 56+75% | 16 / 32 |
| Boost Clock | 4 GHz+18% | 3.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.7 GHz+13% | 2.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 38.5 MB (total) | 64 MB (total)+66% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core)+100% | 512 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 7 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Cascade Lake-SP (2018) | Milan (2021−2023) |
| PassMark | 36,830 | 36,487 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon Platinum 8280 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 Platinum 8280 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 1536 — 90.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 6 (Xeon Platinum 8280) vs 8 (EPYC 7303P). PCIe lanes: 48 (Xeon Platinum 8280) vs 128 (EPYC 7303P) — the EPYC 7303P offers 80 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA3647 (Xeon Platinum 8280) and SP3 (EPYC 7303P).
| Feature | Xeon Platinum 8280 | EPYC 7303P |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA3647 | SP3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | 2933 | 3200+9% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 1536 | 4096+167% |
| 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 Platinum 8280) vs AMD-V, IOMMU (EPYC 7303P). Direct competitor: Xeon Platinum 8280 rivals EPYC 7702; EPYC 7303P rivals Xeon Gold 6330.
| Feature | Xeon Platinum 8280 | 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 Platinum 8280 launched at $10009 MSRP, while the EPYC 7303P debuted at $594. At current prices ($2940 vs $594), the EPYC 7303P is $2346 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Platinum 8280 delivers 12.5 pts/$ vs 61.4 pts/$ for the EPYC 7303P — making the EPYC 7303P the 132.2% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon Platinum 8280 | EPYC 7303P |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $10009 | $594-94% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $2940 | $594-80% |
| Performance per Dollar | 12.5 | 61.4+391% |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2023 |
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