Core Ultra 5 238V vs EPYC 4124P

Intel

Core Ultra 5 238V

8 Cores8 Thrd17 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2024

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

EPYC 4124P

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2024

Popular choices:

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core Ultra 5 238V

2024

Why buy it

  • Draws 17W instead of 65W, a 48W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 4124P across 6 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (10,000 vs 10,500).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 4124P, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads and 28 PCIe lanes.
  • Launch MSRP is still $454 MSRP, while EPYC 4124P mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

EPYC 4124P

2024

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +18.2% higher average FPS across 6 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads, plus 28 PCIe lanes vs 8.
  • 250% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 282.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 17W.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 4124P better than Core Ultra 5 238V?
Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. EPYC 4124P makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core Ultra 5 238V is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, EPYC 4124P is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 18.2% more average FPS across 6 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 4124P is the better fit. You are getting 5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
EPYC 4124P is the smarter buy by a wide margin for any fresh desktop build. EPYC 4124P is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $454 MSRP, and it gives you a 18.2% average FPS lead across 6 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core Ultra 5 238V only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop CPU, not because it is a serious desktop gaming option. It simply cannot keep up with modern games, especially when the gap is already 18.2% in the shared gaming data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
EPYC 4124P is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB), more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 8/8, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetCore Ultra 5 238VEPYC 4124P
1080p
low180 FPS245 FPS
medium147 FPS227 FPS
high120 FPS196 FPS
ultra98 FPS169 FPS
1440p
low148 FPS217 FPS
medium118 FPS181 FPS
high96 FPS150 FPS
ultra79 FPS132 FPS
4K
low83 FPS151 FPS
medium71 FPS127 FPS
high57 FPS98 FPS
ultra45 FPS85 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetCore Ultra 5 238VEPYC 4124P
1080p
low212 FPS453 FPS
medium176 FPS417 FPS
high158 FPS349 FPS
ultra139 FPS308 FPS
1440p
low181 FPS430 FPS
medium154 FPS368 FPS
high142 FPS311 FPS
ultra122 FPS264 FPS
4K
low137 FPS246 FPS
medium122 FPS216 FPS
high115 FPS189 FPS
ultra100 FPS160 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetCore Ultra 5 238VEPYC 4124P
1080p
low455 FPS453 FPS
medium455 FPS453 FPS
high455 FPS453 FPS
ultra455 FPS453 FPS
1440p
low455 FPS453 FPS
medium455 FPS453 FPS
high455 FPS453 FPS
ultra455 FPS453 FPS
4K
low455 FPS453 FPS
medium455 FPS453 FPS
high404 FPS403 FPS
ultra336 FPS338 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetCore Ultra 5 238VEPYC 4124P
1080p
low455 FPS453 FPS
medium455 FPS453 FPS
high455 FPS453 FPS
ultra455 FPS453 FPS
1440p
low455 FPS453 FPS
medium455 FPS453 FPS
high455 FPS453 FPS
ultra455 FPS453 FPS
4K
low455 FPS453 FPS
medium455 FPS453 FPS
high455 FPS453 FPS
ultra418 FPS434 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core Ultra 5 238V and EPYC 4124P

Intel

Core Ultra 5 238V

The Core Ultra 5 238V is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 September 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 2.5 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2833. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 18,219 points. Launch price was $299.

AMD

EPYC 4124P

The EPYC 4124P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 21 May 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raphael (2023−2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 18,139 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 238V packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the EPYC 4124P offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core Ultra 5 238V has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 238V versus 5.1 GHz on the EPYC 4124P — a 8.2% clock advantage for the EPYC 4124P (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 238V uses the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture (3 nm), while the EPYC 4124P uses Raphael (2023−2025) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 238V scores 18,219 against the EPYC 4124P's 18,139 — a 0.4% lead for the Core Ultra 5 238V. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 10,000 vs 10,500 (4.9% advantage for the EPYC 4124P). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,683 vs 1,962, a 31% lead for the Core Ultra 5 238V that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 10,130 vs 1,898 (136.9% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 238V). L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 238V vs 32 MB (total) on the EPYC 4124P.

FeatureCore Ultra 5 238VEPYC 4124P
Cores / Threads
8 / 8+100%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4.7 GHz
5.1 GHz+9%
Base Clock
2.1 GHz
3.8 GHz+81%
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)
32 MB (total)+300%
L2 Cache
2.5 MB (per core)+150%
1 MB (per core)
Process
3 nm-40%
5 nm
Architecture
Lunar Lake (2024)
Raphael (2023−2025)
PassMark
18,219
18,139
Cinebench R23 Multi
10,000
10,500+5%
Geekbench 6 Single
2,683+37%
1,962
Geekbench 6 Multi
10,130+434%
1,898
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 238V uses the FCBGA2833 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the EPYC 4124P uses AM5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to LPDDR5x-8533 memory speed. The EPYC 4124P supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB 142.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (Core Ultra 5 238V) vs 28 (EPYC 4124P) — the EPYC 4124P offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Core Ultra 5 238V) and B650,X670,X870 (EPYC 4124P).

FeatureCore Ultra 5 238VEPYC 4124P
Socket
FCBGA2833
AM5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
LPDDR5x-8533
DDR5-5200
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
192 GB+500%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
8
28+250%
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the EPYC 4124P supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 238V) vs AMD-V, AMD-Vi (EPYC 4124P). Both include integrated graphics Arc Graphics 130V (Core Ultra 5 238V) and Radeon Graphics (EPYC 4124P) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 5 238V targets Productivity, EPYC 4124P targets Entry Server. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 238V rivals Ryzen 5 8640U; EPYC 4124P rivals Core i5-10500T.

FeatureCore Ultra 5 238VEPYC 4124P
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Arc Graphics 130V
Radeon Graphics
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V, AMD-Vi
Target Use
Productivity
Entry Server