EPYC 7551P vs M4 Max (14 cores)

CPU

GPU

EPYC 7551P

32 Cores64 Thrd180 WWMax: 3 GHz2017

Popular choices:

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M4 Max (14 cores)

14 Cores14 Thrd4 WWMax: 4.51 GHz2024

Popular choices:

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Performance Spectrum - CPU

EPYC 7551P

32 / 64

38,111

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

M4 Max (14 cores)

14 / 14

38,558

+1.2%

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.

EPYC 7551P

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 32 cores / 64 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (38,111 vs 38,558).
❌Launch MSRP is still $2,100 MSRP, while M4 Max (14 cores) mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌4400% higher power demand at 180W vs 4W.
❌Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while M4 Max (14 cores) moves to none and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while M4 Max (14 cores) can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

M4 Max (14 cores)

2024

Why buy it

✅Draws 4W instead of 180W, a 176W reduction.
✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Apple M4 Max GPU (32-core), while EPYC 7551P needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7551P, which brings 32 cores / 64 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

EPYC 7551P

2017

M4 Max (14 cores)

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 32 cores / 64 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Why buy it

✅Draws 4W instead of 180W, a 176W reduction.
✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Apple M4 Max GPU (32-core), while EPYC 7551P needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (38,111 vs 38,558).
❌Launch MSRP is still $2,100 MSRP, while M4 Max (14 cores) mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌4400% higher power demand at 180W vs 4W.
❌Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while M4 Max (14 cores) moves to none and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while M4 Max (14 cores) can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7551P, which brings 32 cores / 64 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Quick Answers

So, is M4 Max (14 cores) better than EPYC 7551P?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. EPYC 7551P makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while M4 Max (14 cores) 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, M4 Max (14 cores) is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 1.7% more average FPS across 49 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, M4 Max (14 cores) is the better fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 14 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

M4 Max (14 cores) is still the faster CPU overall, but EPYC 7551P makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. M4 Max (14 cores) is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $2,100 MSRP, and it gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. EPYC 7551P is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (18.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

M4 Max (14 cores) is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2017), a healthier platform with none and DDR5 instead of TR4, and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 14 threads instead of 32/64. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

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.

EPYC 7551P Benchmark Check

M4 Max (14 cores) Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	EPYC 7551P	M4 Max (14 cores)
1080p
low	187 FPS	178 FPS
medium	165 FPS	144 FPS
high	132 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	105 FPS	96 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	144 FPS
medium	127 FPS	115 FPS
high	97 FPS	94 FPS
ultra	78 FPS	78 FPS
4K
low	71 FPS	79 FPS
medium	63 FPS	68 FPS
high	48 FPS	55 FPS
ultra	39 FPS	43 FPS

Open EPYC 7551P Open M4 Max (14 cores)

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	EPYC 7551P	M4 Max (14 cores)
1080p
low	207 FPS	464 FPS
medium	188 FPS	382 FPS
high	160 FPS	326 FPS
ultra	131 FPS	285 FPS
1440p
low	178 FPS	399 FPS
medium	163 FPS	342 FPS
high	141 FPS	298 FPS
ultra	111 FPS	252 FPS
4K
low	112 FPS	277 FPS
medium	103 FPS	244 FPS
high	92 FPS	225 FPS
ultra	75 FPS	194 FPS

Open EPYC 7551P Open M4 Max (14 cores)

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	EPYC 7551P	M4 Max (14 cores)
1080p
low	620 FPS	812 FPS
medium	518 FPS	643 FPS
high	466 FPS	582 FPS
ultra	399 FPS	509 FPS
1440p
low	517 FPS	632 FPS
medium	432 FPS	507 FPS
high	378 FPS	459 FPS
ultra	325 FPS	396 FPS
4K
low	383 FPS	456 FPS
medium	308 FPS	360 FPS
high	270 FPS	321 FPS
ultra	220 FPS	254 FPS

Open EPYC 7551P Open M4 Max (14 cores)

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	EPYC 7551P	M4 Max (14 cores)
1080p
low	834 FPS	964 FPS
medium	758 FPS	924 FPS
high	651 FPS	809 FPS
ultra	561 FPS	718 FPS
1440p
low	667 FPS	817 FPS
medium	584 FPS	718 FPS
high	500 FPS	629 FPS
ultra	420 FPS	553 FPS
4K
low	475 FPS	562 FPS
medium	427 FPS	503 FPS
high	375 FPS	453 FPS
ultra	320 FPS	399 FPS

Open EPYC 7551P Open M4 Max (14 cores)

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of EPYC 7551P and M4 Max (14 cores)

EPYC 7551P

The EPYC 7551P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 29 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Naples (2017−2018) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 180 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 38,111 points. Launch price was $2,100.

M4 Max (14 cores)

The M4 Max (14 cores) is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 30 November 2024 (1 year ago). It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 2.59 GHz, with boost up to 4.51 GHz. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5X. Passmark benchmark score: 38,558 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 7551P packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the M4 Max (14 cores) offers 14 cores / 14 threads — the EPYC 7551P has 18 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the EPYC 7551P versus 4.51 GHz on the M4 Max (14 cores) — a 40.2% clock advantage for the M4 Max (14 cores) (base: 2 GHz vs 2.59 GHz). The EPYC 7551P is built on the Naples (2017−2018) architecture. In PassMark, the EPYC 7551P scores 38,111 against the M4 Max (14 cores)'s 38,558 — a 1.2% lead for the M4 Max (14 cores).

Feature	EPYC 7551P	M4 Max (14 cores)
Cores / Threads	32 / 64+129%	14 / 14
Boost Clock	3 GHz	4.51 GHz+50%
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.59 GHz+29%
L3 Cache	64 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	—
Process	14 nm	3 nm-79%
Architecture	Naples (2017−2018)	—
PassMark	38,111	38,558+1%

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Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7551P uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the M4 Max (14 cores) uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2666 on the EPYC 7551P versus 8533 on the M4 Max (14 cores) — the M4 Max (14 cores) supports 104.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7551P supports up to 2048 of RAM compared to 128 — 176.5% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (EPYC 7551P) vs 0 (M4 Max (14 cores)). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7551P) vs 0 (M4 Max (14 cores)) — the EPYC 7551P offers 128 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7551P) and Apple M4 (M4 Max (14 cores)).

Feature	EPYC 7551P	M4 Max (14 cores)
Socket	TR4	none
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	2666	8533+220%
Max RAM Capacity	2048+1500%	128
RAM Channels	8	0
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	128	0

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the EPYC 7551P supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V, IOMMU (EPYC 7551P) vs VT-x, VT-d (macOS) (M4 Max (14 cores)). The M4 Max (14 cores) includes integrated graphics (Apple M4 Max GPU (32-core)), while the EPYC 7551P requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: EPYC 7551P rivals Xeon Platinum 8160; M4 Max (14 cores) rivals Ryzen AI Max PRO 390.