EPYC 7763 vs Xeon Max 9480

AMD

EPYC 7763

64 Cores128 Thrd280 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2021

Popular choices:

VS
Intel

Xeon Max 9480

56 Cores112 Thrd350 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2023

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.

EPYC 7763

2021

Why buy it

  • +1.8% higher PassMark.
  • +127.6% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 113 MB).
  • Costs $5,090 less on MSRP ($7,890 MSRP vs $12,980 MSRP).
  • Delivers 67.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 10.7 vs 6.4 PassMark/$ ($7,890 MSRP vs $12,980 MSRP).
  • Draws 280W instead of 350W, a 70W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Older platform position on SP3 with DDR4, while Xeon Max 9480 moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.
  • No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Max 9480

2023

Why buy it

  • Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of SP3 and DDR4.
  • AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (82,913 vs 84,440).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (113 MB vs 256 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.4 vs 10.7 PassMark/$ ($12,980 MSRP vs $7,890 MSRP).
  • 25% higher power demand at 350W vs 280W.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 7763 better than Xeon Max 9480?
Yes. EPYC 7763 is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 0.6% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.8% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.
Which one is better for gaming?
For gaming, the two CPUs are effectively a wash in the available data.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7763 is the better fit. You are getting 1.8% better PassMark, backed by 64 cores and 128 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 127.6% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 113 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
EPYC 7763 is the smarter buy today. EPYC 7763 is $5,090 cheaper on MSRP at $7,890 MSRP versus $12,980 MSRP, and it gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 67.5% better value on MSRP (10.7 vs 6.4 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon Max 9480 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of SP3, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. 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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetEPYC 7763Xeon Max 9480
1080p
low190 FPS186 FPS
medium155 FPS168 FPS
high123 FPS135 FPS
ultra96 FPS109 FPS
1440p
low156 FPS153 FPS
medium123 FPS129 FPS
high94 FPS98 FPS
ultra75 FPS81 FPS
4K
low72 FPS71 FPS
medium60 FPS63 FPS
high46 FPS48 FPS
ultra38 FPS40 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetEPYC 7763Xeon Max 9480
1080p
low418 FPS246 FPS
medium367 FPS221 FPS
high299 FPS184 FPS
ultra234 FPS146 FPS
1440p
low344 FPS205 FPS
medium310 FPS187 FPS
high259 FPS160 FPS
ultra197 FPS124 FPS
4K
low211 FPS128 FPS
medium194 FPS119 FPS
high163 FPS103 FPS
ultra131 FPS83 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetEPYC 7763Xeon Max 9480
1080p
low836 FPS815 FPS
medium696 FPS738 FPS
high649 FPS704 FPS
ultra573 FPS624 FPS
1440p
low602 FPS725 FPS
medium500 FPS652 FPS
high458 FPS609 FPS
ultra400 FPS548 FPS
4K
low430 FPS487 FPS
medium335 FPS398 FPS
high300 FPS354 FPS
ultra242 FPS294 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetEPYC 7763Xeon Max 9480
1080p
low975 FPS1066 FPS
medium885 FPS953 FPS
high761 FPS813 FPS
ultra655 FPS670 FPS
1440p
low745 FPS885 FPS
medium648 FPS761 FPS
high554 FPS646 FPS
ultra476 FPS532 FPS
4K
low531 FPS644 FPS
medium473 FPS565 FPS
high414 FPS494 FPS
ultra360 FPS413 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of EPYC 7763 and Xeon Max 9480

AMD

EPYC 7763

The EPYC 7763 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 64 cores and 128 threads. Base frequency is 2.45 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): 280 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 84,440 points. Launch price was $7,890.

Intel

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.

Processing Power

The EPYC 7763 packs 64 cores / 128 threads, while the Xeon Max 9480 offers 56 cores / 112 threads — the EPYC 7763 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the EPYC 7763 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Max 9480 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.45 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The EPYC 7763 uses the Milan (2021−2023) architecture (7 nm+), while the Xeon Max 9480 uses Sapphire Rapids HBM (2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7763 scores 84,440 against the Xeon Max 9480's 82,913 — a 1.8% lead for the EPYC 7763. L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 7763 vs 112.5 MB on the Xeon Max 9480.

FeatureEPYC 7763Xeon Max 9480
Cores / Threads
64 / 128+14%
56 / 112
Boost Clock
3.5 GHz
3.5 GHz
Base Clock
2.45 GHz+29%
1.9 GHz
L3 Cache
256 MB (total)+128%
112.5 MB
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)
2 MB (per core)+300%
Process
7 nm+-30%
10 nm
Architecture
Milan (2021−2023)
Sapphire Rapids HBM (2023)
PassMark
84,440+2%
82,913
Geekbench 6 Single
1,900
Geekbench 6 Multi
55,000
🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7763 uses the SP3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Max 9480 uses LGA4677 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the EPYC 7763 versus DDR5-4800 on the Xeon Max 9480 — the EPYC 7763 supports 199.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 4096 of RAM. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7763) vs 80 (Xeon Max 9480) — the EPYC 7763 offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7763) and C741 (Xeon Max 9480).

FeatureEPYC 7763Xeon Max 9480
Socket
SP3
LGA4677
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
3200+63900%
DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity
4096
4096 GB+104857500%
RAM Channels
8
8
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
128+60%
80
🔧

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, SEV (EPYC 7763) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Max 9480). Primary use case: Xeon Max 9480 targets HPC Server. Direct competitor: EPYC 7763 rivals Xeon Platinum 8380; Xeon Max 9480 rivals EPYC 9684X.

FeatureEPYC 7763Xeon Max 9480
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
None
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, SEV
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
HPC Server
💰

Value Analysis

The EPYC 7763 launched at $7890 MSRP, while the Xeon Max 9480 debuted at $12980. On MSRP ($7890 vs $12980), the EPYC 7763 is $5090 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7763 delivers 10.7 pts/$ vs 6.4 pts/$ for the Xeon Max 9480 — making the EPYC 7763 the 50.5% better value option.

FeatureEPYC 7763Xeon Max 9480
MSRP
$7890-39%
$12980
Performance per Dollar
10.7+67%
6.4
Release Date
2021
2023