EPYC 9135 vs Xeon Gold 6442Y

AMD

EPYC 9135

16 Cores32 Thrd200 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2024

Popular choices:

VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 6442Y

24 Cores48 Thrd225 WWMax: 4 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 9135

2024

Why buy it

  • Costs $1,664 less on MSRP ($1,214 MSRP vs $2,878 MSRP).
  • Delivers 134.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 47.6 vs 20.3 PassMark/$ ($1,214 MSRP vs $2,878 MSRP).
  • Draws 200W instead of 225W, a 25W reduction.
  • 60% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 80) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6442Y across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (57,808 vs 58,534).

Xeon Gold 6442Y

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +8.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 20.3 vs 47.6 PassMark/$ ($2,878 MSRP vs $1,214 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6442Y better than EPYC 9135?
Yes. Xeon Gold 6442Y is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 8.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.3% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Xeon Gold 6442Y is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 8.6% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6442Y is the better fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon Gold 6442Y is still the faster CPU overall, but EPYC 9135 makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Xeon Gold 6442Y is 137.1% more expensive on MSRP at $2,878 MSRP versus $1,214 MSRP, and it gives you a 8.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. EPYC 9135 is also 134.1% better value on MSRP (47.6 vs 20.3 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
EPYC 9135 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2023). 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 9135Xeon Gold 6442Y
1080p
low172 FPS200 FPS
medium139 FPS165 FPS
high119 FPS137 FPS
ultra96 FPS107 FPS
1440p
low152 FPS159 FPS
medium120 FPS124 FPS
high99 FPS98 FPS
ultra81 FPS77 FPS
4K
low81 FPS73 FPS
medium69 FPS61 FPS
high55 FPS48 FPS
ultra45 FPS39 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetEPYC 9135Xeon Gold 6442Y
1080p
low496 FPS512 FPS
medium439 FPS443 FPS
high341 FPS354 FPS
ultra293 FPS294 FPS
1440p
low427 FPS431 FPS
medium382 FPS381 FPS
high309 FPS314 FPS
ultra248 FPS250 FPS
4K
low267 FPS268 FPS
medium242 FPS241 FPS
high211 FPS211 FPS
ultra183 FPS176 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetEPYC 9135Xeon Gold 6442Y
1080p
low729 FPS1025 FPS
medium607 FPS998 FPS
high552 FPS940 FPS
ultra489 FPS853 FPS
1440p
low559 FPS875 FPS
medium463 FPS775 FPS
high415 FPS718 FPS
ultra362 FPS645 FPS
4K
low407 FPS558 FPS
medium325 FPS458 FPS
high287 FPS396 FPS
ultra232 FPS325 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetEPYC 9135Xeon Gold 6442Y
1080p
low929 FPS985 FPS
medium846 FPS887 FPS
high732 FPS767 FPS
ultra660 FPS659 FPS
1440p
low735 FPS763 FPS
medium652 FPS669 FPS
high561 FPS575 FPS
ultra493 FPS495 FPS
4K
low524 FPS555 FPS
medium475 FPS495 FPS
high417 FPS435 FPS
ultra365 FPS372 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of EPYC 9135 and Xeon Gold 6442Y

AMD

EPYC 9135

The EPYC 9135 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Turin (2024) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.65 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 200 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 57,808 points. Launch price was $1,214.

Intel

Xeon Gold 6442Y

The Xeon Gold 6442Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 60 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 225 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 58,534 points. Launch price was $2,065.

Processing Power

The EPYC 9135 packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6442Y offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Xeon Gold 6442Y has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the EPYC 9135 versus 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6442Y — a 7.2% clock advantage for the EPYC 9135 (base: 3.65 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The EPYC 9135 uses the Turin (2024) architecture (4 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6442Y uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9135 scores 57,808 against the Xeon Gold 6442Y's 58,534 — a 1.2% lead for the Xeon Gold 6442Y. L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 9135 vs 60 MB on the Xeon Gold 6442Y.

FeatureEPYC 9135Xeon Gold 6442Y
Cores / Threads
16 / 32
24 / 48+50%
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz+7%
4 GHz
Base Clock
3.65 GHz+40%
2.6 GHz
L3 Cache
64 MB (total)+7%
60 MB
L2 Cache
1 MB (per core)
2 MB (per core)+100%
Process
4 nm-43%
Intel 7 nm
Architecture
Turin (2024)
Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark
57,808
58,534+1%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 9135 uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Gold 6442Y uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 6000 on the EPYC 9135 versus 4800 on the Xeon Gold 6442Y — the EPYC 9135 supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9135 supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 4096 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9135) vs 8 (Xeon Gold 6442Y). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9135) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 6442Y) — the EPYC 9135 offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9135) and C741 (Xeon Gold 6442Y).

FeatureEPYC 9135Xeon Gold 6442Y
Socket
SP5
LGA4677
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed
6000+25%
4800
Max RAM Capacity
6144+50%
4096
RAM Channels
12+50%
8
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
128+60%
80
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Direct competitor: EPYC 9135 rivals Xeon Platinum 8558P; Xeon Gold 6442Y rivals EPYC 9354.

FeatureEPYC 9135Xeon Gold 6442Y
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
None
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
Yes
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d
💰

Value Analysis

The EPYC 9135 launched at $1214 MSRP, while the Xeon Gold 6442Y debuted at $2878. On MSRP ($1214 vs $2878), the EPYC 9135 is $1664 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9135 delivers 47.6 pts/$ vs 20.3 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6442Y — making the EPYC 9135 the 80.3% better value option.

FeatureEPYC 9135Xeon Gold 6442Y
MSRP
$1214-58%
$2878
Performance per Dollar
47.6+134%
20.3
Release Date
2024
2023