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Server CPU Benchmarks 2026: Xeon vs EPYC Comparison Chart

Server CPU benchmark database: Xeon vs EPYC comparison chart with 1200+ processors ranked by score, cores, TDP and price. Full specs and side-by-side compare.

Updated 2026-09-11

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Features

  • Server CPU benchmark 2026 database: 1200+ Xeon, EPYC, Opteron and Threadripper PRO processors from PassMark with full specs
  • Multi-core CPU Mark and Single Thread Rating for every processor, so you can rank by total throughput or per-core speed
  • Series filter chips: narrow to Xeon, EPYC, Opteron or Threadripper PRO in one click
  • Full specifications: cores, threads, base and boost clocks, TDP (including TDP Up/Down), L2/L3 cache, socket, release year, sample count
  • Compare mode: pick 2-4 processors and view a side-by-side table of scores, cores, cache, clocks and TDP
  • Type a model number like 'E5-2690 v4', 'EPYC 7742' or 'Gold 6138' to jump straight to its benchmark
  • Sort by multi-core score, single-core score, core count or release year
  • Covers workstation parts too: Xeon W series and Threadripper PRO for render farms and workstations
  • Historical server CPUs included (Xeon E5/E7, Opteron) so you can compare older machines against current parts
  • TDP shown alongside scores: power budget matters for rack density, cooling and electricity cost
  • Sample count per CPU as a trust indicator: parts with thousands of samples have more stable scores

How to Use

  1. 1Open the page and the list is already sorted by multi-core CPU Mark, with the strongest server processors at the top
  2. 2Type a model number in the search box (e.g. 'E5-2690 v4', 'EPYC 9654', 'Gold 6138') to find its benchmark score immediately
  3. 3Click the series chips (Xeon, EPYC, Opteron, Threadripper PRO) to compare within one family, then sort by score
  4. 4Turn on Compare Mode and select 2-4 CPUs to see a side-by-side table of scores, cores, cache, clocks and TDP
  5. 5Click any row to expand full specifications: socket, cache sizes, TDP up/down, first release year and sample count
  6. 6For virtualization and many small VMs, sort by core count and threads; for database or single-threaded workloads, look at the Single Thread Rating
  7. 7When planning a server upgrade, search your current CPU first, sort by multi-core score, and compare it against modern EPYC or Xeon options in the same TDP class
  8. 8Use the sample count as a trust indicator: parts with thousands of benchmark results have stable scores, while low-sample entries can shift by 5% or more, so prefer well-sampled parts when comparing close scores

Frequently Asked Questions

Xeon vs EPYC 2026: which is better for servers?

Neither wins outright: EPYC 9005 tops out at 192 cores (9965) while Xeon leads in market share and single-thread performance, while EPYC usually wins on core count, memory bandwidth and price per core at the high end. As of 2026, a flagship EPYC 9965 offers 192 cores and 500 W TDP, while a flagship Xeon 6980P offers 128 cores at 500 W TDP. For virtualization and database workloads with many parallel threads, EPYC's core advantage matters; for single-threaded licensing-based workloads, Xeon is often ahead. Compare the exact models you are considering in the table above instead of relying on brand reputation.

What do the CPU Mark scores mean for server CPUs?

CPU Mark is PassMark's weighted average: a 2016 8-core Xeon scores about 5,000 multi-core (E5-2609 v4: 5,418), while the multi-core score reflects total parallel throughput. An 8-core Xeon from 2016 scores around 5000 on the multi-core chart (the E5-2609 v4 scores 5418), while top 2026 processors exceed 160000. Use multi-core for batch jobs, rendering and virtualization, and single-core for latency-sensitive or licensing-per-core workloads.

Why is my Xeon E5-2690 v4 still in the list, and how does it compare in 2026?

The E5-2690 v4 (14 cores, 28 threads, 2016, 135 W) is still listed because older parts remain in the PassMark database, and it still shows up in searches. Its multi-core score of about 19000 sits far below a modern mid-range EPYC 9254 (24 cores, ~64000), but for a lightly loaded home server or a single application, the old Xeon is still usable. Sort by multi-core score and compare against parts in the same TDP class to see how much you would gain from an upgrade.

Can I compare Xeon and EPYC CPUs directly on the same chart?

Yes: all CPUs here use the same PassMark scale, so an EPYC at 400W and a Xeon at 165W are directly comparable on score. Xeon and EPYC scores are directly comparable. The caveat is platform: a 400 W EPYC and a 165 W Xeon in the same score range serve different power budgets, so always check TDP next to the score. Enable Compare Mode to place Xeon and EPYC models side by side in one table.

What is the difference between Xeon E5, E7 and Xeon Gold?

Xeon E5 and E7 were the pre-2017 naming for dual-socket and 4-8 socket parts respectively; Xeon Gold, Platinum and Silver replaced them in the 2017 Scalable family. E5-2600 v4 parts like the E5-2690 v4 are single or dual socket with up to 22 cores, while current Xeon Gold parts reach 60 cores and Platinum parts reach 128 cores. Search the exact model in this tool to see its real core count, TDP and score.

Why do server CPUs have lower clock speeds than desktop CPUs?

Server CPUs cap clocks to fit many cores inside a fixed power budget: a 128-core Xeon 6980P runs at 2.0 GHz base because raising clocks across 128 cores would exceed the 500 W TDP. Desktop CPUs have 6-16 cores and can boost higher. For most server workloads, throughput comes from core count and memory bandwidth, not single-core clocks, which is why the multi-core score is the primary number to compare.

Which CPU is best for a Minecraft server?

Minecraft servers are single-threaded at the core, so the Single Thread Rating matters most: a fast 8-core part with a high single-core score beats a 64-core Xeon for one world. For a small group (under 20 players), a used Xeon E5-2680 v4 or a modern mid-range part with high clocks works well; for many players or modded packs, look for at least 8 fast cores and 16 GB RAM. Sort by single-core score and pick the best value in your budget.

What is the best server CPU for a homelab?

For a homelab, power draw usually matters more than peak performance: a 30-60 W used Xeon or a lower-TDP EPYC keeps the electricity bill and fan noise down, while a 225 W Xeon Gold only pays off if you run heavy workloads daily. Consider idle power, RAM capacity (ECC supported by both Xeon and EPYC) and whether you need 10-25 GbE connectivity, which depends on the motherboard rather than the CPU. Filter by TDP in this tool and check the sample count for realistic availability on the used market.

Why is my server CPU benchmark score lower than the listed value?

The listed score comes from a reference platform with unlocked power limits and server-grade cooling. Your result drops if the BIOS caps the power limit (check the C-states and power cap settings), the chassis cooling can't sustain load, or you run ECC memory at slower speeds. Compare your own result with the same model and TDP settings, and check that both CPUs are tested at the same power envelope before judging an upgrade.

Is EPYC better than Xeon for virtualization?

For dense virtualization, EPYC usually wins on raw core count per socket: 96-192 cores per socket versus 64-128 for Xeon in the current generations, with more memory channels (12 vs 8) for RAM-heavy hosts. For a small number of VMs, the difference disappears and platform cost decides. Run the CPU Mark multi-core score as a first-order comparison for VM density, then verify memory capacity and PCIe lanes for your specific workloads.

Do Xeon and EPYC support ECC memory?

Yes, both support ECC memory, and it is the main reason to buy a server CPU instead of a desktop one. Xeon has supported ECC since the 2006 Woodcrest generation, and all EPYC parts support it too. Note that the motherboard chipset must also support ECC, and consumer boards paired with these CPUs often do not. ECC catches single-bit memory errors, which matters for databases and long-running computation where a silent bit flip corrupts results.

What does TDP Up and TDP Down mean on server CPUs?

TDP Up is the maximum power the CPU can draw in a short boost window (similar to Intel PL2 on desktop parts), and TDP Down is the power at reduced clocks for density-optimized operation. A Xeon with 165 W TDP may burst to 200 W under all-core load, so size the cooling and power supply for the TDP Up value, not the nominal TDP. This tool shows all three values where PassMark provides them.

Can this tool benchmark my own server?

No, this is a reference database of PassMark results, not a benchmarking tool. To test your own machine, run PassMark PerformanceTest on the server itself and compare your CPU Mark against the value listed here. Differences of a few percent are normal and come from cooling, power limits and background load.

Why do older Xeon and Opteron processors still appear in the list?

Historical parts stay listed: Opteron (2003-2017) and old Xeon rows remain in the database for generational reference. They are useful for comparing used servers and existing fleets against current hardware. Opteron parts (2003-2017) and older Xeon E5/E7 generations remain listed so you can search an old machine by model number and see how far a modern EPYC or Xeon has come. If a very old part is missing, it was archived by PassMark and no longer has benchmark data.

My server CPU doesn't show up in search. Is the data incomplete?

Search with fewer words first: OEM-only models and region-specific SKUs are often missing from PassMark, and their scores would be meaningless without enough samples anyway. Try the family name (e.g. 'Xeon Gold' or 'EPYC 9004') and compare by generation and tier. If the CPU was archived by PassMark (no recent samples), it has no current score and cannot be listed.

What is Threadripper PRO, and how does it compare to Xeon W?

Threadripper PRO is AMD's workstation line: 16-96 cores with 8 memory channels and 128 PCIe lanes, competing with Xeon W-3400 parts. A Threadripper PRO 5995WX (64 cores, 2022) scores around 95000 multi-core, while a Xeon w9-3495X (56 cores, 2023) scores around 91000. Both support ECC and are aimed at workstations rather than racks; filter by series to compare them directly.

What does the Samples number mean?

Samples is the count of aggregated benchmark results: 100+ samples is a reliable score, while low-sample entries can shift by 5% or more. PassMark aggregated results for that CPU. A part with thousands of samples has a stable, trustworthy score; a part with under 100 samples may be based on a few enthusiast or engineering results. When comparing two close scores, prefer the one with more samples, and treat a gap under 5% as noise.

Xeon vs Core i9: which should I choose?

Choose by workload and platform: Xeon supports ECC memory, multi-socket setups and 24/7 operation, while Core i9 is a desktop part with higher clocks for gaming and single-threaded apps. A Xeon E5-2690 v4 (14 cores, 2016) scores about 19000 multi-core, while a Core i9-14900K (24 cores, 2023) scores about 58000 and peaks at 253 W with no ECC. If you need ECC, many cores or a second socket, Xeon; otherwise a Core i9 or i7 from the consumer chart usually wins on price and single-thread speed.

Where can I find the full specifications of a Xeon or EPYC model?

Click any row in the chart to expand its full specification list: cores, threads, base and boost clocks, TDP with TDP Up/Down, L2/L3 cache, socket, release year and sample count. For example, the Xeon E5-2690 v4 shows 14 cores, 28 threads, 2.6 GHz base, 3.5 GHz boost and 135 W TDP, and the EPYC 7742 shows 64 cores, 128 threads and 225 W TDP. You can also type the model number in the search box to jump straight to its specs.

Xeon and EPYC generations by year: how do I tell them apart?

Xeon generations map to sockets and years: E5 v2 (2013), v3 (2014), v4 (2016), then Scalable Gold and Platinum from 2017 with new generations in 2019, 2021 and 2023, and the Xeon 6 series in 2024-2025. EPYC follows 7001 (2017), 7002 (2019), 7003 (2021), 9004 (2022) and 9005 (2024). Filter by series and sort by the release year column to browse the full lineage of each family.

EPYC 7742 vs EPYC 9654: is it worth upgrading an older EPYC server?

For heavy loads, yes: the EPYC 9654 scores about 119,259 multi-core, about 72% above the 2019-era EPYC 7742 at 69,502, with cores going from 64 to 96. The 9654 also raises TDP from 225 W to 360 W, so budget extra power and cooling. For a lightly loaded homelab or a single application the 7742 is still fine and cheap on the used market; for virtualization density and databases the upgrade pays for itself quickly.

EPYC 9654 vs EPYC 9754: why does the 96-core chip outscore the 128-core one?

Because the 9654 uses full-speed Zen 4 cores while the 9754 uses the denser, lower-clocked Zen 4c cores: the 96-core 9654 scores about 119,259 multi-core against the 128-core 9754 at 98,450. The 9754 fits more cores in the same 360 W TDP at lower clocks, which suits cloud density where per-core speed matters less. For databases and general virtualization the 9654 is the better pick; for maximum cores per rack unit the 9754 wins.