Blog/Article

AMD EPYC vs Intel Xeon for targeted workloads

November 28, 2024

Both AMD EPYC and Intel Xeon are extremely popular hardware families focused on processing power for servers. These CPUs power some of the most powerful bare metal servers around the world.

SUMMARY

By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of the latest-generation options available in both families for handling enterprise workloads.

AMD EPYC 9124 vs Intel Xeon Silver 4210

Starting with the ‘least powerful’ options that will appear on our list, the AMD 9124 and the Intel Xeon Silver 4210, let's first take a look at the specifications of each one.

AMD EPYC 9124

  • Number of CPU Cores: 16

  • Number of Threads: 32

  • Max. Boost Clock: Up to 3.7 GHz

  • Base Clock: 3 GHz

Intel Xeon Silver 4210

  • Number of CPU Cores: 10

  • Number of Threads: 20

  • Max. Boost Clock: 3.2 GHz

  • Base Clock: 2.2 GHz

The AMD 9124 offers a significant advantage over the Intel Xeon Silver 4210 in terms of core count, with 16 cores and 32 threads compared to the 10 cores and 20 threads of the Intel processor. 

This higher core and thread count allows the AMD 9124 to excel in workloads that benefit from parallel processing, such as virtualization, multi-threaded computing, and data-heavy applications.

In terms of clock speeds, the AMD 9124 also takes the lead with a base clock of 3 GHz and a max boost clock of 3.7 GHz, compared to the Intel Xeon Silver 4210's base clock of 2.2 GHz and boost clock of 3.2 GHz. 

The higher base and boost clock speeds of the AMD processor make it better suited for single-threaded tasks and applications that benefit from faster processing speeds, offering improved overall performance, especially in real-time data processing and applications requiring higher frequencies.

While the Intel Xeon Silver 4210 may still be a solid choice for lighter workloads or budget-conscious setups, such as general-purpose servers or less demanding business applications, the AMD 9124 clearly outperforms it in terms of both raw power and multi-threaded capabilities. 

AMD EPYC 9254 vs Intel Xeon Gold 6330

Next up, we have the AMD 9254 and the Intel Xeon Gold 5218. These processors offer more performance, so let’s examine their specifications to see how they stack up against each other.

AMD EPYC 9254

  • Number of CPU Cores: 24

  • Number of Threads: 48

  • Max. Boost Clock: Up to 4.15 GHz

  • Base Clock: 3 GHz

Intel Xeon Gold 6330

  • Number of CPU Cores: 28

  • Number of Threads: 56

  • Max. Turbo Clock: 3.10 GHz

  • Base Clock: 2.00 GHz

The AMD 9254 and Intel Xeon Gold 6330 offer powerful capabilities, but with key differences that cater to specific workloads.

The AMD 9254 has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the Intel Xeon Gold 6330 features 28 cores and 56 threads. This gives the Intel processor a slight edge in core and thread count, which can be advantageous in highly parallelized applications such as enterprise computing, or multi-threaded processing tasks. 

Intel’s additional cores and threads could provide better scalability in environments with massive workloads that require extensive parallelism. However, the AMD 9254 counters this with its higher clock speeds. 

The AMD processor boasts a base clock of 3 GHz, and a max boost clock of up to 4.15 GHz, compared to the Intel Xeon Gold 6330, which has a base clock of 2 GHz and a max turbo clock of 3.1 GHz. 

The higher clock speeds of the AMD 9254 make it more suitable for workloads that benefit from higher frequencies, such as applications with real-time data processing or tasks requiring fast single-threaded performance.

Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on the specific workload: if you need more cores and thread scalability for massive parallel tasks, the Intel Xeon Gold 6330 is the better option. 

But for workloads that require high-frequency performance or a better overall balance between core count and clock speed, the AMD 9254 offers superior performance.

AMD EPYC 9354 vs Intel Xeon Gold 6348

Moving on to the AMD 9354 and the Intel Xeon Gold 6230, we find more advanced options. Let’s dive into their specifications and see what unique features each brings to the table.

AMD EPYC 9354

  • Number of CPU Cores: 32

  • Number of Threads: 64

  • Max. Boost Clock: Up to 3.8 GHz

  • Base Clock: 3.25 GHz

Intel Xeon Gold 6348

  • Number of CPU Cores: 28

  • Number of Threads: 56

  • Max. Turbo Clock: 3.50 GHz

  • Base Clock: 2.60 GHz

The AMD 9354 offers a higher core and thread count compared to the Intel Xeon Gold 6348. With 32 cores and 64 threads, the AMD processor outperforms Intel's 28 cores and 56 threads in highly parallel workloads, making it a better choice for tasks such as virtualization, large-scale processing, and data analytics.

In terms of clock speeds, the AMD 9354 again has an edge, with a base clock of 3.25 GHz and a max boost clock of up to 3.8 GHz. The Intel Xeon Gold 6348 has a base clock of 2.6 GHz and a max turbo clock of 3.5 GHz, which is slightly lower than the AMD’s maximum boost.

The higher clock speeds of the AMD 9354 make it more suitable for single-threaded workloads and applications that benefit from faster processing speeds.

Overall, the AMD 9354 offers a stronger balance of more cores, threads, and clock speed, making it the preferred choice for applications that require high performance in both multi-threaded and single-threaded tasks. The Intel Xeon Gold 6348, while powerful, may be more cost-effective in scenarios where raw core count and clock speed are less critical.

AMD EPYC 9554P vs Intel Xeon Platinum 8352Y

Finally, we’ll look at the AMD 9554P and the Intel Xeon Platinum 8280. As the top contenders on our list, it’s essential to analyze their specifications to determine which processor reigns supreme.

AMD EPYC 9554P

  • Number of CPU Cores: 64

  • Number of Threads: 128

  • Max. Boost Clock: Up to 3.75 GHz

  • Base Clock: 3.1 GHz

Intel Xeon Platinum 8480+

  • Number of CPU Cores: 56

  • Number of Threads: 112

  • Max. Turbo Clock: 3.8 GHz

  • Base Clock: 2.0 GHz

The AMD 9554P offers a higher core and thread count compared to the Intel Xeon Platinum 8480+. With 64 cores and 128 threads, the AMD processor excels in parallel workloads, including high-performance computing, large-scale data analytics, and virtualization. 

The Intel Xeon Platinum 8480+, with 56 cores and 112 threads, is still powerful but falls short of AMD’s massive parallel processing capabilities. When it comes to clock speeds, the Intel Xeon Platinum 8480+ has a max turbo clock of 3.8 GHz, which is slightly higher than the AMD 9554P's max boost clock of 3.75 GHz. 

However, the AMD 9554P has a higher base clock of 3.1 GHz, compared to the Intel’s 2.0 GHz base clock. The higher base clock of the AMD processor provides a notable performance boost in single-threaded workloads or scenarios where consistent clock speed is important.

In conclusion, the AMD 9554P offers superior overall performance, with more cores, threads, and a higher base clock, making it the better choice for large-scale parallel tasks. 

The Intel Xeon Platinum 8480+, while having a competitive turbo boost and strong core count, is better suited for applications where the higher clock speed and power efficiency are prioritized over the extreme parallelism the AMD processor offers.

Maximizing Performance with AMD Servers at Latitude.sh

At Latitude.sh, we offer a range of high-performance servers equipped with AMD processors, designed to handle everything from moderate workloads to highly demanding tasks. 

Our AMD-powered servers provide scalable solutions with robust specs, ensuring your applications run smoothly and efficiently.

For those needing the latest generation performance at an affordable price, our m4.metal.medium server features the AMD 9124 processor with 16 cores running at 3.0 GHz. Paired with 128 GB of RAM, it offers a balanced setup ideal for standard applications, web hosting, and real-time data processing. 

The server also comes with a dual NVMe storage configuration (2 x 480GB and 2 x 1.9TB), as well as 2 x 10Gbps network connectivity, ensuring quick data access and reliable performance. With pricing starting at just $414 per month or $0.57 per hour, it’s an excellent choice for cost-conscious businesses.

For more demanding workloads, the m4.metal.large server, featuring the AMD 9254 with 24 cores at 2.9 GHz, offers enhanced processing power. 

Equipped with 384 GB of RAM and a storage setup that includes 2 x 480GB NVMe and 2 x 3.8TB NVMe, this server is ready to tackle larger databases, enterprise applications, and resource-intensive tasks. It also includes a 2 x 10Gbps network connection to handle moderate to high network traffic. Pricing starts at $731 per month or $1.00 per hour.

For high-performance computing needs, we offer the rs4.metal.large with the AMD 9354P processor, which features 32 cores at 3.25 GHz and 768 GB of RAM. 

This server is ideal for heavier workloads, such as, large-scale data analysis, and other memory-intensive applications. It comes with 2 x 480GB NVMe and 2 x 8TB NVMe drives for ample storage, as well as 2 x 100Gbps network interfaces for ultra-fast data transfer. At $1,293 per month or $1.77 per hour, this server delivers the power you need for complex tasks.

Lastly, for the most demanding workloads, the rs4.metal.xlarge offers the AMD 9554P, featuring 64 cores at 3.1 GHz and a massive 1536 GB of RAM. 

This server is designed for the highest-performance applications, such as nodes powering high-throughput blockchains, performing large-scale simulations, and high-performance computing in general. With 2 x 480GB NVMe and 4 x 8TB NVMe storage, as well as 2 x 100Gbps network connectivity, it ensures both speed and capacity for enterprise-level tasks. Pricing starts at $2,294 per month or $3.14 per hour, offering unparalleled performance for your most resource-intensive applications.

These servers are just a few of the AMD-powered options available at Latitude.sh. Whether you need a cost-effective solution for everyday tasks or a powerful machine for complex workloads, our range of AMD-equipped servers offers the flexibility and performance you need to keep your business running at full speed.

Ready to get the most out of your AMD CPUs? Create a free account today and deploy your first instances.