Intel Xeon Platinum 8256 vs AMD EPYC Embedded 3251

Comparative analysis of Intel Xeon Platinum 8256 and AMD EPYC Embedded 3251 processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Compatibility, Peripherals, Security & Reliability, Advanced Technologies, Virtualization. Benchmark processor performance analysis: PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark.

Intel Xeon Platinum 8256

AMD EPYC Embedded 3251

Differences

Reasons to consider the Intel Xeon Platinum 8256

CPU is newer: launch date 9 month(s) later
Around 26% higher clock speed: 3.90 GHz vs 3.1 GHz
Around 3% more L3 cache; more data can be stored in the L3 cache for quick access later
2x more maximum memory size: 1 TB vs 512 GB
Around 24% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 2336 vs 1881
Around 21% better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 16787 vs 13912

Specifications (specs)
Launch date	11 Dec 2018 vs 21 Feb 2018
Maximum frequency	3.90 GHz vs 3.1 GHz
L3 cache	16.5 MB vs 16 MB
Maximum memory size	1 TB vs 512 GB
Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark	2336 vs 1881
PassMark - CPU mark	16787 vs 13912

Reasons to consider the AMD EPYC Embedded 3251

Processor is unlocked, an unlocked multiplier allows for easier overclocking
4 more cores, run more applications at once: 8 vs 4
8 more threads: 16 vs 8
3x more L1 cache, more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
2.1x lower typical power consumption: 50 Watt vs 105 Watt

Unlocked	Unlocked vs Locked
Number of cores	8 vs 4
Number of threads	16 vs 8
L1 cache	768 KB vs 256 KB
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	50 Watt vs 105 Watt

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Intel Xeon Platinum 8256
CPU 2: AMD EPYC Embedded 3251

PassMark - Single thread mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

2336

1881

PassMark - CPU mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

16787

13912

Name	Intel Xeon Platinum 8256	AMD EPYC Embedded 3251
PassMark - Single thread mark	2336	1881
PassMark - CPU mark	16787	13912

Compare specifications (specs)

	Intel Xeon Platinum 8256	AMD EPYC Embedded 3251
Essentials
Architecture codename	Cascade Lake	Zen
Launch date	11 Dec 2018	21 Feb 2018
Launch price (MSRP)	$8030
Place in performance rating	811	1083
Processor Number	8256
Series	2nd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable Processors
Vertical segment	Server	Server
Performance
Base frequency	3.80 GHz	2.5 GHz
L1 cache	256 KB	768 KB
L2 cache	4 MB	4 MB
L3 cache	16.5 MB	16 MB
Manufacturing process technology	14 nm	14 nm
Maximum core temperature	72°C
Maximum frequency	3.90 GHz	3.1 GHz
Number of cores	4	8
Number of threads	8	16
64 bit support
Die size		192 mm
Transistor count		4800 million
Unlocked
Memory
Max memory channels	6	2
Maximum memory size	1 TB	512 GB
Supported memory frequency	2933 MHz
Supported memory types	DDR4-2933	DDR4-2666
ECC memory support
Maximum memory bandwidth		39.74 GB/s
Compatibility
Package Size	76.0mm x 56.5mm
Sockets supported	FCLGA3647
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	105 Watt	50 Watt
Max number of CPUs in a configuration		1
Peripherals
Max number of PCIe lanes	48	32
PCI Express revision	3.0	3.0
Scalability	S8S
Integrated LAN
PCIe configurations		x16, x8, x4, x2
Total number of SATA ports		8
USB revision		3.0
Security & Reliability
Execute Disable Bit (EDB)
Intel® Run Sure Technology
Intel® Trusted Execution technology (TXT)
Advanced Technologies
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology
Instruction set extensions	Intel SSE4.2, Intel AVX, Intel AVX2, Intel AVX-512
Intel 64
Intel® AES New Instructions
Intel® Hyper-Threading technology
Intel® Turbo Boost technology
Intel® Volume Management Device (VMD)
Number of AVX-512 FMA Units	2
Speed Shift technology
Virtualization
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)
AMD Virtualization (AMD-V™)