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AMD EPYC 7261 vs AMD EPYC Embedded 7542: Comparison
EPYC 7261 vs EPYC Embedded 7542 l3 cache compared
The gap that matters here is l3 cache: EPYC 7261 64 MB against EPYC Embedded 7542 128 MB, which puts EPYC Embedded 7542 50% ahead. There is a split on boost clock as well, Up to 2.9 GHz on the EPYC 7261 versus 3.4 GHz on the EPYC Embedded 7542. Tdp is not the same on both, 155W / 170W on the EPYC 7261 versus 225 W on the EPYC Embedded 7542. They differ on core count too, 8 cores on the EPYC 7261 versus 32 cores on the EPYC Embedded 7542. There is a split on thread count as well, 16 threads on the EPYC 7261 versus 64 threads on the EPYC Embedded 7542. Base clock is not the same on both, 2.5 GHz on the EPYC 7261 versus 2.9 GHz on the EPYC Embedded 7542.
Which should you buy, EPYC 7261 or EPYC Embedded 7542?
The EPYC 7261 suits datacenter and cloud compute and virtualization-dense server workloads, though it is not the pick for consumer desktop builds and single-threaded latency-sensitive workloads on lower core-count SKUs. Buy the EPYC Embedded 7542 for industrial and embedded system designs and long-lifecycle networking and edge-compute deployments, though it is the wrong buy for consumer desktop or gaming builds and DIY PC upgrades.
Where the two are identical
Where they agree, they agree completely, socket included, so the decision does not turn on any of those.
Specs and benchmarks
Core Count
- AMD EPYC 7261
- 8 cores
- AMD EPYC Embedded 7542
- 32 cores
Thread Count
- AMD EPYC 7261
- 16 threads
- AMD EPYC Embedded 7542
- 64 threads
Base Clock
- AMD EPYC 7261
- 2.5 GHz
- AMD EPYC Embedded 7542
- 2.9 GHz
Boost Clock
- AMD EPYC 7261
- Up to 2.9 GHz
- AMD EPYC Embedded 7542
- 3.4 GHz
L3 Cache
- AMD EPYC 7261
- 64 MB-50%
- AMD EPYC Embedded 7542
- 128 MBBest
Socket
- AMD EPYC 7261
- SP3
- AMD EPYC Embedded 7542
- SP3
TDP
- AMD EPYC 7261
- 155W / 170W
- AMD EPYC Embedded 7542
- 225 W
Which one should you pick?
Choose 7261 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose 7542 if you want the higher L3 cache (128 MB vs 64 MB).