AMD EPYC 4484PX

The AMD EPYC 4484PX sits at the top of the EPYC 4004 series, a 12-core, 24-thread Zen 4 processor built on TSMC’s 5 nm process. With a 96th percentile ranking among all CPUs and an average benchmark score of 67822, it targets the server/workstation segment with a notable 128 MB of shared L3 cache augmented by a 1x 64MB 3D V-Cache slice. This analysis examines how its benchmark results, power envelope, and platform features position it against immediate competitors.

How It Compares

Against the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX, the EPYC 4484PX is effectively tied, with a delta of -0.1% in average score. The Threadripper holds a marginal 67868 average versus 67822, a difference so small it falls within run-to-run variance. This means the two processors deliver nearly identical aggregate performance, but the EPYC does so on a completely different platform—AM5 versus the Threadripper’s workstation socket—which shifts the compatibility calculus.

The AMD EPYC 7352 trails by a mere 0.4% (68118 average), placing it statistically on par with the 4484PX. The 7352 is a older EPYC part, yet its score shows that generation-to-generation gains here are modest in raw throughput. What separates them is not performance headroom but architectural context: the 4484PX brings Zen 4 and DDR5 support, while the 7352 relies on older tech.

The AMD EPYC 9184X comes in 0.6% higher (68202 average), again a negligible margin. Both parts feature 3D V-Cache, but the 9184X is a higher-tier EPYC with more cores in its native lineup. For the 4484PX to match that within 0.6% despite a 12-core count speaks to the efficiency of its cache design and clock speeds.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX is the only rival that the 4484PX clearly beats, with a delta of +1.1% (67102 average). This is a mobile-oriented chip, yet the EPYC still outpaces it by over 700 points in the average benchmark. The margin is not huge, but it establishes that the 4484PX holds its own even against newer Intel architectures in aggregate workloads.

Power and Thermals

The EPYC 4484PX carries a TDP of 120 W, a figure that places it in the mid-range for server processors. This is not a high-power part; many workstation CPUs exceed 200 W, but 120 W allows for more flexible cooling solutions. The data implies a capable air cooler or a modest liquid cooler should suffice, given the power draw is modest relative to the performance on offer. The 5 nm process from TSMC, with 17,840 million transistors across a 2x 71 mm² die size, suggests efficient power delivery per core. The low TDP also means that multi-socket or dense server configurations might not require aggressive thermal management, which is a practical advantage for rack environments where cooling density is constrained. Benchmarks achieved with this power envelope show no signs of throttling artifacts, as the multi-core scores remain proportional to the core count.

Platform and Compatibility

The processor uses AMD Socket AM5, a consumer-oriented socket rather than a dedicated server socket. This is a significant departure for an EPYC-branded part, as it opens the door to standard AM5 motherboards. Memory support is DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, yielding a memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s, and ECC memory is supported, which is critical for workstation reliability. PCIe connectivity includes Gen 5 with 28 lanes from the CPU, offering high-speed expansion for GPUs or NVMe storage. The integrated Radeon Graphics adds a display output option, eliminating the need for a discrete GPU in basic server tasks. Upgrade path is constrained: AM5 is a mature platform, and this chip is locked (multiplier is not unlocked), so overclocking is off the table. However, the platform’s longevity is solid given DDR5 and PCIe Gen 5 are current standards. The launch date of 2024-05-20 places it as a recent addition, and production status is active, ensuring availability.

Who Should Consider It

For server and workstation workloads, the 4484PX excels in multi-threaded tasks—its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 42964 is substantial for a 12-core part. Data compression (Passmark score of 603371) and integer math (162993) are strong, suggesting database and virtualization workloads will benefit. The 3D V-Cache (1x 64MB Slice) likely aids cache-sensitive tasks, though the benchmark pack does not isolate cache effects directly. For content creation, the single-thread performance (Cinebench R23 single-core score of 6065) is top-tier, enabling responsive editing and rendering tasks that rely on per-core speed. Office and general productivity are over-served by this chip, but its low TDP makes it a reasonable choice for always-on workstations. The integrated Radeon Graphics provides basic display output without extra hardware, which is convenient for headless servers that occasionally need a monitor. Gamers would find the single-thread scores appealing, but the server focus and lack of unlocked multiplier limit enthusiast appeal. The 120 W TDP means it fits into compact builds that might struggle with higher-power parts.

Benchmark Performance

The average benchmark score of 67822 places the 4484PX in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, a strong showing for a 12-core part. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score of 42964 is 7.1% higher than the R20 multi-core score of 18044 would suggest when scaled, indicating good scaling across the 12 cores with the 3D V-Cache. The single-core R23 score of 6065 is notably high, reflecting a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. Against rivals, the deltaPct values tell a clear story: -0.1% vs the Threadripper PRO 5955WX, -0.4% vs the EPYC 7352, -0.6% vs the EPYC 9184X, and +1.1% vs the Core Ultra 7 255HX. These margins are all within 1.7% total spread, making the 4484PX essentially performance-equivalent to its three AMD rivals and slightly ahead of the Intel chip. In Passmark tests, the multi-thread score of 50547 is robust, but the single-thread score of 4119 is where it shines—that is 8.2% of the multi-thread score per thread, indicating efficient per-core performance. Data encryption (36499) and extended instructions (43315) scores show solid cryptographic and SIMD throughput. The floating-point math score of 96446 is lower relative to integer math (162993), a typical pattern for Zen 4, but still competitive.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The split between single-thread and multi-thread performance is telling. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 6065 represents a high level of per-core capability, driven by the 5.60 GHz boost clock. In contrast, the multi-core score of 42964 is 7.1 times the single-core score, which is below the theoretical 12x scaling from 12 cores. This indicates that multi-core workloads hit memory bandwidth or cache coherence limits at around 59% of ideal scaling (42964 / (6065*12) = 0.59). The dual-channel memory bus (83.2 GB/s) is a likely bottleneck for heavily threaded tasks, whereas single-thread performance is unconstrained. For real workloads, this means: applications that rely on a few fast threads (e.g., legacy software, certain CAD tools) will see excellent responsiveness, while massively parallel rendering or simulation may not scale as expected. The 3D V-Cache helps mitigate some memory latency issues, but it cannot overcome the memory bandwidth ceiling. The Passmark data confirms this: single-thread score of 4119 is strong, but the multi-thread score of 50547 is only 12.3 times that (50547 / 4119 = 12.3), which is close to the 12-core count, suggesting Passmark’s multi-thread test scales better than Cinebench’s. This discrepancy implies that the 4484PX’s multi-core efficiency depends on the workload’s memory access patterns.

FAQ

Q: How does the AMD EPYC 4484PX compare to the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX?

A: The two are nearly identical in average benchmark score, with the Threadripper leading by 0.1% (67868 vs 67822). Performance-wise, they are interchangeable, but the EPYC uses Socket AM5 while the Threadripper uses a different platform.

Q: What is the TDP of the EPYC 4484PX and what cooling does it require?

A: The TDP is 120 W, which is modest for a server chip. This implies a standard air cooler or a small liquid cooler is sufficient; no exotic cooling is necessary.

Q: Does the EPYC 4484PX support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory is supported. The processor also supports DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration with a bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the EPYC 4484PX?

A: The launch MSRP is $599. This is the only pricing information available in the data.

Q: Is the EPYC 4484PX overclockable?

A: No, the multiplier is not unlocked, so overclocking is not supported. The boost clock is fixed at 5.60 GHz.

Q: How does the EPYC 4484PX perform in single-threaded tasks relative to its multi-threaded performance?

A: Single-thread performance is very high (Cinebench R23 single-core score of 6065), but multi-core scaling is limited—the R23 multi-core score of 42964 is only 7.1 times the single-core score, suggesting memory bandwidth constraints in heavily threaded workloads.