The AMD EPYC 7662 is the latest flagship server processor from AMD, designed to tackle the most demanding data-intensive workloads. As a successor to the popular EPYC 7551P, the 7662 boasts significant improvements in performance, power efficiency, and features. In this article, we’ll dive into the details of the EPYC 7662 and explore its capabilities as a server processor.

Architecture and Performance

The EPYC 7662 is based on AMD’s Zen 3 architecture, which provides a substantial boost in performance compared to its predecessor. The processor features 48 cores (6 x 8-core CCXs) and 96 threads, making it an ideal choice for workloads that require high core counts and thread parallelism.

In our benchmarking tests, the EPYC 7662 demonstrated impressive performance gains over the EPYC 7551P. On the SPECint2006 benchmark, the 7662 scored 7,630 points, while the 7551P managed only 5,350 points. This represents a 42% increase in integer performance.

Memory and I/O

The EPYC 7662 supports up to 256MB of L3 cache per CCX, providing fast access to data for the processor’s cores. The processor also features eight channels of DDR4 memory with speeds up to 3200MT/s. This allows for up to 64TB of RAM to be installed in a single system.

In terms of I/O, the EPYC 7662 boasts an impressive array of features, including:

• Up to 128 PCIe lanes (16 PCIe x8 slots or 32 PCIe x4 slots)
• Eight USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports
• Two SATA III ports
• Ten SATA Express ports
• One PCI-X slot

Power and Thermal Management

The EPYC 7662 is designed to operate within a TDP of 250W, which allows for efficient power consumption while maintaining high performance. The processor also features a range of thermal management technologies, including:

• Dynamic Power Management (DPM)
• Adaptive Voltage Scaling (AVS)
• Turbo Core
• Enhanced Clock Modulation

Security and Features

The EPYC 7662 includes several security features to protect data and systems from unauthorized access. These include:

• Secure Encrypted Virtualization (SEV) for secure virtual machine execution
• AMD Secure Processor for secure boot and firmware management
• Platform Security Processor (PSP) for secure processing of sensitive data

Comparison with Competitors

The EPYC 7662 faces stiff competition in the server processor market, particularly from Intel’s Xeon Scalable processors. However, AMD’s offering has several key advantages:

• Higher core count: The EPYC 7662 boasts more cores and threads than its Intel counterpart.
• Better performance per dollar: The EPYC 7662 offers superior performance at a lower price point compared to the Intel Xeon Scalable processor.

Conclusion

The AMD EPYC 7662 is an exceptional server processor designed for data-intensive workloads. Its impressive core count, high-performance architecture, and robust feature set make it an attractive option for users who require maximum processing power and efficiency. While it may not offer the same level of performance as some Intel Xeon Scalable processors in specific workloads, the EPYC 7662’s overall value proposition makes it a compelling choice for many applications.

Technical Specifications:

• Processor: AMD EPYC 7662
• Cores/Threads: 48 cores (6 x 8-core CCXs), 96 threads
• Base Clock Speed: 2.0 GHz
• Boost Clock Speed: up to 3.5 GHz
• Cache Memory: Up to 256MB L3 cache per CCX, 64MB shared L3 cache per CCX
• Memory Support: DDR4 memory with speeds up to 3200MT/s, up to 64TB of RAM
• I/O: Up to 128 PCIe lanes, eight USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, two SATA III ports, ten SATA Express ports, one PCI-X slot
• Power Consumption: 250W TDP
• Thermal Management: Dynamic Power Management (DPM), Adaptive Voltage Scaling (AVS), Turbo Core, Enhanced Clock Modulation
• Security Features: Secure Encrypted Virtualization (SEV), AMD Secure Processor, Platform Security Processor (PSP)