AMD EPYC 9355P 32c/64t 3.55GHz-4.4GHz 280W (100-000001521)

AMD EPYC 9355P (Turin) CPU Overview for Single-Socket Servers

Positioning and what this SKU is built for

AMD EPYC 9355P is a 5th Gen EPYC 9005-series processor (codename Turin) aimed at dense, business-critical server deployments where strong per-core throughput and predictable platform I/O matter as much as raw core count. The “P” suffix indicates a single-socket focused part, which is typically selected for 1P servers to maximize performance-per-node while keeping licensing, platform cost, and power planning straightforward.

With 32 cores and 64 threads, EPYC 9355P sits in a practical “sweet spot” for virtualization clusters, database tiers that scale well up to a few dozen high-performance cores, and general-purpose compute nodes that also need high-speed connectivity and lots of PCIe lanes for storage or accelerators.

Key specifications that drive real deployments

At a glance, the spec set is tuned for modern data-center platforms:

• Cores / threads: 32 / 64
• Base / boost clock: 3.55 GHz base, up to 4.4 GHz max boost
• L3 cache: 256 MB
• Socket: SP5
• Memory platform: DDR5, 12 channels
• PCIe: PCIe 5.0 with x128 lanes (platform capability)
• TDP: 280 W

That combination is exactly why EPYC is commonly chosen in designs where you want to attach multiple NVMe drives, high-speed NICs (25/100/200/400GbE), and accelerators without resorting to external PCIe switches in every chassis.

CPU choice guidance: how to decide if 9355P is the right fit

EPYC 9355P is usually a strong match when the workload profile looks like one of these:

• Virtualization and VM density: 32 high-performance cores can host a large number of VMs while still keeping good single-thread responsiveness for latency-sensitive tenants.
• Databases and analytics nodes: The balance of frequency, cache, and memory channels supports many OLTP/OLAP layouts, especially when the node also needs substantial NVMe and networking connectivity.
• Infrastructure services at scale: Kubernetes worker pools, CI runners, inference microservices, and mixed enterprise workloads that benefit from strong baseline clocks.

A quick practical rule: if you are currently running into CPU saturation and also running out of lanes for NVMe + networking, moving to a 32-core Turin part on SP5 often cleans up both constraints at once, provided your cooling and power budget can accommodate a 280 W CPU.

Memory planning: channels, speed, and why it matters

Turin on SP5 is designed around a wide DDR5 memory subsystem (12 channels), which helps maintain bandwidth under multi-tenant loads and prevents performance collapse when many cores hit memory at the same time.

Memory speed support depends on the server platform and validated DIMM configurations. Public reporting around the Turin generation notes DDR5 speed targets and platform validation considerations, so the right way to treat memory speed is: pick the server model first, then follow the vendor’s memory population rules (DIMM type, ranks, slots-per-channel) to hit your intended throughput and capacity.

I/O design: PCIe 5.0 and x128 lanes in real systems

A major reason professionals pick EPYC for storage-heavy or network-heavy nodes is the lane budget. With PCIe 5.0 and up to 128 lanes, you can build very capable 1P servers:

• NVMe-heavy storage nodes (multiple Gen5 U.2/U.3 or E3.S backplanes)
• High-speed networking plus NVMe without compromises
• GPU or FPGA attach while keeping enough lanes for fast local storage and NICs

This is also where 1P-focused parts make economic sense: you can keep a single-socket board and still build a system that does not “feel” I/O-constrained.

Security and virtualization features to care about

For regulated environments and multi-tenant hosting, EPYC platforms are commonly evaluated on built-in security and confidential computing capabilities. AMD positions Infinity Guard as a silicon-level security feature set for EPYC platforms.

A widely referenced component in that area is Secure Encrypted Virtualization (SEV), which is designed to protect data-in-use by isolating VMs with encryption keys managed by the AMD Secure Processor (enablement depends on hypervisor/guest and platform).

Deployment notes that prevent surprises

• Thermals and cooling: 280 W TDP typically requires server-grade air cooling (high-performance heatsinks and chassis airflow) or liquid cooling in dense environments.
• Platform selection: Treat SP5 motherboard and BIOS quality as part of the CPU choice. Memory QVL, PCIe bifurcation options, and NIC/storage compatibility determine how much of the theoretical platform capability you actually get.
• Single-socket intent: If your design is a 1P node, a “P” SKU is usually the cleanest licensing and platform decision; if you need true 2P scaling, choose a non-P counterpart that is explicitly intended for dual-socket pairing.