AMD EPYC 7303 socket: SP3

What the EPYC 7303 is

The EPYC 7303 is the 16-core dual socket capable Milan server part for SP3 from September 2023. Sixteen Zen 3 cores with multithreading run at 2.4 GHz base and up to 3.4 GHz boost, backed by 16 MB of L2 and 64 MB of L3. Two full CCDs plus the IOD form the package on TSMC 7 nm with a 130 W default inside a 120 to 150 W window. It supports single and dual socket operation for scalable virtualization clusters.

Balanced threads with socket flexibility suit mainstream clusters that scale from one to two sockets per node. Sixteen cores per socket give 32 cores in 2P with shared memory pools, while 8 DDR4-3200 ECC channels per socket feed 4 TB each. One hundred twenty-eight Gen4 lanes per socket keep NICs and NVMe fed. Moderate power suits 1U twins and 2U nodes.

Buyers choose the non-P 7303 for socket flexibility where nodes may grow to 2P later. It matches the 7303P in clocks and cache but allows dual socket pairing. Smaller nodes stay with fewer sockets on the same SP3 base. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide is secondary to SP3 board support lists.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The 7303 fits SP3 on single or dual socket server boards with LGA 4094 slide mounting. Board lists must name Milan 7003 for Zen 3 support. Power delivery for 130 W per socket suits mainstream racks.

SP3 boards wire 8 DDR4 channels per socket with two DIMMs per channel for full capacity. BMC firmware covers cluster management. Confirm heatsink class and torque order for 2P nodes.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

DDR4-3200 ECC RDIMM in 8 channels per socket to 4 TB feeds 16 cores per socket. Primary slots first hold rated speed. ECC stays enabled for data-centre uptime. Validated kits at rated speed are required.

PCIe Gen4 gives 128 lanes per socket and up to 160 in dual socket for networking and NVMe. A 16-core node typically wires NICs plus NVMe arrays. Cooling needs an SP3 server sink for 130 W per socket with front-to-back flow.

Upgrade paths

On SP3 the upward moves are higher-core Milan parts where VM counts grow, or adding a second 7303 socket where boards allow 2P. Memory growth to 8 channels per socket and NIC additions often help more than cores. The 16-core point balances threads and power for mainstream clusters.

Outside Milan, Genoa on SP5 adds DDR5 and Gen5 lanes for larger fabrics. Most 7303 owners scale sockets and IO on SP3 first.