Cisco Nexus 3064PQ vs Nexus 93180YC-FX3
The N3K-C3064PQ-10GE is an end-of-life 10G/40G top-of-rack switch; the Nexus 93180YC-FX3 (N9K-C93180YC-FX3) is its modern 25G/100G replacement with roughly 3x the switching capacity. For any leaf/ToR refresh, migrate to the 93180YC-FX3 to get 25G server ports, 100G uplinks, and current NX-OS/ACI support.
Cisco Nexus 3064PQ
A 1RU 10 Gigabit SFP+ top-of-rack switch with 40G QSFP+ uplinks from the original Nexus 3000 generation.
- 48x 1/10G SFP+ plus 4x 40G QSFP+ (or 16x 10G breakout)
- 1.28 Tbps switching capacity, 950 Mpps forwarding
- Low-latency line-rate Layer 2/3 for early 10G data centers
- End-of-life Nexus 3000; no 25G server connectivity
Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3
A 1RU 25G leaf/ToR switch with 100G uplinks, MACsec, and PTP for modern data center fabrics.
- 48x 1/10/25G SFP28 plus 6x 40/100G QSFP28
- 3.6 Tbps switching capacity, up to 1.2 Bpps
- Runs NX-OS standalone or as an ACI leaf
- MACsec, SyncE/PTP, and line-rate streaming telemetry
Cisco Nexus 3064PQ vs Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3: spec comparison
| Spec | Cisco Nexus 3064PQ | Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | 1RU | 1RU |
| Access ports | 48x 1/10G SFP+ | 48x 1/10/25G SFP28 |
| Uplink ports | 4x 40G QSFP+ | 6x 40/100G QSFP28 |
| Switching capacity | 1.28 Tbps | 3.6 Tbps |
| Forwarding rate | 950 Mpps | Up to 1.2 Bpps |
| Max per-port speed | 10G access / 40G uplink | 25G access / 100G uplink |
| Operating system | Cisco NX-OS (standalone) | NX-OS standalone or ACI leaf |
| MACsec encryption | No | Yes |
| Timing (PTP/SyncE) | Limited | Yes (PTP, SyncE) |
| Lifecycle status | End of sale and end of support | Current, actively supported |
Choose Cisco Nexus 3064PQ if
There is no new-purchase case for the 3064PQ; keep it only to fill an existing all-10G rack short term where 25G is not yet required and support risk is acceptable.
Choose Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3 if
Choose the 93180YC-FX3 for any new or refreshed leaf/ToR that needs 25G server ports, 100G spine uplinks, MACsec, or an ACI-ready fabric.
Verdict
Migrate from the Nexus 3064PQ to the 93180YC-FX3. The 3064PQ is end of life and capped at 10G/40G, while the FX3 delivers 25G/100G, nearly triple the switching capacity, MACsec, and current NX-OS or ACI support. Only retain 3064PQ units as a brief bridge in racks that have no 25G requirement yet.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cisco Nexus 3064PQ end of life?
Yes. The N3K-C3064PQ-10GE has reached end-of-sale and end-of-support milestones, so it should be planned out of production rather than expanded.
What is the modern replacement for the Nexus 3064?
For most top-of-rack roles the Nexus 9300 93180YC-FX3 is the recommended replacement, moving you from 10G/40G to 25G/100G with current software support.
Does the 93180YC-FX3 support ACI?
Yes. The 93180YC-FX3 can run in standalone NX-OS mode or operate as a leaf in a Cisco ACI fabric, unlike the older 3064PQ.
Can I reuse my 10G optics from the 3064PQ?
The FX3 SFP28 ports are backward compatible with 1/10G SFP/SFP+ optics, so many existing 10G transceivers and cables carry over while you adopt 25G.
More Nexus comparisons
Specs are for planning and may change; Uniqcli confirms the current Cisco bill of materials and pricing on your quote. Cisco, Catalyst, Nexus, Meraki, and Firepower are trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc.; Uniqcli LLC is an independent authorized Cisco partner.