Core i7-9700K vs EPYC 4345P

Intel

Core i7-9700K

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2018
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

EPYC 4345P

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 5.5 GHz2025
EPYC family
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Core i7-9700K vs EPYC 4345P Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i7-9700K vs EPYC 4345P FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i7-9700K vs EPYC 4345P: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 4345P across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 36,006).
    • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 32 MB).
    • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 4345P, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads and 28 PCIe lanes.
    • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.4 vs 109.4 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

    EPYC 4345P

    2025

    Why buy it

    • Better for gaming: +11.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • +166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
    • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads, plus 28 PCIe lanes vs 16.
    • Costs $56 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
    • Delivers 192.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 109.4 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).

    Trade-offs

    • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

    Quick Answers

    So, is EPYC 4345P better than Core i7-9700K?
    Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 4345P makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-9700K is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
    Which one is better for gaming?
    If gaming is the priority, EPYC 4345P is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 11.4% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 4345P is the stronger fit. You are getting 150.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    EPYC 4345P is the better buy right now. EPYC 4345P comes in $56 cheaper on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 192.7% better value on MSRP (109.4 vs 37.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    EPYC 4345P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2018), a healthier platform with AM5 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB), more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/8, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

    Core i7-9700K vs EPYC 4345P Technical Specifications

    Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

    Intel

    Core i7-9700K

    The Core i7-9700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,397 points. Launch price was $374.

    AMD

    EPYC 4345P

    The EPYC 4345P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 13 May 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Grado (2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.5 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 36,006 points. Launch price was $329.

    Processing Power

    The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, matching the EPYC 4345P's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 5.5 GHz on the EPYC 4345P — a 11.5% clock advantage for the EPYC 4345P (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the EPYC 4345P uses Grado (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the EPYC 4345P's 36,006 — a 85.7% lead for the EPYC 4345P. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 32 MB (total) on the EPYC 4345P.

    FeatureCore i7-9700KEPYC 4345P
    Cores / Threads
    8 / 8
    8 / 16
    Boost Clock
    4.9 GHz
    5.5 GHz+12%
    Base Clock
    3.6 GHz
    3.8 GHz+6%
    L3 Cache
    12 MB (total)
    32 MB (total)+167%
    L2 Cache
    256K (per core)+25500%
    1 MB (per core)
    Process
    14 nm
    4 nm-71%
    Architecture
    Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
    Grado (2025)
    PassMark
    14,397
    36,006+150%
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the EPYC 4345P uses AM5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K versus 5600 on the EPYC 4345P — the EPYC 4345P supports 110.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9700K) vs 28 (EPYC 4345P) — the EPYC 4345P offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K) and AM5 (EPYC 4345P).

    FeatureCore i7-9700KEPYC 4345P
    Socket
    LGA1151
    AM5
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 3.0
    PCIe 4.0+33%
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR4-2666
    5600+110%
    Max RAM Capacity
    128 GB
    128 GB
    RAM Channels
    2
    2
    ECC Support
    No
    Yes
    PCIe Lanes
    16
    28+75%
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Only the Core i7-9700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the EPYC 4345P supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K) vs AMD-V, IOMMU (EPYC 4345P). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700K) and AMD Radeon Graphics (EPYC 4345P) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: EPYC 4345P rivals Xeon E-2488.

    FeatureCore i7-9700KEPYC 4345P
    Integrated GPU
    Yes
    Yes
    IGPU Model
    UHD Graphics 630
    AMD Radeon Graphics
    Unlocked
    Yes
    No
    AVX-512
    No
    Yes
    Virtualization
    VT-x, VT-d
    AMD-V, IOMMU
    Target Use
    Desktop
    💰

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the Core i7-9700K was priced at $385, while the EPYC 4345P came in at $329. On launch pricing ($385 vs $329), EPYC 4345P was $56 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 109.4 pts/$ for the EPYC 4345P — making the EPYC 4345P the 98.1% better value option.

    FeatureCore i7-9700KEPYC 4345P
    MSRP
    $385
    $329-15%
    Performance per Dollar
    37.4
    109.4+193%
    Release Date
    2018
    2025

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