Core i7-9700K vs EPYC 7352

CPU

GPU

Core i7-9700K

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2018

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EPYC 7352

24 Cores48 Thrd155 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2019

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Core i7-9700K vs EPYC 7352 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-9700K

8 / 8

14,397

0.0%

40,370

+180.4%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

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 7352 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 7352: 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

✅Better for gaming: +17.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $965 less on MSRP ($385 MSRP vs $1,350 MSRP).
✅Delivers 25.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.4 vs 29.9 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $1,350 MSRP).
✅Draws 95W instead of 155W, a 60W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while EPYC 7352 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 40,370).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7352, which brings 24 cores / 48 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

EPYC 7352

2019

Why buy it

✅+180.4% higher PassMark.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 24 cores / 48 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 16.
✅700% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 29.9 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($1,350 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
❌63.2% higher power demand at 155W vs 95W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 7352 better than Core i7-9700K?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 7352 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 streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7352 is the stronger fit. You are getting 180.4% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 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 7352 is still the much better call for a fresh build. EPYC 7352 comes in 250.6% more expensive on MSRP at $1,350 MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it still gives you 180.4% better PassMark. Core i7-9700K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 25.1% better value on paper (37.4 vs 29.9 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

EPYC 7352 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018), 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 48 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-9700K vs EPYC 7352 Technical Specifications

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

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.

EPYC 7352

The EPYC 7352 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm, 14 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 155 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 40,370 points. Launch price was $1,350.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the EPYC 7352 offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the EPYC 7352 has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 3.2 GHz on the EPYC 7352 — a 42% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the EPYC 7352 uses Zen 2 (2017−2020) (7 nm, 14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the EPYC 7352's 40,370 — a 94.8% lead for the EPYC 7352. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 32 MB (total) on the EPYC 7352.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	EPYC 7352
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	24 / 48+200%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+53%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+57%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm, 14 nm-50%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Zen 2 (2017−2020)
PassMark	14,397	40,370+180%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	32,000
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,112
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	7,276

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the EPYC 7352 uses SP3 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K versus DDR4-3200 on the EPYC 7352 — the EPYC 7352 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7352 supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-9700K) vs 8 (EPYC 7352). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9700K) vs 128 (EPYC 7352) — the EPYC 7352 offers 112 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K) and SP3,Rome (EPYC 7352).

Feature	Core i7-9700K	EPYC 7352
Socket	LGA1151	SP3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	4096 GB+3100%
RAM Channels	2	8+300%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	128+700%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-9700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K) vs AMD-V, SEV (EPYC 7352). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the EPYC 7352 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop, EPYC 7352 targets High-density Computing / Server. Direct competitor: EPYC 7352 rivals Xeon Gold 6242.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	EPYC 7352
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V, SEV
Target Use	Desktop	High-density Computing / Server

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9700K was priced at $385, while the EPYC 7352 came in at $1350. On launch pricing ($385 vs $1350), Core i7-9700K was $965 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 29.9 pts/$ for the EPYC 7352 — making the Core i7-9700K the 22.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	EPYC 7352
MSRP	$385-71%	$1350
Performance per Dollar	37.4+25%	29.9
Release Date	2018	2019

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