Core i7-9700K vs EPYC 9454P

Intel

Core i7-9700K

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2018
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

EPYC 9454P

48 Cores96 Thrd290 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2022
EPYC family
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Core i7-9700K vs EPYC 9454P 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 9454P 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 9454P: 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

  • Costs $4,213 less on MSRP ($385 MSRP vs $4,598 MSRP).
  • Delivers 81.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.4 vs 20.6 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $4,598 MSRP).
  • Draws 95W instead of 290W, a 195W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while EPYC 9454P needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • No 3D V-Cache or similar L3 advantage, which matters in CPU-limited gaming (12 MB vs 256 MB).
  • Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 94,686).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9454P, which brings 48 cores / 96 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
  • Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while EPYC 9454P moves to SP5 and DDR5.

EPYC 9454P

2022

Why buy it

  • Massive L3 cache advantage with 256 MB vs 12 MB, which is a real win in CPU-limited gaming.
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 48 cores / 96 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 16.
  • Newer platform on SP5 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.
  • 700% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 20.6 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($4,598 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
  • 205.3% higher power demand at 290W vs 95W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9454P better than Core i7-9700K?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 9454P 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 9454P is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.6% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 256 MB versus 12 MB.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9454P is the stronger fit. You are getting 557.7% better PassMark, backed by 48 cores and 96 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 2033.3% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
EPYC 9454P is still the much better call for a fresh build. EPYC 9454P comes in 1094.3% more expensive on MSRP at $4,598 MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-9700K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 81.6% better value on paper (37.4 vs 20.6 PassMark/$), 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 9454P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2018), a healthier platform with SP5 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, 3D V-Cache and a much larger 256 MB L3 cache instead of 12 MB, and more multi-core headroom with 48 cores / 96 threads instead of 8/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-9700K vs EPYC 9454P 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 9454P

The EPYC 9454P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 November 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture. It features 48 cores and 96 threads. Base frequency is 2.75 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm, 6 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 290 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 94,686 points. Launch price was $4,598.

Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the EPYC 9454P offers 48 cores / 96 threads — the EPYC 9454P has 40 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 3.8 GHz on the EPYC 9454P — a 25.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.75 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the EPYC 9454P uses Genoa (2022−2023) (5 nm, 6 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the EPYC 9454P's 94,686 — a 147.2% lead for the EPYC 9454P. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9454P.

FeatureCore i7-9700KEPYC 9454P
Cores / Threads
8 / 8
48 / 96+500%
Boost Clock
4.9 GHz+29%
3.8 GHz
Base Clock
3.6 GHz+31%
2.75 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
256 MB (total)+2033%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+25500%
1 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
5 nm, 6 nm-64%
Architecture
Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
Genoa (2022−2023)
PassMark
14,397
94,686+558%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,923
Geekbench 6 Multi
18,576
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the EPYC 9454P uses SP5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K versus DDR5-4800 on the EPYC 9454P — the EPYC 9454P supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9454P supports up to 6 TB of RAM compared to 128 GB 4700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-9700K) vs 12 (EPYC 9454P). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9700K) vs 128 (EPYC 9454P) — the EPYC 9454P offers 112 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K) and SP5 (EPYC 9454P).

FeatureCore i7-9700KEPYC 9454P
Socket
LGA1151
SP5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
DDR5-4800+80%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
6 TB+4700%
RAM Channels
2
12+500%
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
128+700%
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K) vs AMD-V, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9454P). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the EPYC 9454P requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop, EPYC 9454P targets Data Center / Single Socket. Direct competitor: EPYC 9454P rivals Xeon 8468.

FeatureCore i7-9700KEPYC 9454P
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V, SEV-SNP
Target Use
Desktop
Data Center / Single Socket
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9700K was priced at $385, while the EPYC 9454P came in at $4598. On launch pricing ($385 vs $4598), Core i7-9700K was $4213 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 20.6 pts/$ for the EPYC 9454P — making the Core i7-9700K the 58% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-9700KEPYC 9454P
MSRP
$385-92%
$4598
Performance per Dollar
37.4+82%
20.6
Release Date
2018
2022

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