Core i9-7920X vs EPYC 7351

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i9-7920X

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 140W instead of 155W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (17 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7351, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,199 MSRP, while EPYC 7351 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

EPYC 7351

2017

Why buy it

✅+287.9% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 17 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (23,226 vs 23,508).

Core i9-7920X

2017

EPYC 7351

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 140W instead of 155W, a 15W reduction.

Why buy it

✅+287.9% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 17 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (17 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7351, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,199 MSRP, while EPYC 7351 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (23,226 vs 23,508).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-7920X better than EPYC 7351?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. EPYC 7351 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-7920X is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-7920X is the better fit because it leads the single-thread side of the matchup with 51.7% higher max boost clock.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-7920X is the better fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i9-7920X is the smarter buy today. Core i9-7920X is at an unclear MSRP at $1,199 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you 1.2% higher PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (19.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

EPYC 7351 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more overall headroom and a better platform outlook.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i9-7920X Benchmark Check

EPYC 7351 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i9-7920X	EPYC 7351
1080p
low	163 FPS	183 FPS
medium	142 FPS	160 FPS
high	113 FPS	128 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	102 FPS
1440p
low	140 FPS	151 FPS
medium	119 FPS	126 FPS
high	94 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	79 FPS	77 FPS
4K
low	76 FPS	70 FPS
medium	70 FPS	62 FPS
high	55 FPS	48 FPS
ultra	43 FPS	39 FPS

Open Core i9-7920X Open EPYC 7351

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i9-7920X	EPYC 7351
1080p
low	352 FPS	353 FPS
medium	300 FPS	321 FPS
high	274 FPS	271 FPS
ultra	243 FPS	219 FPS
1440p
low	315 FPS	305 FPS
medium	274 FPS	279 FPS
high	249 FPS	239 FPS
ultra	215 FPS	187 FPS
4K
low	227 FPS	190 FPS
medium	201 FPS	176 FPS
high	191 FPS	151 FPS
ultra	162 FPS	122 FPS

Open Core i9-7920X Open EPYC 7351

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i9-7920X	EPYC 7351
1080p
low	560 FPS	581 FPS
medium	468 FPS	513 FPS
high	420 FPS	462 FPS
ultra	366 FPS	396 FPS
1440p
low	507 FPS	513 FPS
medium	431 FPS	428 FPS
high	385 FPS	376 FPS
ultra	334 FPS	323 FPS
4K
low	390 FPS	381 FPS
medium	322 FPS	305 FPS
high	284 FPS	269 FPS
ultra	231 FPS	219 FPS

Open Core i9-7920X Open EPYC 7351

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i9-7920X	EPYC 7351
1080p
low	588 FPS	581 FPS
medium	588 FPS	581 FPS
high	588 FPS	581 FPS
ultra	588 FPS	569 FPS
1440p
low	588 FPS	581 FPS
medium	588 FPS	581 FPS
high	579 FPS	504 FPS
ultra	502 FPS	425 FPS
4K
low	531 FPS	476 FPS
medium	480 FPS	430 FPS
high	424 FPS	378 FPS
ultra	366 FPS	323 FPS

Open Core i9-7920X Open EPYC 7351

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-7920X and EPYC 7351

Core i9-7920X

The Core i9-7920X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 September 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 16.5 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 23,508 points. Launch price was $1,199.

EPYC 7351

The EPYC 7351 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 29 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Naples (2017−2018) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 170 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 23,226 points. Launch price was $1,100.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-7920X packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the EPYC 7351 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the EPYC 7351 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-7920X versus 2.9 GHz on the EPYC 7351 — a 41.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-7920X (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i9-7920X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the EPYC 7351 uses Naples (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-7920X scores 23,508 against the EPYC 7351's 23,226 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i9-7920X. L3 cache: 16.5 MB (total) on the Core i9-7920X vs 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 7351.

Feature	Core i9-7920X	EPYC 7351
Cores / Threads	12 / 24	16 / 32+33%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+52%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+21%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	16.5 MB (total)	64 MB (total)+288%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+100%	512K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Naples (2017−2018)
PassMark	23,508+1%	23,226

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-7920X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the EPYC 7351 uses TR4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.