Core i9-7960X vs EPYC 7401P

Core i9-7960X vs EPYC 7401P Performance Spectrum

Core i9-7960X

16 / 32

28,020

+0.7%

27,836

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX

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 i9-7960X vs EPYC 7401P 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 i9-7960X vs EPYC 7401P: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-7960X

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 7401P across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (22 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7401P, which brings 24 cores / 48 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,699 MSRP, while EPYC 7401P mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

EPYC 7401P

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+190.9% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 22 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 24 cores / 48 threads.
✅Draws 155W instead of 165W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (27,836 vs 28,020).
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-7960X better than EPYC 7401P?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 7401P makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-7960X 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, Core i9-7960X is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads.

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

Core i9-7960X is the better buy right now. Core i9-7960X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $1,699 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that EPYC 7401P is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 10.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (16.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i9-7960X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 24/48 and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-7960X vs EPYC 7401P Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-7960X

The Core i9-7960X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 22 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 28,020 points. Launch price was $1,699.

EPYC 7401P

The EPYC 7401P 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 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3 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: 27,836 points. Launch price was $1,075.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-7960X packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the EPYC 7401P offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the EPYC 7401P has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-7960X versus 3 GHz on the EPYC 7401P — a 37.8% clock advantage for the Core i9-7960X (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i9-7960X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the EPYC 7401P uses Naples (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-7960X scores 28,020 against the EPYC 7401P's 27,836 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i9-7960X. L3 cache: 22 MB (total) on the Core i9-7960X vs 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 7401P.

Feature	Core i9-7960X	EPYC 7401P
Cores / Threads	16 / 32	24 / 48+50%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+47%	3 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+40%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	22 MB (total)	64 MB (total)+191%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+51100%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Naples (2017−2018)
PassMark	28,020	27,836
Cinebench R23 Multi	22,189	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,394	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-7960X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the EPYC 7401P uses TR4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.