Core i9-9920X vs EPYC 7272

Core i9-9920X vs EPYC 7272 Performance Spectrum

Core i9-9920X

12 / 24

24,974

0.0%

25,161

+0.7%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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 i9-9920X vs EPYC 7272 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 i9-9920X vs EPYC 7272: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-9920X

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (24,974 vs 25,161).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (19 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,189 MSRP, while EPYC 7272 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌37.5% higher power demand at 165W vs 120W.

EPYC 7272

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅+66.2% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 19 MB).
✅Draws 120W instead of 165W, a 45W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9920X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 7272 better than Core i9-9920X?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 7272 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-9920X 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 7272 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 66.2% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 19 MB).

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

EPYC 7272 is still the much better call for a fresh build. EPYC 7272 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,189 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. Core i9-9920X only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (21.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA2066.

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

EPYC 7272 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018), 66.2% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 19 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 12/24. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-9920X vs EPYC 7272 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-9920X

The Core i9-9920X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 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: 24,974 points. Launch price was $1,189.

EPYC 7272

The EPYC 7272 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 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 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): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 25,161 points. Launch price was $625.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i9-9920X and EPYC 7272 share an identical 12-core/24-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-9920X versus 3.2 GHz on the EPYC 7272 — a 33.8% clock advantage for the Core i9-9920X (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i9-9920X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the EPYC 7272 uses Zen 2 (2017−2020) (7 nm, 14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9920X scores 24,974 against the EPYC 7272's 25,161 — a 0.7% lead for the EPYC 7272. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-9920X vs 32 MB (total) on the EPYC 7272.

Feature	Core i9-9920X	EPYC 7272
Cores / Threads	12 / 24	12 / 24
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+41%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+21%	2.9 GHz
L3 Cache	19.25 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+66%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+100%	512 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	7 nm, 14 nm-50%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Zen 2 (2017−2020)
PassMark	24,974	25,161

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9920X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the EPYC 7272 uses SP3 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.