Core i9-9960X vs EPYC 7371

Core i9-9960X vs EPYC 7371 Performance Spectrum

Core i9-9960X

16 / 32

29,927

0.0%

30,156

+0.8%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX

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 i9-9960X vs EPYC 7371 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 i9-9960X vs EPYC 7371: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-9960X

2018

Why buy it

✅+35.7% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 165W instead of 200W, a 35W reduction.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (22 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7371, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,684 MSRP, while EPYC 7371 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

EPYC 7371

2018

Why buy it

✅+190.9% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 22 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 44.
✅190.9% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 44) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,216 vs 1,650).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (6,941 vs 10,700).
❌21.2% higher power demand at 200W vs 165W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-9960X better than EPYC 7371?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 7371 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-9960X is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-9960X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.9% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-9960X is the stronger fit. You are getting 54.2% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads.

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

Core i9-9960X is the better buy right now. Core i9-9960X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $1,684 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (17.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i9-9960X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 16/32 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 i9-9960X vs EPYC 7371 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-9960X

The Core i9-9960X 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 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 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: 29,927 points. Launch price was $1,684.

EPYC 7371

The EPYC 7371 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 16 November 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Naples (2017−2018) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 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: 30,156 points. Launch price was $1,550.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i9-9960X and EPYC 7371 share an identical 16-core/32-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-9960X versus 3.8 GHz on the EPYC 7371 — a 16.9% clock advantage for the Core i9-9960X (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i9-9960X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the EPYC 7371 uses Naples (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9960X scores 29,927 against the EPYC 7371's 30,156 — a 0.8% lead for the EPYC 7371. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,650 vs 1,216, a 30.3% lead for the Core i9-9960X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 10,700 vs 6,941 (42.6% advantage for the Core i9-9960X). L3 cache: 22 MB (total) on the Core i9-9960X vs 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 7371.

Feature	Core i9-9960X	EPYC 7371
Cores / Threads	16 / 32	16 / 32
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+18%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.1 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	29,927	30,156
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	15,000
Geekbench 6 Single	1,650+36%	1,216
Geekbench 6 Multi	10,700+54%	6,941

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9960X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the EPYC 7371 uses TR4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. The EPYC 7371 supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Core i9-9960X) vs 8 (EPYC 7371). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i9-9960X) vs 128 (EPYC 7371) — the EPYC 7371 offers 84 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i9-9960X) and SP3 platform (EPYC 7371).

Feature	Core i9-9960X	EPYC 7371
Socket	LGA2066	TR4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	2048 GB+1500%
RAM Channels	4	8+100%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	44	128+191%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-9960X supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-9960X) vs AMD-V, SVM (EPYC 7371). Primary use case: Core i9-9960X targets HEDT, EPYC 7371 targets High-frequency Server Workloads. Direct competitor: EPYC 7371 rivals Xeon Gold 6134.