Core i9-9990XE vs EPYC 7371

Core i9-9990XE vs EPYC 7371 Performance Spectrum

Core i9-9990XE

14 / 28

30,162

0.0%

30,156

0.0%

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 i9-9990XE 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 i9-9990XE 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 i9-9990XE

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (19 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 $2,000 MSRP, while EPYC 7371 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌27.5% higher power demand at 255W vs 200W.

EPYC 7371

2018

Why buy it

✅+232.5% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 19 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 44.
✅Draws 200W instead of 255W, a 55W reduction.
✅190.9% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 44) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9990XE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (6,941 vs 16,199).
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-9990XE 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 i9-9990XE 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 i9-9990XE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 19.6% 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 i9-9990XE is the stronger fit. You are getting 133.4% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 14 cores and 28 threads.

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

Core i9-9990XE is the better buy right now. Core i9-9990XE comes in at an unclear MSRP at $2,000 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 19.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (15.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i9-9990XE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018), more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 28 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 i9-9990XE vs EPYC 7371 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-9990XE

The Core i9-9990XE 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 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 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): 255 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 30,162 points. Launch price was $2,800.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-9990XE packs 14 cores / 28 threads, while the EPYC 7371 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the EPYC 7371 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-9990XE versus 3.8 GHz on the EPYC 7371 — a 29.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-9990XE (base: 4 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i9-9990XE uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the EPYC 7371 uses Naples (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9990XE scores 30,162 against the EPYC 7371's 30,156 — a 0% lead for the Core i9-9990XE. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,392 vs 1,216, a 13.5% lead for the Core i9-9990XE that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 16,199 vs 6,941 (80% advantage for the Core i9-9990XE). L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-9990XE vs 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 7371.

Feature	Core i9-9990XE	EPYC 7371
Cores / Threads	14 / 28	16 / 32+14%
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+34%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+29%	3.1 GHz
L3 Cache	19.25 MB (total)	64 MB (total)+232%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+51100%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Naples (2017−2018)
PassMark	30,162	30,156
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	15,000
Geekbench 6 Single	1,392+14%	1,216
Geekbench 6 Multi	16,199+133%	6,941

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9990XE 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 i9-9990XE) vs 8 (EPYC 7371). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i9-9990XE) vs 128 (EPYC 7371) — the EPYC 7371 offers 84 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i9-9990XE) and SP3 platform (EPYC 7371).

Feature	Core i9-9990XE	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 i9-9990XE supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-9990XE) vs AMD-V, SVM (EPYC 7371). Primary use case: Core i9-9990XE targets HEDT, EPYC 7371 targets High-frequency Server Workloads. Direct competitor: Core i9-9990XE rivals Threadripper 2970WX; EPYC 7371 rivals Xeon Gold 6134.