EPYC 7252 vs Ryzen 5 5500

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.

EPYC 7252 vs Ryzen 5 5500 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.

EPYC 7252 vs Ryzen 5 5500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 7252

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5500 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌84.6% higher power demand at 120W vs 65W.

Ryzen 5 5500

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 65W instead of 120W, a 55W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (19,311 vs 19,411).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7252, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $159 MSRP, while EPYC 7252 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5500 better than EPYC 7252?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 7252 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 5500 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 7252 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).

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

Ryzen 5 5500 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 5500 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $159 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that EPYC 7252 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.5% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (121.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 5 5500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2019). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

EPYC 7252 vs Ryzen 5 5500 Technical Specifications

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

EPYC 7252

The EPYC 7252 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 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 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: 19,411 points. Launch price was $475.

Ryzen 5 5500

The Ryzen 5 5500 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 19,311 points. Launch price was $159.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 7252 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5500 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the EPYC 7252 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the EPYC 7252 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5500 — a 27% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5500 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The EPYC 7252 uses the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture (7 nm, 14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5500 uses Cezanne (2021−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7252 scores 19,411 against the Ryzen 5 5500's 19,311 — a 0.5% lead for the EPYC 7252. L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the EPYC 7252 vs 16 MB on the Ryzen 5 5500.

Feature	EPYC 7252	Ryzen 5 5500
Cores / Threads	8 / 16+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	4.2 GHz+31%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.6 GHz+16%
L3 Cache	32 MB (total)+100%	16 MB
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)	512K (per core)
Process	7 nm, 14 nm	7 nm
Architecture	Zen 2 (2017−2020)	Cezanne (2021−2025)
PassMark	19,411	19,311