EPYC 7302 vs Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX

AMD

EPYC 7302

16 Cores32 Thrd155 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2019
EPYC family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX

12 Cores24 Thrd280 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Threadripper Pro family
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EPYC 7302 vs Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX Performance Spectrum

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.

EPYC 7302 vs Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX 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 7302 vs Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 7302

2019

Why buy it

  • +5.4% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
  • Costs $171 less on MSRP ($978 MSRP vs $1,149 MSRP).
  • Delivers 17.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 34.3 vs 29.1 PassMark/$ ($978 MSRP vs $1,149 MSRP).
  • Draws 155W instead of 280W, a 125W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (32 MB vs 64 MB).

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +26.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (18,500 vs 19,500).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 29.1 vs 34.3 PassMark/$ ($1,149 MSRP vs $978 MSRP).
  • 80.6% higher power demand at 280W vs 155W.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 7302 better than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX is ahead with a 26.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7302 pulls ahead with 5.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7302 is the stronger fit. You are getting 5.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
EPYC 7302 is the better buy right now. EPYC 7302 comes in $171 cheaper on MSRP at $978 MSRP versus $1,149 MSRP, and it still gives you 5.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The compromise is that Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 26.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 17.6% better value on MSRP (34.3 vs 29.1 PassMark/$), 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 Threadripper PRO 3945WX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019) and 100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

EPYC 7302 vs Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX Technical Specifications

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

AMD

EPYC 7302

The EPYC 7302 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 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 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): 155 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 33,499 points. Launch price was $978.

AMD

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 14 July 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Castle Peak (2020) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: sWRX8. Thermal design power (TDP): 280 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 33,455 points. Launch price was $499.

Processing Power

The EPYC 7302 packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the EPYC 7302 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the EPYC 7302 versus 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX — a 26.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX (base: 3 GHz vs 4 GHz). The EPYC 7302 uses the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture (7 nm, 14 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX uses Castle Peak (2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7302 scores 33,499 against the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX's 33,455 — a 0.1% lead for the EPYC 7302. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 19,500 vs 18,500 (5.3% advantage for the EPYC 7302). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,192 vs 1,652, a 32.3% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 10,254 vs 11,500 (11.5% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX). L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the EPYC 7302 vs 64 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX.

FeatureEPYC 7302Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX
Cores / Threads
16 / 32+33%
12 / 24
Boost Clock
3.3 GHz
4.3 GHz+30%
Base Clock
3 GHz
4 GHz+33%
L3 Cache
32 MB (total)
64 MB+100%
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)
512 kB (per core)
Process
7 nm, 14 nm
7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture
Zen 2 (2017−2020)
Castle Peak (2020)
PassMark
33,499
33,455
Cinebench R23 Multi
19,500+5%
18,500
Geekbench 6 Single
1,192
1,652+39%
Geekbench 6 Multi
10,254
11,500+12%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7302 uses the SP3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX uses sWRX8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. The EPYC 7302 supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 2048 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 128 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: WRX80,SP3 (EPYC 7302) and WRX80 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX).

FeatureEPYC 7302Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX
Socket
SP3
sWRX8
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
4096 GB+100%
2048 GB
RAM Channels
8
8
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
128
128
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V, SEV (EPYC 7302) vs AMD-V (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX). Primary use case: EPYC 7302 targets Server / Multi-thread Workstation, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX targets Professional Workstation. Direct competitor: EPYC 7302 rivals Xeon Gold 6230; Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX rivals Xeon w5-2455X.

FeatureEPYC 7302Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
AMD-V, SEV
AMD-V
Target Use
Server / Multi-thread Workstation
Professional Workstation
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 7302 was priced at $978, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX came in at $1149. On launch pricing ($978 vs $1149), EPYC 7302 was $171 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7302 delivers 34.3 pts/$ vs 29.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX — making the EPYC 7302 the 16.2% better value option.

FeatureEPYC 7302Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX
MSRP
$978-15%
$1149
Performance per Dollar
34.3+18%
29.1
Release Date
2019
2020

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