EPYC 7303P vs Ryzen 5 3600

CPU

GPU

EPYC 7303P

16 Cores32 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2023

EPYC family

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Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

Ryzen family

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EPYC 7303P vs Ryzen 5 3600 Performance Spectrum

EPYC 7303P

16 / 32

36,487

+106.3%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3995WX

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

Ryzen 5 3600

6 / 12

17,685

0.0%

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.

EPYC 7303P vs Ryzen 5 3600 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 7303P vs Ryzen 5 3600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 7303P

2023

Why buy it

✅+106.3% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 24.
✅433.3% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 61.4 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($594 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌100% higher power demand at 130W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $395 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $594 MSRP).
✅Delivers 44.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 61.4 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $594 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 130W, a 65W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike EPYC 7303P.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (17,685 vs 36,487).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (32 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7303P, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 7303P better than Ryzen 5 3600?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 7303P makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 3600 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 7303P is the stronger fit. You are getting 106.3% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB).

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

EPYC 7303P is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 3600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. EPYC 7303P comes in 198.5% more expensive on MSRP at $594 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you 106.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Ryzen 5 3600 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 3600 is also 44.7% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 61.4 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

EPYC 7303P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2019), 100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB), more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 6/12, 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.

EPYC 7303P vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

EPYC 7303P

The EPYC 7303P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 September 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Milan (2021−2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 36,487 points. Launch price was $594.

Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 7303P packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the EPYC 7303P has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the EPYC 7303P versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 21.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The EPYC 7303P uses the Milan (2021−2023) architecture (7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7303P scores 36,487 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 69.4% lead for the EPYC 7303P. L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 7303P vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	EPYC 7303P	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	16 / 32+167%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	4.2 GHz+24%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3.6 GHz+50%
L3 Cache	64 MB (total)+100%	32 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)	512K (per core)
Process	7 nm	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Milan (2021−2023)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	36,487+106%	17,685
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,898

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Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7303P uses the SP3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to 3200 memory speed. The EPYC 7303P supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (EPYC 7303P) vs 2 (Ryzen 5 3600). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7303P) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the EPYC 7303P offers 104 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7303P) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

Feature	EPYC 7303P	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	SP3	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	3200	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	4096 GB+3100%	128 GB
RAM Channels	8+300%	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	128+433%	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 3600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the EPYC 7303P supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V, IOMMU (EPYC 7303P) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: EPYC 7303P rivals Xeon Gold 6330; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	EPYC 7303P	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	AMD-V, IOMMU	Yes
Target Use	—	Gaming/Budget Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 7303P was priced at $594, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($594 vs $199), Ryzen 5 3600 was $395 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7303P delivers 61.4 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 36.5% better value option.

Feature	EPYC 7303P	Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP	$594	$199-66%
Performance per Dollar	61.4	88.9+45%
Release Date	2023	2019

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