EPYC 7371 vs Ryzen 5 9600X

AMD

EPYC 7371

16 Cores32 Thrd200 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2018
EPYC family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 9600X

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 5.4 GHz2024
Ryzen family
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EPYC 7371 vs Ryzen 5 9600X 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 7371 vs Ryzen 5 9600X 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 7371 vs Ryzen 5 9600X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 7371

2018

Why buy it

  • +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 28.
  • 357.1% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 28) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 9600X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (15,000 vs 17,500).
  • 207.7% higher power demand at 200W vs 65W.
  • Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while Ryzen 5 9600X moves to AM5 and DDR5.
  • No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 5 9600X can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 5 9600X

2024

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +6.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 65W instead of 200W, a 135W reduction.
  • Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core), while EPYC 7371 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (32 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 $279 MSRP, while EPYC 7371 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 9600X 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 Ryzen 5 9600X is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 5 9600X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.4% 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, Ryzen 5 9600X is the stronger fit. You are getting 16.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 5 9600X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 9600X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $279 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (107.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 9600X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2018), a healthier platform with AM5 and DDR5 instead of TR4, more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 16/32, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 7371 vs Ryzen 5 9600X Technical Specifications

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

AMD

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.

AMD

Ryzen 5 9600X

The Ryzen 5 9600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 8 August 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Granite Ridge (2024−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 30,003 points. Launch price was $279.

Processing Power

The EPYC 7371 packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Ryzen 5 9600X offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the EPYC 7371 has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the EPYC 7371 versus 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 9600X — a 34.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 9600X (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The EPYC 7371 uses the Naples (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 9600X uses Granite Ridge (2024−2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7371 scores 30,156 against the Ryzen 5 9600X's 30,003 — a 0.5% lead for the EPYC 7371. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 15,000 vs 17,500 (15.4% advantage for the Ryzen 5 9600X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,216 vs 3,300, a 92.3% lead for the Ryzen 5 9600X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 6,941 vs 15,000 (73.5% advantage for the Ryzen 5 9600X). L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 7371 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 9600X.

FeatureEPYC 7371Ryzen 5 9600X
Cores / Threads
16 / 32+167%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
3.8 GHz
5.4 GHz+42%
Base Clock
3.1 GHz
3.9 GHz+26%
L3 Cache
64 MB (total)+100%
32 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512K (per core)+51100%
1 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
4 nm-71%
Architecture
Naples (2017−2018)
Granite Ridge (2024−2025)
PassMark
30,156
30,003
Cinebench R23 Multi
15,000
17,500+17%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,216
3,300+171%
Geekbench 6 Multi
6,941
15,000+116%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7371 uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 9600X uses AM5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the EPYC 7371 versus DDR5-5600 on the Ryzen 5 9600X — the Ryzen 5 9600X supports 110.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7371 supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 192 GB 966.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (EPYC 7371) vs 2 (Ryzen 5 9600X). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7371) vs 28 (Ryzen 5 9600X) — the EPYC 7371 offers 100 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 platform (EPYC 7371) and X870E,X870,X670E,X670,B650E,B650 (Ryzen 5 9600X).

FeatureEPYC 7371Ryzen 5 9600X
Socket
TR4
AM5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
DDR5-5600+110%
Max RAM Capacity
2048 GB+967%
192 GB
RAM Channels
8+300%
2
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
128+357%
28
🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Ryzen 5 9600X supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V, SVM (EPYC 7371) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 9600X). The Ryzen 5 9600X includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)), while the EPYC 7371 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: EPYC 7371 targets High-frequency Server Workloads, Ryzen 5 9600X targets Gaming. Direct competitor: EPYC 7371 rivals Xeon Gold 6134; Ryzen 5 9600X rivals Intel Core i5-14600K.

FeatureEPYC 7371Ryzen 5 9600X
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)
Unlocked
Yes
Yes
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
AMD-V, SVM
AMD-V
Target Use
High-frequency Server Workloads
Gaming