EPYC 73F3
Ryzen 5 5600
EPYC 73F3 vs Ryzen 5 5600 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 73F3 vs Ryzen 5 5600 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
EPYC 73F3 vs Ryzen 5 5600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict
See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.
EPYC 73F3
2021Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +9.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅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
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.1 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($3,521 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
- ❌269.2% higher power demand at 240W vs 65W.
- ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 5600.
Ryzen 5 5600
2022Why buy it
- ✅Costs $3,322 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $3,521 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 727.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.3 vs 13.1 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $3,521 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 65W instead of 240W, a 175W reduction.
- ✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Stealth), unlike EPYC 73F3.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 73F3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark (21,550 vs 46,103).
- ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 73F3, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
Quick Answers
So, is EPYC 73F3 better than Ryzen 5 5600?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
EPYC 73F3 vs Ryzen 5 5600 Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.
EPYC 73F3
The EPYC 73F3 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 15 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Milan (2021−2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm+ process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 240 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 46,103 points. Launch price was $3,521.
Ryzen 5 5600
The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). 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: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The EPYC 73F3 packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the EPYC 73F3 has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the EPYC 73F3 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 9.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The EPYC 73F3 uses the Milan (2021−2023) architecture (7 nm+), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 73F3 scores 46,103 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 72.6% lead for the EPYC 73F3. L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 73F3 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | EPYC 73F3 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 16 / 32+167% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 4 GHz | 4.4 GHz+10% |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz | 3.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 256 MB (total)+700% | 32 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 7 nm+ | 7 nm |
| Architecture | Milan (2021−2023) | Vermeer (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 46,103+114% | 21,550 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 11,077 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 2,052 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 8,600 |
Memory & Platform
The EPYC 73F3 uses the SP3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to 3200 memory speed. The EPYC 73F3 supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (EPYC 73F3) vs 2 (Ryzen 5 5600). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 73F3) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) — the EPYC 73F3 offers 104 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3,C621A (EPYC 73F3) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).
| Feature | EPYC 73F3 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | 128+433% | 24 |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 5 5600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the EPYC 73F3 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (EPYC 73F3) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: EPYC 73F3 rivals Xeon Platinum 8362.
| Feature | EPYC 73F3 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | Yes | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
Value Analysis
At launch, the EPYC 73F3 was priced at $3521, while the Ryzen 5 5600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($3521 vs $199), Ryzen 5 5600 was $3322 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 73F3 delivers 13.1 pts/$ vs 108.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 156.9% better value option.
| Feature | EPYC 73F3 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $3521 | $199-94% |
| Performance per Dollar | 13.1 | 108.3+727% |
| Release Date | 2021 | 2022 |
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