EPYC 7401 vs Ryzen 9 7940HX

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 7401 vs Ryzen 9 7940HX 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 7401 vs Ryzen 9 7940HX: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 7401

2017

Why buy it

✅+3.1% higher PassMark.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 24 cores / 48 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 9 7940HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,500 MSRP, while Ryzen 9 7940HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌181.8% higher power demand at 155W vs 55W.
❌Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while Ryzen 9 7940HX moves to FL1 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 9 7940HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 9 7940HX

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +23.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 55W instead of 155W, a 100W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FL1 with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with AMD Radeon 610M, while EPYC 7401 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (53,628 vs 55,280).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7401, which brings 24 cores / 48 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 7940HX better than EPYC 7401?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 7401 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 9 7940HX 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 7401 is the stronger fit. You are getting 3.1% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads.

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

Ryzen 9 7940HX is still the faster CPU overall, but EPYC 7401 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 9 7940HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,500 MSRP, and it still gives you a 23.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that EPYC 7401 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 3.1% better PassMark. EPYC 7401 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (36.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Ryzen 9 7940HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2017), a healthier platform with FL1 and DDR5 instead of TR4, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 7401 vs Ryzen 9 7940HX Technical Specifications

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

EPYC 7401

The EPYC 7401 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 29 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Naples (2017−2018) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3 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: 55,280 points. Launch price was $1,850.

Ryzen 9 7940HX

The Ryzen 9 7940HX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2024-01-01. It is based on the Dragon Range-HX (Zen 4) (2023−2024) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FL1. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 53,628 points. Launch price was $600.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 7401 packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Ryzen 9 7940HX offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the EPYC 7401 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the EPYC 7401 versus 5.2 GHz on the Ryzen 9 7940HX — a 53.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 7940HX (base: 2 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The EPYC 7401 uses the Naples (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 9 7940HX uses Dragon Range-HX (Zen 4) (2023−2024) (5 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7401 scores 55,280 against the Ryzen 9 7940HX's 53,628 — a 3% lead for the EPYC 7401. Both processors carry 64 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	EPYC 7401	Ryzen 9 7940HX
Cores / Threads	24 / 48+50%	16 / 32
Boost Clock	3 GHz	5.2 GHz+73%
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.4 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	64 MB (total)	64 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+51100%	1 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	5 nm-64%
Architecture	Naples (2017−2018)	Dragon Range-HX (Zen 4) (2023−2024)
PassMark	55,280+3%	53,628

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Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7401 uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 9 7940HX uses FL1 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2666 on the EPYC 7401 versus 5200 on the Ryzen 9 7940HX — the Ryzen 9 7940HX supports 95% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7401 supports up to 2048 of RAM compared to 128 — 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (EPYC 7401) vs 2 (Ryzen 9 7940HX). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7401) vs 28 (Ryzen 9 7940HX) — the EPYC 7401 offers 100 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7401) and FL1 (Ryzen 9 7940HX).

Feature	EPYC 7401	Ryzen 9 7940HX
Socket	TR4	FL1
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	2666	5200+95%
Max RAM Capacity	2048+1500%	128
RAM Channels	8+300%	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128+357%	28

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Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 9 7940HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen 9 7940HX supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (EPYC 7401) vs VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen 9 7940HX). The Ryzen 9 7940HX includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon 610M), while the EPYC 7401 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: EPYC 7401 rivals Xeon Silver 4114; Ryzen 9 7940HX rivals Core i9-13900HX.