EPYC 7401
Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX
EPYC 7401 vs Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX 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 7401 vs Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX 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 7401 vs Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX: 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
2017Why buy it
- ✅Draws 155W instead of 350W, a 195W reduction.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark (55,280 vs 56,854).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 36.9 vs 42.4 PassMark/$ ($1,500 MSRP vs $1,340 MSRP).
- ❌Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX moves to sTR5 and DDR5.
Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX
2025Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +31.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Costs $160 less on MSRP ($1,340 MSRP vs $1,500 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 15.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 42.4 vs 36.9 PassMark/$ ($1,340 MSRP vs $1,500 MSRP).
- ✅Newer platform on sTR5 with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.
Trade-offs
- ❌125.8% higher power demand at 350W vs 155W.
Quick Answers
So, is Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX better than EPYC 7401?
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 7401 vs Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX 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 Threadripper PRO 9945WX
The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2025-01-01. It is based on the Shimada Peak (2025) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 4.7 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: sTR5. Thermal design power (TDP): 350 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 56,854 points. Launch price was $2,000.
Processing Power
The EPYC 7401 packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the EPYC 7401 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the EPYC 7401 versus 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX — a 57.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX (base: 2 GHz vs 4.7 GHz). The EPYC 7401 uses the Naples (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX uses Shimada Peak (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7401 scores 55,280 against the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX's 56,854 — a 2.8% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX. Both processors carry 64 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | EPYC 7401 | Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 24 / 48+100% | 12 / 24 |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz | 5.4 GHz+80% |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz | 4.7 GHz+135% |
| L3 Cache | 64 MB (total) | 64 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core)+51100% | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 4 nm-71% |
| Architecture | Naples (2017−2018) | Shimada Peak (2025) |
| PassMark | 55,280 | 56,854+3% |
Memory & Platform
The EPYC 7401 uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX uses sTR5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2666 on the EPYC 7401 versus 6400 on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX supports 140.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 2048 of RAM. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 128 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7401) and WRX90,TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX).
| Feature | EPYC 7401 | Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | TR4 | sTR5 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 2666 | 6400+140% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 2048 | 2048 |
| RAM Channels | 8 | 8 |
| ECC Support | Yes | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | 128 | 128 |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX 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 Threadripper PRO 9945WX). Direct competitor: EPYC 7401 rivals Xeon Silver 4114; Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX rivals Xeon w7-3545.
| Feature | EPYC 7401 | Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | None |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V |
Value Analysis
At launch, the EPYC 7401 was priced at $1500, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX came in at $1340. On launch pricing ($1500 vs $1340), Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX was $160 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7401 delivers 36.9 pts/$ vs 42.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX — making the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX the 14.1% better value option.
| Feature | EPYC 7401 | Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1500 | $1340-11% |
| Performance per Dollar | 36.9 | 42.4+15% |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2025 |
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