EPYC 7402 vs Ryzen 9 5900X
EPYC 7402
Ryzen 9 5900X
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar EPYC 7402
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 9 5900X
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | EPYC 7402 | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($2,285) | ✅ More affordable ($350) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Zen 2 (2017−2020) / 7 nm, 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) / 7 nm, 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | EPYC 7402 | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+453%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($2,285) | ✅ More affordable ($350) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of EPYC 7402 and Ryzen 9 5900X
EPYC 7402
The EPYC 7402 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.35 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm, 14 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 180 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 46,012 points. Launch price was $1,783.
Ryzen 9 5900X
The Ryzen 9 5900X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 38,955 points. Launch price was $549.
Processing Power
The EPYC 7402 packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the EPYC 7402 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.35 GHz on the EPYC 7402 versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X — a 35.6% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The EPYC 7402 uses the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture (7 nm, 14 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7402 scores 46,012 against the Ryzen 9 5900X's 38,955 — a 16.6% lead for the EPYC 7402. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 28,546 vs 21,000 (30.5% advantage for the EPYC 7402). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,299 vs 2,174, a 50.4% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,622 vs 11,888 (6% advantage for the EPYC 7402). L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the EPYC 7402 vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X.
| Feature | EPYC 7402 | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 24 / 48+100% | 12 / 24 |
| Boost Clock | 3.35 GHz | 4.8 GHz+43% |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz | 3.7 GHz+32% |
| L3 Cache | 32 MB (total) | 64 MB+100% |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 7 nm, 14 nm | 7 nm, 12 nm |
| Architecture | Zen 2 (2017−2020) | Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) |
| PassMark | 46,012+18% | 38,955 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 28,546+36% | 21,000 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,299 | 2,174+67% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 12,622+6% | 11,888 |
Memory & Platform
The EPYC 7402 uses the SP3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. The EPYC 7402 supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 187.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (EPYC 7402) vs 2 (Ryzen 9 5900X). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7402) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 5900X) — the EPYC 7402 offers 104 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3,Rome (EPYC 7402) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 9 5900X).
| Feature | EPYC 7402 | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | SP3 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-3200 | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4096 GB+3100% | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 8+300% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 128+433% | 24 |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 9 5900X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V, SEV, IOMMU (EPYC 7402) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5900X). Primary use case: EPYC 7402 targets Server / Workstation, Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: EPYC 7402 rivals Xeon Gold 6242; Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.
| Feature | EPYC 7402 | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V, SEV, IOMMU | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Server / Workstation | Workstation |
Value Analysis
The EPYC 7402 launched at $1783 MSRP, while the Ryzen 9 5900X debuted at $549. At current prices ($2285 vs $350), the Ryzen 9 5900X is $1935 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7402 delivers 20.1 pts/$ vs 111.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 5900X — making the Ryzen 9 5900X the 138.7% better value option.
| Feature | EPYC 7402 | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1783 | $549-69% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $2285 | $350-85% |
| Performance per Dollar | 20.1 | 111.3+454% |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2020 |
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