EPYC 7473X vs Ryzen 5 5600

AMD

EPYC 7473X

24 Cores48 Thrd240 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2022
EPYC family
·······
VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 5600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
Ryzen family
·······

EPYC 7473X 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 7473X 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.

EPYC 7473X 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 7473X

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +11.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 24 cores / 48 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 15.2 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($3,900 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
  • 269.2% higher power demand at 240W vs 65W.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 5600.

Ryzen 5 5600

2022

Why buy it

  • Costs $3,701 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $3,900 MSRP).
  • Delivers 612.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.3 vs 15.2 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $3,900 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 240W, a 175W reduction.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Stealth), unlike EPYC 7473X.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 7473X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (21,550 vs 59,280).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7473X, which brings 24 cores / 48 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 7473X better than Ryzen 5 5600?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 7473X makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 5600 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, EPYC 7473X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 11.6% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 768 MB versus 32 MB.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7473X is the stronger fit. You are getting 175.1% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 2300% larger total L3 cache (768 MB vs 32 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
EPYC 7473X is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 5600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. EPYC 7473X comes in 1859.8% more expensive on MSRP at $3,900 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 5600 is also 612.4% better value on MSRP (108.3 vs 15.2 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
EPYC 7473X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 3D V-Cache and a much larger 768 MB L3 cache instead of 32 MB and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 48 threads instead of 6/12. That extra cache should keep paying off in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

EPYC 7473X vs Ryzen 5 5600 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

EPYC 7473X

The EPYC 7473X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2022-03-01. It is based on the Milan-X (2022) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 768 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 240 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 59,280 points. Launch price was $3,900.

AMD

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 7473X packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the EPYC 7473X has 18 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 7473X versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 17.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The EPYC 7473X uses the Milan-X (2022) architecture (7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7473X scores 59,280 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 93.4% lead for the EPYC 7473X. L3 cache: 768 MB (total) on the EPYC 7473X vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.

FeatureEPYC 7473XRyzen 5 5600
Cores / Threads
24 / 48+300%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
3.7 GHz
4.4 GHz+19%
Base Clock
2.8 GHz
3.5 GHz+25%
L3 Cache
768 MB (total)+2300%
32 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512K (per core)
512K (per core)
Process
7 nm
7 nm
Architecture
Milan-X (2022)
Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark
59,280+175%
21,550
Cinebench R23 Multi
11,077
Geekbench 6 Single
2,052
Geekbench 6 Multi
8,600
🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7473X 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 7473X supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (EPYC 7473X) vs 2 (Ryzen 5 5600). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7473X) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) — the EPYC 7473X offers 104 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7473X) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).

FeatureEPYC 7473XRyzen 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. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (EPYC 7473X) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: EPYC 7473X rivals Xeon Platinum 8380.

FeatureEPYC 7473XRyzen 5 5600
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V
Target Use
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 7473X was priced at $3900, while the Ryzen 5 5600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($3900 vs $199), Ryzen 5 5600 was $3701 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7473X delivers 15.2 pts/$ vs 108.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 150.8% better value option.

FeatureEPYC 7473XRyzen 5 5600
MSRP
$3900
$199-95%
Performance per Dollar
15.2
108.3+613%
Release Date
2022
2022

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.