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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

EPYC 7551P

2017

Why buy it

✅+2.6% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 32 cores / 64 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 24.
✅433.3% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 9700X across 43 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 18.1 vs 103.5 PassMark/$ ($2,100 MSRP vs $359 MSRP).
❌176.9% higher power demand at 180W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while Ryzen 7 9700X moves to AM5 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 7 9700X can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 7 9700X

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +23.3% higher average FPS across 43 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $1,741 less on MSRP ($359 MSRP vs $2,100 MSRP).
✅Delivers 470.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 103.5 vs 18.1 PassMark/$ ($359 MSRP vs $2,100 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 180W, a 115W reduction.
✅Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (37,145 vs 38,111).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (32 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7551P, which brings 32 cores / 64 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

EPYC 7551P

2017

Ryzen 7 9700X

2024

Why buy it

✅+2.6% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 32 cores / 64 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 24.
✅433.3% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +23.3% higher average FPS across 43 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $1,741 less on MSRP ($359 MSRP vs $2,100 MSRP).
✅Delivers 470.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 103.5 vs 18.1 PassMark/$ ($359 MSRP vs $2,100 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 180W, a 115W reduction.
✅Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 9700X across 43 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 18.1 vs 103.5 PassMark/$ ($2,100 MSRP vs $359 MSRP).
❌176.9% higher power demand at 180W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while Ryzen 7 9700X moves to AM5 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 7 9700X can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (37,145 vs 38,111).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (32 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7551P, which brings 32 cores / 64 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 9700X better than EPYC 7551P?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. EPYC 7551P makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 7 9700X is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7551P is the better fit. You are getting 2.6% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB).

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

Ryzen 7 9700X is the smarter buy today. Ryzen 7 9700X is $1,741 cheaper on MSRP at $359 MSRP versus $2,100 MSRP, and it gives you a 23.3% average FPS lead across 43 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that EPYC 7551P is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 2.6% better PassMark. It is also 470.1% better value on MSRP (103.5 vs 18.1 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Ryzen 7 9700X is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2017) and a healthier platform with AM5 and DDR5 instead of TR4. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

EPYC 7551P Benchmark Check

Ryzen 7 9700X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	EPYC 7551P	Ryzen 7 9700X
1080p
low	187 FPS	265 FPS
medium	165 FPS	245 FPS
high	132 FPS	209 FPS
ultra	105 FPS	179 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	226 FPS
medium	127 FPS	188 FPS
high	97 FPS	154 FPS
ultra	78 FPS	135 FPS
4K
low	71 FPS	157 FPS
medium	63 FPS	131 FPS
high	48 FPS	101 FPS
ultra	39 FPS	87 FPS

Open EPYC 7551P Open Ryzen 7 9700X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	EPYC 7551P	Ryzen 7 9700X
1080p
low	207 FPS	639 FPS
medium	188 FPS	526 FPS
high	160 FPS	436 FPS
ultra	131 FPS	392 FPS
1440p
low	178 FPS	545 FPS
medium	163 FPS	470 FPS
high	141 FPS	395 FPS
ultra	111 FPS	337 FPS
4K
low	112 FPS	319 FPS
medium	103 FPS	281 FPS
high	92 FPS	265 FPS
ultra	75 FPS	232 FPS

Open EPYC 7551P Open Ryzen 7 9700X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	EPYC 7551P	Ryzen 7 9700X
1080p
low	620 FPS	929 FPS
medium	518 FPS	744 FPS
high	466 FPS	650 FPS
ultra	399 FPS	558 FPS
1440p
low	517 FPS	736 FPS
medium	432 FPS	589 FPS
high	378 FPS	506 FPS
ultra	325 FPS	431 FPS
4K
low	383 FPS	508 FPS
medium	308 FPS	420 FPS
high	270 FPS	378 FPS
ultra	220 FPS	318 FPS

Open EPYC 7551P Open Ryzen 7 9700X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	EPYC 7551P	Ryzen 7 9700X
1080p
low	834 FPS	929 FPS
medium	758 FPS	929 FPS
high	651 FPS	850 FPS
ultra	561 FPS	756 FPS
1440p
low	667 FPS	889 FPS
medium	584 FPS	773 FPS
high	500 FPS	678 FPS
ultra	420 FPS	584 FPS
4K
low	475 FPS	582 FPS
medium	427 FPS	517 FPS
high	375 FPS	466 FPS
ultra	320 FPS	405 FPS

Open EPYC 7551P Open Ryzen 7 9700X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of EPYC 7551P and Ryzen 7 9700X

EPYC 7551P

The EPYC 7551P 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 32 cores and 64 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): 180 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 38,111 points. Launch price was $2,100.

Ryzen 7 9700X

The Ryzen 7 9700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 8 August 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Granite Ridge (2024−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.5 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 37,145 points. Launch price was $359.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 7551P packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Ryzen 7 9700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the EPYC 7551P has 24 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the EPYC 7551P versus 5.5 GHz on the Ryzen 7 9700X — a 58.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 9700X (base: 2 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The EPYC 7551P uses the Naples (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 9700X uses Granite Ridge (2024−2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7551P scores 38,111 against the Ryzen 7 9700X's 37,145 — a 2.6% lead for the EPYC 7551P. L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 7551P vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 9700X.

Feature	EPYC 7551P	Ryzen 7 9700X
Cores / Threads	32 / 64+300%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	3 GHz	5.5 GHz+83%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.8 GHz+90%
L3 Cache	64 MB (total)+100%	32 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	1 MB (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	4 nm-71%
Architecture	Naples (2017−2018)	Granite Ridge (2024−2025)
PassMark	38,111+3%	37,145

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Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7551P uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 7 9700X uses AM5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2666 on the EPYC 7551P versus 5600 on the Ryzen 7 9700X — the Ryzen 7 9700X supports 71% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7551P supports up to 2048 of RAM compared to 256 — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (EPYC 7551P) vs 2 (Ryzen 7 9700X). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7551P) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 9700X) — the EPYC 7551P offers 104 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7551P) and X870E,X670E,B650 (Ryzen 7 9700X).

Feature	EPYC 7551P	Ryzen 7 9700X
Socket	TR4	AM5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	2666	5600+110%
Max RAM Capacity	2048+700%	256
RAM Channels	8+300%	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128+433%	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 7 9700X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: AMD-V, IOMMU (EPYC 7551P) vs VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen 7 9700X). The Ryzen 7 9700X includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)), while the EPYC 7551P requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: EPYC 7551P rivals Xeon Platinum 8160; Ryzen 7 9700X rivals Core i7-14700K.

Feature	EPYC 7551P	Ryzen 7 9700X
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	None	AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	AMD-V, IOMMU	VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V

💰

Value Analysis

The EPYC 7551P launched at $2100 MSRP, while the Ryzen 7 9700X debuted at $359. On MSRP ($2100 vs $359), the Ryzen 7 9700X is $1741 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7551P delivers 18.1 pts/$ vs 103.5 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 9700X — making the Ryzen 7 9700X the 140.3% better value option.