EPYC 7663
Ryzen 9 5900X
EPYC 7663 vs Ryzen 9 5900X 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 7663 vs Ryzen 9 5900X 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 7663 vs Ryzen 9 5900X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict
See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.
EPYC 7663
2021Why buy it
- ✅+4.1% higher Geekbench multi-core.
- ✅+300% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 64 MB).
- ✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 56 cores / 112 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 9 5900X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.9 vs 71.0 PassMark/$ ($6,366 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
- ❌128.6% higher power demand at 240W vs 105W.
Ryzen 9 5900X
2020Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +35.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Costs $5,817 less on MSRP ($549 MSRP vs $6,366 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 450.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 71.0 vs 12.9 PassMark/$ ($549 MSRP vs $6,366 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 105W instead of 240W, a 135W reduction.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (11,888 vs 12,380).
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (64 MB vs 256 MB).
- ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7663, which brings 56 cores / 112 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
Quick Answers
So, is Ryzen 9 5900X better than EPYC 7663?
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 7663 vs Ryzen 9 5900X Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.
EPYC 7663
The EPYC 7663 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 15 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Milan (2021−2023) architecture. It features 56 cores and 112 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm+ process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 240 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 82,120 points. Launch price was $6,366.
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 7663 packs 56 cores / 112 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the EPYC 7663 has 44 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the EPYC 7663 versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X — a 31.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X (base: 2 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The EPYC 7663 uses the Milan (2021−2023) architecture (7 nm+), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7663 scores 82,120 against the Ryzen 9 5900X's 38,955 — a 71.3% lead for the EPYC 7663. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,370 vs 2,174, a 45.4% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,380 vs 11,888 (4.1% advantage for the EPYC 7663). L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 7663 vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X.
| Feature | EPYC 7663 | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 56 / 112+367% | 12 / 24 |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz | 4.8 GHz+37% |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz | 3.7 GHz+85% |
| L3 Cache | 256 MB (total)+300% | 64 MB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 7 nm+ | 7 nm, 12 nm |
| Architecture | Milan (2021−2023) | Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) |
| PassMark | 82,120+111% | 38,955 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 21,000 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,370 | 2,174+59% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 12,380+4% | 11,888 |
Memory & Platform
The EPYC 7663 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 7663 supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (EPYC 7663) vs 2 (Ryzen 9 5900X). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7663) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 5900X) — the EPYC 7663 offers 104 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7663) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 9 5900X).
| Feature | EPYC 7663 | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| 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. Both support AMD-V virtualization. Primary use case: EPYC 7663 targets Server, Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: EPYC 7663 rivals Xeon Platinum 8380; Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.
| Feature | EPYC 7663 | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Server | Workstation |
Value Analysis
At launch, the EPYC 7663 was priced at $6366, while the Ryzen 9 5900X came in at $549. On launch pricing ($6366 vs $549), Ryzen 9 5900X was $5817 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7663 delivers 12.9 pts/$ vs 71.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 5900X — making the Ryzen 9 5900X the 138.5% better value option.
| Feature | EPYC 7663 | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $6366 | $549-91% |
| Performance per Dollar | 12.9 | 71.0+450% |
| Release Date | 2021 | 2020 |
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