EPYC 7773X vs Ryzen 5 3600

AMD

EPYC 7773X

64 Cores128 Thrd280 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2022
VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

EPYC 7773X vs Ryzen 5 3600 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 7773X vs Ryzen 5 3600 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 7773X vs Ryzen 5 3600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

EPYC 7773X

2022

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +13.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 64 cores / 128 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 24.
  • βœ…433.3% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.4 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($8,800 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
  • ❌330.8% higher power demand at 280W vs 65W.
  • ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

  • βœ…Costs $8,601 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $8,800 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 756.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 10.4 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $8,800 MSRP).
  • βœ…Draws 65W instead of 280W, a 215W reduction.
  • βœ…Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike EPYC 7773X.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 7773X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,898 vs 45,000).
  • ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7773X, which brings 64 cores / 128 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 7773X better than Ryzen 5 3600?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 7773X makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 3600 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 7773X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 13.2% 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 7773X is the stronger fit. You are getting 2270.9% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 64 cores and 128 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 7773X is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 3600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. EPYC 7773X comes in 4322.1% more expensive on MSRP at $8,800 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 3600 is also 756.2% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 10.4 PassMark/$), 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 7773X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2019), 3D V-Cache and a much larger 768 MB L3 cache instead of 32 MB, and more multi-core headroom with 64 cores / 128 threads instead of 6/12. That extra cache should keep paying off in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

EPYC 7773X vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

EPYC 7773X

The EPYC 7773X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2022-03-22. It is based on the Milan-X (2022) architecture. It features 64 cores and 128 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 768 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 280 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 91,340 points. Launch price was $8,800.

AMD

Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019βˆ’2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.

⚑

Processing Power

The EPYC 7773X packs 64 cores / 128 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads β€” the EPYC 7773X has 58 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the EPYC 7773X versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 β€” a 18.2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The EPYC 7773X uses the Milan-X (2022) architecture (7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019βˆ’2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7773X scores 91,340 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 β€” a 135.1% lead for the EPYC 7773X. Geekbench 6 single-core β€” the metric most relevant to gaming β€” records 1,536 vs 1,295, a 17% lead for the EPYC 7773X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 45,000 vs 1,898 (183.8% advantage for the EPYC 7773X). L3 cache: 768 MB (total) on the EPYC 7773X vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

FeatureEPYC 7773XRyzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads
64 / 128+967%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
3.5 GHz
4.2 GHz+20%
Base Clock
2.2 GHz
3.6 GHz+64%
L3 Cache
768 MB (total)+2300%
32 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512K (per core)
512K (per core)
Process
7 nm
7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture
Milan-X (2022)
Matisse (2019βˆ’2020)
PassMark
91,340+416%
17,685
Cinebench R23 Multi
β€”
9,500
Geekbench 6 Single
1,536+19%
1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi
45,000+2271%
1,898
🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7773X uses the SP3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. The EPYC 7773X supports up to 4 TB of RAM compared to 128 GB β€” 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (EPYC 7773X) vs 2 (Ryzen 5 3600). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7773X) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) β€” the EPYC 7773X offers 104 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7773X) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

FeatureEPYC 7773XRyzen 5 3600
Socket
SP3
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
4 TB+3100%
128 GB
RAM Channels
8+300%
2
ECC Support
Yes
No
PCIe Lanes
128+433%
24
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 3600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking β€” a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (EPYC 7773X) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: EPYC 7773X targets Server, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: EPYC 7773X rivals EPYC 9654; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

FeatureEPYC 7773XRyzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
β€”
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
Yes
Target Use
Server
Gaming/Budget Workstation
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 7773X was priced at $8800, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($8800 vs $199), Ryzen 5 3600 was $8601 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7773X delivers 10.4 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 β€” making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 158.2% better value option.

FeatureEPYC 7773XRyzen 5 3600
MSRP
$8800
$199-98%
Performance per Dollar
10.4
88.9+755%
Release Date
2022
2019

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