EPYC 7D12 vs EPYC 9124

AMD

EPYC 7D12

32 Cores64 Thrd85 WWMax: 3 GHz2020
EPYC family
·······
VS
AMD

EPYC 9124

16 Cores32 Thrd200 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2022
EPYC family
·······

EPYC 7D12 vs EPYC 9124 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 7D12 vs EPYC 9124 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 7D12 vs EPYC 9124: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 7D12

2020

Why buy it

  • Costs $83 less on MSRP ($1,000 MSRP vs $1,083 MSRP).
  • Draws 85W instead of 200W, a 115W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 9124 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (42,285 vs 43,638).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (32 MB vs 64 MB).
  • Older platform position on SP3 with DDR4, while EPYC 9124 moves to SP5 and DDR5.

EPYC 9124

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +17.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Newer platform on SP5 with DDR5 support instead of SP3 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • 8.3% HIGHER MSRP
    $1,083 MSRPvs$1,000 MSRP
  • 135.3% higher power demand at 200W vs 85W.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9124 better than EPYC 7D12?
Yes. EPYC 9124 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 17.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 3.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, EPYC 9124 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 17.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9124 is the stronger fit. You are getting 3.2% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads. It also has 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?
EPYC 9124 is still the faster CPU overall, but EPYC 7D12 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. EPYC 9124 comes in 8.3% more expensive on MSRP at $1,083 MSRP versus $1,000 MSRP, and it still gives you a 17.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. EPYC 7D12 is also 4.9% better value on MSRP (42.3 vs 40.3 PassMark/$), 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 9124 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020), a healthier platform with SP5 and DDR5 instead of SP3, 100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 32/64. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 7D12 vs EPYC 9124 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

EPYC 7D12

The EPYC 7D12 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Rome (2020) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 42,285 points. Launch price was $800.

AMD

EPYC 9124

The EPYC 9124 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 November 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm, 6 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 200 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 43,638 points. Launch price was $1,083.

Processing Power

The EPYC 7D12 packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the EPYC 9124 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the EPYC 7D12 has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the EPYC 7D12 versus 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9124 — a 20.9% clock advantage for the EPYC 9124 (base: 1.1 GHz vs 3 GHz). The EPYC 7D12 uses the Rome (2020) architecture (7 nm), while the EPYC 9124 uses Genoa (2022−2023) (5 nm, 6 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7D12 scores 42,285 against the EPYC 9124's 43,638 — a 3.1% lead for the EPYC 9124. L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the EPYC 7D12 vs 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 9124.

FeatureEPYC 7D12EPYC 9124
Cores / Threads
32 / 64+100%
16 / 32
Boost Clock
3 GHz
3.7 GHz+23%
Base Clock
1.1 GHz
3 GHz+173%
L3 Cache
32 MB (total)
64 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)
1 MB (per core)+100%
Process
7 nm
5 nm, 6 nm-29%
Architecture
Rome (2020)
Genoa (2022−2023)
PassMark
42,285
43,638+3%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,770
Geekbench 6 Multi
18,000
🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7D12 uses the SP3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the EPYC 9124 uses SP5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the EPYC 7D12 versus DDR5-4800 on the EPYC 9124 — the EPYC 9124 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9124 supports up to 6144 GB of RAM compared to 4096 GB 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (EPYC 7D12) vs 12 (EPYC 9124). Both provide 128 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7D12) and SP5 (EPYC 9124).

FeatureEPYC 7D12EPYC 9124
Socket
SP3
SP5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed
3200
DDR5-4800+50%
Max RAM Capacity
4096 GB
6144 GB+50%
RAM Channels
8
12+50%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
128
128
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (EPYC 7D12) vs AMD-V (EPYC 9124). Primary use case: EPYC 9124 targets Server. Direct competitor: EPYC 7D12 rivals Xeon Gold 6248; EPYC 9124 rivals Xeon Gold 6426Y.

FeatureEPYC 7D12EPYC 9124
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
None
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
Yes
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V
AMD-V
Target Use
Server
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 7D12 was priced at $1000, while the EPYC 9124 came in at $1083. On launch pricing ($1000 vs $1083), EPYC 7D12 was $83 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7D12 delivers 42.3 pts/$ vs 40.3 pts/$ for the EPYC 9124 — making the EPYC 7D12 the 4.8% better value option.

FeatureEPYC 7D12EPYC 9124
MSRP
$1000-8%
$1083
Performance per Dollar
42.3+5%
40.3
Release Date
2020
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.