EPYC 7F72 vs EPYC 9174F

AMD

EPYC 7F72

24 Cores48 Thrd240 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2020
VS
AMD

EPYC 9174F

16 Cores32 Thrd320 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

EPYC 7F72 vs EPYC 9174F 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 7F72 vs EPYC 9174F 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 7F72 vs EPYC 9174F: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 7F72

2020

Why buy it

  • βœ…+1.1% higher PassMark.
  • βœ…Draws 240W instead of 320W, a 80W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 9174F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (192 MB vs 256 MB).
  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 24.8 vs 269.3 PassMark/$ ($2,131 MSRP vs $194 MSRP).
  • ❌Older platform position on SP3 with DDR4, while EPYC 9174F moves to SP5 and DDR5.

EPYC 9174F

2022

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +27.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+33.3% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 192 MB).
  • βœ…Costs $1,937 less on MSRP ($194 MSRP vs $2,131 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 986.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 269.3 vs 24.8 PassMark/$ ($194 MSRP vs $2,131 MSRP).
  • βœ…Newer platform on SP5 with DDR5 support instead of SP3 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (52,249 vs 52,840).
  • ❌33.3% higher power demand at 320W vs 240W.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9174F better than EPYC 7F72?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, EPYC 9174F is ahead with a 27.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7F72 pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark. EPYC 9174F also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 192 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7F72 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
EPYC 9174F is the better buy right now. EPYC 9174F comes in $1,937 cheaper on MSRP at $194 MSRP versus $2,131 MSRP, and it still gives you a 27.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that EPYC 7F72 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.1% better PassMark. It is also 986.2% better value on MSRP (269.3 vs 24.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
EPYC 9174F 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, 33.3% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 192 MB), and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 7F72 vs EPYC 9174F Technical Specifications

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

AMD

EPYC 7F72

The EPYC 7F72 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 14 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Zen 2 (2017βˆ’2020) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 192 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 14 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 240 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 52,840 points. Launch price was $2,450.

AMD

EPYC 9174F

The EPYC 9174F is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 November 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Genoa (2022βˆ’2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 4.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm, 6 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 320 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 52,249 points. Launch price was $3,850.

⚑

Processing Power

The EPYC 7F72 packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the EPYC 9174F offers 16 cores / 32 threads β€” the EPYC 7F72 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 7F72 versus 4.4 GHz on the EPYC 9174F β€” a 17.3% clock advantage for the EPYC 9174F (base: 3.2 GHz vs 4.1 GHz). The EPYC 7F72 uses the Zen 2 (2017βˆ’2020) architecture (7 nm, 14 nm), while the EPYC 9174F uses Genoa (2022βˆ’2023) (5 nm, 6 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7F72 scores 52,840 against the EPYC 9174F's 52,249 β€” a 1.1% lead for the EPYC 7F72. L3 cache: 192 MB (total) on the EPYC 7F72 vs 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9174F.

FeatureEPYC 7F72EPYC 9174F
Cores / Threads
24 / 48+50%
16 / 32
Boost Clock
3.7 GHz
4.4 GHz+19%
Base Clock
3.2 GHz
4.1 GHz+28%
L3 Cache
192 MB (total)
256 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache
512K (per core)+51100%
1 MB (per core)
Process
7 nm, 14 nm
5 nm, 6 nm-29%
Architecture
Zen 2 (2017βˆ’2020)
Genoa (2022βˆ’2023)
PassMark
52,840+1%
52,249
🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7F72 uses the SP3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the EPYC 9174F uses SP5 (PCIe 5.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the EPYC 7F72 versus 4800 on the EPYC 9174F β€” the EPYC 9174F supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9174F supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 4096 β€” 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (EPYC 7F72) vs 12 (EPYC 9174F). Both provide 128 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7F72) and SP5 (EPYC 9174F).

FeatureEPYC 7F72EPYC 9174F
Socket
SP3
SP5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed
3200
4800+50%
Max RAM Capacity
4096
6144+50%
RAM Channels
8
12+50%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
128
128
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the EPYC 9174F supports AVX-512 instructions β€” important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Direct competitor: EPYC 7F72 rivals Xeon Platinum 8260; EPYC 9174F rivals Xeon Platinum 8468.

FeatureEPYC 7F72EPYC 9174F
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
None
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 7F72 was priced at $2131, while the EPYC 9174F came in at $194. On launch pricing ($2131 vs $194), EPYC 9174F was $1937 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7F72 delivers 24.8 pts/$ vs 269.3 pts/$ for the EPYC 9174F β€” making the EPYC 9174F the 166.3% better value option.

FeatureEPYC 7F72EPYC 9174F
MSRP
$2131
$194-91%
Performance per Dollar
24.8
269.3+986%
Release Date
2020
2022

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