EPYC 9015 vs Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

AMD

EPYC 9015

8 Cores16 Thrd125 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2024
EPYC family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

24 Cores48 Thrd250 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2018
Threadripper family
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EPYC 9015 vs Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX 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 9015 vs Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX 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 9015 vs Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 9015

2024

Why buy it

  • Draws 125W instead of 250W, a 125W reduction.
  • Newer platform on SP5 with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.
  • 100% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 64) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (15,000 vs 29,045).

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

2018

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +15.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $1,299 MSRP, while EPYC 9015 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 100% higher power demand at 250W vs 125W.
  • Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while EPYC 9015 moves to SP5 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX better than EPYC 9015?
Yes. Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 15.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 93.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 1.5% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 15.5% 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, Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is the stronger fit. You are getting 93.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is the better buy right now. Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX comes in at an unclear MSRP at $1,299 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (23.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 9015 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2018), a healthier platform with SP5 and DDR5 instead of TR4, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 9015 vs Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX Technical Specifications

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

AMD

EPYC 9015

The EPYC 9015 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Turin (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 30,505 points. Launch price was $527.

AMD

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

The Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 250 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 30,954 points. Launch price was $1,299.

Processing Power

The EPYC 9015 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the EPYC 9015 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX — a 2.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3 GHz). The EPYC 9015 uses the Turin (2024) architecture (4 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX uses Zen+ (2018−2019) (12 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9015 scores 30,505 against the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX's 30,954 — a 1.5% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 15,000 vs 29,045 (63.8% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,400 vs 1,240, a 12.1% lead for the EPYC 9015 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,000 vs 7,241 (41.2% advantage for the EPYC 9015). L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 9015 vs 64 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX.

FeatureEPYC 9015Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
24 / 48+200%
Boost Clock
4.1 GHz
4.2 GHz+2%
Base Clock
3.6 GHz+20%
3 GHz
L3 Cache
64 MB (total)
64 MB
L2 Cache
1 MB (per core)
512K (per core)+51100%
Process
4 nm-67%
12 nm
Architecture
Turin (2024)
Zen+ (2018−2019)
PassMark
30,505
30,954+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi
15,000
29,045+94%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,400+13%
1,240
Geekbench 6 Multi
11,000+52%
7,241
🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 9015 uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX uses TR4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-6000 on the EPYC 9015 versus DDR4-2933 on the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX — the EPYC 9015 supports 104.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9015 supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 2048 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9015) vs 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9015) vs 64 (Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX) — the EPYC 9015 offers 64 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 platform (EPYC 9015) and X399 (Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX).

FeatureEPYC 9015Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
Socket
SP5
TR4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-6000+105%
DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity
4096 GB+100%
2048 GB
RAM Channels
12+200%
4
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
128+100%
64
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the EPYC 9015 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9015) vs AMD-V (Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX). Primary use case: EPYC 9015 targets Next-gen Data Center / AI Workloads, Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX targets Extreme Multi-threaded Workstation. Direct competitor: EPYC 9015 rivals Xeon 6; Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX rivals Core i9-7940X.

FeatureEPYC 9015Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
No
Virtualization
AMD-V, SEV-SNP
AMD-V
Target Use
Next-gen Data Center / AI Workloads
Extreme Multi-threaded Workstation