EPYC 9115 vs Ryzen 5 3600

CPU

GPU

EPYC 9115

16 Cores32 Thrd125 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2024

EPYC family

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Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

Ryzen family

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EPYC 9115 vs Ryzen 5 3600 Performance Spectrum

EPYC 9115

16 / 32

48,343

+173.4%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

Ryzen 5 3600

6 / 12

17,685

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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 9115 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 9115 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 9115

2024

Why buy it

✅+173.4% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 24.
✅Newer platform on SP5 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅433.3% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 66.6 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($726 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Costs $527 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $726 MSRP).
✅Delivers 33.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 66.6 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $726 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike EPYC 9115.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (17,685 vs 48,343).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (32 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9115, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while EPYC 9115 moves to SP5 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9115 better than Ryzen 5 3600?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 9115 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 streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9115 is the stronger fit. You are getting 173.4% 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 9115 is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 3600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. EPYC 9115 comes in 264.8% more expensive on MSRP at $726 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you 173.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Ryzen 5 3600 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 3600 is also 33.5% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 66.6 PassMark/$), 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 9115 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2019), a healthier platform with SP5 and DDR5 instead of AM4, 100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB), more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 6/12, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 9115 vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

EPYC 9115

The EPYC 9115 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Turin (2024) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 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: 48,343 points. Launch price was $726.

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 (2019−2020) 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.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 9115 packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the EPYC 9115 has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the EPYC 9115 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 2.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The EPYC 9115 uses the Turin (2024) architecture (4 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9115 scores 48,343 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 92.9% lead for the EPYC 9115. L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 9115 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	EPYC 9115	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	16 / 32+167%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz	4.2 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.6 GHz+38%
L3 Cache	64 MB (total)+100%	32 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+51100%
Process	4 nm-43%	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Turin (2024)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	48,343+173%	17,685
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,898

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Memory & Platform

The EPYC 9115 uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the EPYC 9115 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the EPYC 9115 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9115 supports up to 6144 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 4700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9115) vs 2 (Ryzen 5 3600). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9115) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the EPYC 9115 offers 104 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9115) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

Feature	EPYC 9115	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	SP5	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	4800+50%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	6144 GB+4700%	128 GB
RAM Channels	12+500%	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	128+433%	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 3600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the EPYC 9115 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (EPYC 9115) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: EPYC 9115 rivals Xeon Platinum 8468X; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	EPYC 9115	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V	Yes
Target Use	—	Gaming/Budget Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 9115 was priced at $726, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($726 vs $199), Ryzen 5 3600 was $527 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9115 delivers 66.6 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 28.7% better value option.

Feature	EPYC 9115	Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP	$726	$199-73%
Performance per Dollar	66.6	88.9+33%
Release Date	2024	2019

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