EPYC 9174F
Ryzen 5 3600
EPYC 9174F 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 9174F 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
EPYC 9174F 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 9174F
2022Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +43.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 24.
- ✅Costs $5 less on MSRP ($194 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 203.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 269.3 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($194 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
- ✅Newer platform on SP5 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
Trade-offs
- ❌392.3% higher power demand at 320W vs 65W.
- ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.
Ryzen 5 3600
2019Why buy it
- ✅Draws 65W instead of 320W, a 255W reduction.
- ✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike EPYC 9174F.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 9174F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark (17,685 vs 52,249).
- ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9174F, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 88.9 vs 269.3 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $194 MSRP).
- ❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while EPYC 9174F moves to SP5 and DDR5.
Quick Answers
So, is EPYC 9174F better than Ryzen 5 3600?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
EPYC 9174F vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.
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 (2022−2023) 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.
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.
Processing Power
The EPYC 9174F packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the EPYC 9174F has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the EPYC 9174F versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 4.7% clock advantage for the EPYC 9174F (base: 4.1 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The EPYC 9174F uses the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture (5 nm, 6 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9174F scores 52,249 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 98.8% lead for the EPYC 9174F. L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9174F vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.
| Feature | EPYC 9174F | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 16 / 32+167% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz+5% | 4.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 4.1 GHz+14% | 3.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 256 MB (total)+700% | 32 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 512K (per core)+51100% |
| Process | 5 nm, 6 nm-29% | 7 nm, 12 nm |
| Architecture | Genoa (2022−2023) | Matisse (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 52,249+195% | 17,685 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 9,500 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,295 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,898 |
Memory & Platform
The EPYC 9174F 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 9174F versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the EPYC 9174F supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9174F supports up to 6144 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 4700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9174F) vs 2 (Ryzen 5 3600). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9174F) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the EPYC 9174F offers 104 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9174F) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).
| Feature | EPYC 9174F | 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 9174F supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (EPYC 9174F) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: EPYC 9174F rivals Xeon Platinum 8468; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.
| Feature | EPYC 9174F | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | Yes | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | Yes |
| Target Use | — | Gaming/Budget Workstation |
Value Analysis
At launch, the EPYC 9174F was priced at $194, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($194 vs $199), EPYC 9174F was $5 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9174F delivers 269.3 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the EPYC 9174F the 100.8% better value option.
| Feature | EPYC 9174F | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $194-3% | $199 |
| Performance per Dollar | 269.3+203% | 88.9 |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2019 |
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