EPYC 9255
Ryzen 7 3700X
EPYC 9255 vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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 9255 vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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 9255 vs Ryzen 7 3700X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict
See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.
EPYC 9255
2024Why buy it
- ✅Massive L3 cache advantage with 128 MB vs 32 MB, which is a real win in CPU-limited gaming.
- ✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 24 cores / 48 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 30.4 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($2,495 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
- ❌207.7% higher power demand at 200W vs 65W.
Ryzen 7 3700X
2019Why buy it
- ✅Costs $2,166 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $2,495 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 124.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 30.4 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $2,495 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 65W instead of 200W, a 135W reduction.
Trade-offs
- ❌No 3D V-Cache or similar L3 advantage, which matters in CPU-limited gaming (32 MB vs 128 MB).
- ❌Lower PassMark (22,430 vs 75,809).
- ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9255, which brings 24 cores / 48 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
- ❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while EPYC 9255 moves to SP5 and DDR5.
Quick Answers
So, is EPYC 9255 better than Ryzen 7 3700X?
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 9255 vs Ryzen 7 3700X Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.
EPYC 9255
The EPYC 9255 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Turin (2024) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 3.25 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 128 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 200 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 75,809 points. Launch price was $2,495.
Ryzen 7 3700X
The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. 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: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.
Processing Power
The EPYC 9255 packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the EPYC 9255 has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the EPYC 9255 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 8.7% clock advantage for the EPYC 9255 (base: 3.25 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The EPYC 9255 uses the Turin (2024) architecture (4 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9255 scores 75,809 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 108.7% lead for the EPYC 9255. L3 cache: 128 MB (total) on the EPYC 9255 vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.
| Feature | EPYC 9255 | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 24 / 48+200% | 8 / 16 |
| Boost Clock | 4.8 GHz+9% | 4.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.25 GHz | 3.6 GHz+11% |
| L3 Cache | 128 MB (total)+300% | 32 MB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 512K (per core)+51100% |
| Process | 4 nm-43% | 7 nm, 12 nm |
| Architecture | Turin (2024) | Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 75,809+238% | 22,430 |
Memory & Platform
The EPYC 9255 uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the EPYC 9255 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 3700X — the EPYC 9255 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9255 supports up to 6144 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 4700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9255) vs 2 (Ryzen 7 3700X). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9255) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) — the EPYC 9255 offers 104 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9255) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X).
| Feature | EPYC 9255 | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | 128+433% | 24 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9255) / not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X). Direct competitor: EPYC 9255 rivals Xeon Platinum 8480+.
| Feature | EPYC 9255 | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | Yes | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, SEV-SNP | — |
Value Analysis
At launch, the EPYC 9255 was priced at $2495, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($2495 vs $329), Ryzen 7 3700X was $2166 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9255 delivers 30.4 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 76.7% better value option.
| Feature | EPYC 9255 | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $2495 | $329-87% |
| Performance per Dollar | 30.4 | 68.2+124% |
| Release Date | 2024 | 2019 |
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