EPYC 9255 vs Ryzen 9 5900X
EPYC 9255
Ryzen 9 5900X
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar EPYC 9255
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 9 5900X
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | EPYC 9255 | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,934) | ✅ More affordable ($350) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Turin (2024) / 4 nm) | ✨ Modern (Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) / 7 nm, 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | EPYC 9255 | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+184%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,934) | ✅ More affordable ($350) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of EPYC 9255 and Ryzen 9 5900X
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 9 5900X
The Ryzen 9 5900X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 38,955 points. Launch price was $549.
Processing Power
The EPYC 9255 packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the EPYC 9255 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the EPYC 9255 versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.25 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The EPYC 9255 uses the Turin (2024) architecture (4 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9255 scores 75,809 against the Ryzen 9 5900X's 38,955 — a 64.2% lead for the EPYC 9255. L3 cache: 128 MB (total) on the EPYC 9255 vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X.
| Feature | EPYC 9255 | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 24 / 48+100% | 12 / 24 |
| Boost Clock | 4.8 GHz | 4.8 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.25 GHz | 3.7 GHz+14% |
| L3 Cache | 128 MB (total)+100% | 64 MB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core)+100% | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 4 nm-43% | 7 nm, 12 nm |
| Architecture | Turin (2024) | Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) |
| PassMark | 75,809+95% | 38,955 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 21,000 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 2,174 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 11,888 |
Memory & Platform
The EPYC 9255 uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 5900X 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 9 5900X — the EPYC 9255 supports 199.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9255 supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 128 GB — 191.8% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9255) vs 2 (Ryzen 9 5900X). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9255) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 5900X) — the EPYC 9255 offers 104 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9255) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 9 5900X).
| Feature | EPYC 9255 | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | SP5 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+25% | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 4800+119900% | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 6144 | 128 GB+2184433% |
| RAM Channels | 12+500% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 128+433% | 24 |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 9 5900X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the EPYC 9255 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9255) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5900X). Primary use case: Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: EPYC 9255 rivals Xeon Platinum 8480+; Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.
| Feature | EPYC 9255 | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | Yes | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, SEV-SNP | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | Workstation |
Value Analysis
The EPYC 9255 launched at $2495 MSRP, while the Ryzen 9 5900X debuted at $549. At current prices ($1934 vs $350), the Ryzen 9 5900X is $1584 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9255 delivers 39.2 pts/$ vs 111.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 5900X — making the Ryzen 9 5900X the 95.8% better value option.
| Feature | EPYC 9255 | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $2495 | $549-78% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $1934 | $350-82% |
| Performance per Dollar | 39.2 | 111.3+184% |
| Release Date | 2024 | 2020 |
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