EPYC 9554 vs EPYC 9684X

AMD

EPYC 9554

64 Cores128 Thrd360 WWMax: 3.75 GHz2022
EPYC family
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VS
AMD

EPYC 9684X

96 Cores192 Thrd400 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2023
EPYC family
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EPYC 9554 vs EPYC 9684X 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 9554 vs EPYC 9684X 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 9554 vs EPYC 9684X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 9554

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +10.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $5,669 less on MSRP ($9,087 MSRP vs $14,756 MSRP).
  • Delivers 38.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.5 vs 8.3 PassMark/$ ($9,087 MSRP vs $14,756 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (104,336 vs 122,017).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (256 MB vs 1.1 GB).

EPYC 9684X

2023

Why buy it

  • +16.9% higher PassMark.
  • +350% larger total L3 cache (1.1 GB vs 256 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 9554 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.3 vs 11.5 PassMark/$ ($14,756 MSRP vs $9,087 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9684X better than EPYC 9554?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, EPYC 9554 is ahead with a 10.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9684X pulls ahead with 16.9% better PassMark. EPYC 9684X also has the bigger cache pool with 350% larger total L3 cache (1.1 GB vs 256 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9684X is the stronger fit. You are getting 16.9% better PassMark, backed by 96 cores and 192 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 350% larger total L3 cache (1.1 GB vs 256 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
EPYC 9684X is still the faster CPU overall, but EPYC 9554 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. EPYC 9684X comes in 62.4% more expensive on MSRP at $14,756 MSRP versus $9,087 MSRP, and it still gives you 16.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that EPYC 9554 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 10.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. EPYC 9554 is also 38.9% better value on MSRP (11.5 vs 8.3 PassMark/$), 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 9684X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022), 350% larger total L3 cache (1.1 GB vs 256 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 96 cores / 192 threads instead of 64/128. That extra cache should keep paying off in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

EPYC 9554 vs EPYC 9684X Technical Specifications

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

AMD

EPYC 9554

The EPYC 9554 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 64 cores and 128 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.75 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): 360 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 104,336 points. Launch price was $9,087.

AMD

EPYC 9684X

The EPYC 9684X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 13 June 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Genoa-X (2023) architecture. It features 96 cores and 192 threads. Base frequency is 2.55 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 1152 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 400 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 122,017 points. Launch price was $14,756.

Processing Power

The EPYC 9554 packs 64 cores / 128 threads, while the EPYC 9684X offers 96 cores / 192 threads — the EPYC 9684X has 32 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.75 GHz on the EPYC 9554 versus 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9684X — a 1.3% clock advantage for the EPYC 9554 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.55 GHz). The EPYC 9554 uses the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture (5 nm, 6 nm), while the EPYC 9684X uses Genoa-X (2023) (5 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9554 scores 104,336 against the EPYC 9684X's 122,017 — a 15.6% lead for the EPYC 9684X. L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9554 vs 1152 MB (total) on the EPYC 9684X.

FeatureEPYC 9554EPYC 9684X
Cores / Threads
64 / 128
96 / 192+50%
Boost Clock
3.75 GHz+1%
3.7 GHz
Base Clock
3.1 GHz+22%
2.55 GHz
L3 Cache
256 MB (total)
1152 MB (total)+350%
L2 Cache
1 MB (per core)
1 MB (per core)
Process
5 nm, 6 nm
5 nm
Architecture
Genoa (2022−2023)
Genoa-X (2023)
PassMark
104,336
122,017+17%
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the SP5 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. Both support up to 6 TB of RAM. Both feature 12-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 128 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9554) and SP5 (EPYC 9684X).

FeatureEPYC 9554EPYC 9684X
Socket
SP5
SP5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800
DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity
6 TB
6 TB
RAM Channels
12
12
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
128
128
🔧

Advanced Features

Both support AMD-V, SEV-SNP virtualization. Primary use case: EPYC 9554 targets Data Center, EPYC 9684X targets HPC / Cache Sensitive Workloads. Direct competitor: EPYC 9554 rivals Xeon 8468; EPYC 9684X rivals Xeon 6979P.

FeatureEPYC 9554EPYC 9684X
Integrated GPU
No
No
Virtualization
AMD-V, SEV-SNP
AMD-V, SEV-SNP
Target Use
Data Center
HPC / Cache Sensitive Workloads
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 9554 was priced at $9087, while the EPYC 9684X came in at $14756. On launch pricing ($9087 vs $14756), EPYC 9554 was $5669 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9554 delivers 11.5 pts/$ vs 8.3 pts/$ for the EPYC 9684X — making the EPYC 9554 the 32.5% better value option.

FeatureEPYC 9554EPYC 9684X
MSRP
$9087-38%
$14756
Performance per Dollar
11.5+39%
8.3
Release Date
2022
2023

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