EPYC 9654 vs EPYC 9654P

AMD

EPYC 9654

96 Cores192 Thrd360 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2022
EPYC family
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VS
AMD

EPYC 9654P

96 Cores192 Thrd360 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2022
EPYC family
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EPYC 9654 vs EPYC 9654P 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 9654 vs EPYC 9654P 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 9654 vs EPYC 9654P: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 9654

2022

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,250 vs 2,025).
    • Lower Geekbench multi-core (20,000 vs 23,214).
    • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.1 vs 10.9 PassMark/$ ($11,805 MSRP vs $10,625 MSRP).

    EPYC 9654P

    2022

    Why buy it

    • +62% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
    • Costs $1,180 less on MSRP ($10,625 MSRP vs $11,805 MSRP).
    • Delivers 8.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 10.9 vs 10.1 PassMark/$ ($10,625 MSRP vs $11,805 MSRP).

    Trade-offs

    • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

    Quick Answers

    So, is EPYC 9654P better than EPYC 9654?
    Yes. EPYC 9654P is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you 16.1% better Geekbench multi-core and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
    Which one is better for gaming?
    If gaming is the priority, EPYC 9654P has the edge because it leads the single-thread side of this matchup with 62% stronger Geekbench single-core performance.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9654P is the stronger fit. You are getting 16.1% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 96 cores and 192 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    EPYC 9654P is the better buy right now. EPYC 9654P comes in $1,180 cheaper on MSRP at $10,625 MSRP versus $11,805 MSRP, and it still gives you 2.5% higher PassMark. It is also 8.4% better value on MSRP (10.9 vs 10.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    EPYC 9654P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 96 cores / 192 threads instead of 96/192. That extra cache should keep paying off in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

    EPYC 9654 vs EPYC 9654P Technical Specifications

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

    AMD

    EPYC 9654

    The EPYC 9654 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 96 cores and 192 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 384 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: 119,246 points. Launch price was $11,805.

    AMD

    EPYC 9654P

    The EPYC 9654P 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 96 cores and 192 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 384 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: 116,324 points. Launch price was $10,625.

    Processing Power

    Both the EPYC 9654 and EPYC 9654P share an identical 96-core/192-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9654 versus 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9654P — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). Both are built on the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture using a 5 nm, 6 nm process. In PassMark, the EPYC 9654 scores 119,246 against the EPYC 9654P's 116,324 — a 2.5% lead for the EPYC 9654. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,250 vs 2,025, a 47.3% lead for the EPYC 9654P that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 20,000 vs 23,214 (14.9% advantage for the EPYC 9654P). Both processors carry 384 MB (total) of L3 cache.

    FeatureEPYC 9654EPYC 9654P
    Cores / Threads
    96 / 192
    96 / 192
    Boost Clock
    3.7 GHz
    3.7 GHz
    Base Clock
    2.4 GHz
    2.4 GHz
    L3 Cache
    384 MB (total)
    384 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    1 MB (per core)
    1 MB (per core)
    Process
    5 nm, 6 nm
    5 nm, 6 nm
    Architecture
    Genoa (2022−2023)
    Genoa (2022−2023)
    PassMark
    119,246+3%
    116,324
    Geekbench 6 Single
    1,250
    2,025+62%
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    20,000
    23,214+16%
    🧠

    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 9654) and SP5 (EPYC 9654P).

    FeatureEPYC 9654EPYC 9654P
    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 9654 targets Data Center, EPYC 9654P targets Data Center / Single Socket. Direct competitor: EPYC 9654 rivals Xeon 8592+; EPYC 9654P rivals Xeon 8490H.

    FeatureEPYC 9654EPYC 9654P
    Integrated GPU
    No
    No
    Virtualization
    AMD-V, SEV-SNP
    AMD-V, SEV-SNP
    Target Use
    Data Center
    Data Center / Single Socket
    💰

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the EPYC 9654 was priced at $11805, while the EPYC 9654P came in at $10625. On launch pricing ($11805 vs $10625), EPYC 9654P was $1180 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9654 delivers 10.1 pts/$ vs 10.9 pts/$ for the EPYC 9654P — making the EPYC 9654P the 8% better value option.

    FeatureEPYC 9654EPYC 9654P
    MSRP
    $11805
    $10625-10%
    Performance per Dollar
    10.1
    10.9+8%
    Release Date
    2022
    2022

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