EPYC 9654
EPYC 9684X
EPYC 9654 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 9654 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.
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 9654 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 9654
2022Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +9.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Costs $2,951 less on MSRP ($11,805 MSRP vs $14,756 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 22.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 10.1 vs 8.3 PassMark/$ ($11,805 MSRP vs $14,756 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 360W instead of 400W, a 40W reduction.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower PassMark (119,246 vs 122,017).
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (384 MB vs 1.1 GB).
EPYC 9684X
2023Why buy it
- ✅+2.3% higher PassMark.
- ✅+200% larger total L3 cache (1.1 GB vs 384 MB).
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 9654 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.3 vs 10.1 PassMark/$ ($14,756 MSRP vs $11,805 MSRP).
Quick Answers
So, is EPYC 9654 better than EPYC 9684X?
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 9654 vs EPYC 9684X Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.
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.
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
Both the EPYC 9654 and EPYC 9684X 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 9684X — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.55 GHz). The EPYC 9654 uses the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture (5 nm, 6 nm), while the EPYC 9684X uses Genoa-X (2023) (5 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9654 scores 119,246 against the EPYC 9684X's 122,017 — a 2.3% lead for the EPYC 9684X. L3 cache: 384 MB (total) on the EPYC 9654 vs 1152 MB (total) on the EPYC 9684X.
| Feature | EPYC 9654 | EPYC 9684X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 96 / 192 | 96 / 192 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz | 3.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | 2.55 GHz+6% |
| L3 Cache | 384 MB (total) | 1152 MB (total)+200% |
| 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 | 119,246 | 122,017+2% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,250 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 20,000 | — |
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 9684X).
| Feature | EPYC 9654 | EPYC 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 9654 targets Data Center, EPYC 9684X targets HPC / Cache Sensitive Workloads. Direct competitor: EPYC 9654 rivals Xeon 8592+; EPYC 9684X rivals Xeon 6979P.
| Feature | EPYC 9654 | EPYC 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 9654 was priced at $11805, while the EPYC 9684X came in at $14756. On launch pricing ($11805 vs $14756), EPYC 9654 was $2951 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9654 delivers 10.1 pts/$ vs 8.3 pts/$ for the EPYC 9684X — making the EPYC 9654 the 19.9% better value option.
| Feature | EPYC 9654 | EPYC 9684X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $11805-20% | $14756 |
| Performance per Dollar | 10.1+22% | 8.3 |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2023 |
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