EPYC 9654 vs EPYC 9734

AMD

EPYC 9654

96 Cores192 Thrd360 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2022
EPYC family
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VS
AMD

EPYC 9734

112 Cores224 Thrd340 WWMax: 3 GHz2023
EPYC family
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EPYC 9654 vs EPYC 9734 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 9734 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 9734: 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

  • Better for gaming: +14.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +50% larger total L3 cache (384 MB vs 256 MB).

Trade-offs

  • 23% HIGHER MSRP
    $11,805 MSRPvs$9,600 MSRP

EPYC 9734

2023

Why buy it

  • Costs $2,205 less on MSRP ($9,600 MSRP vs $11,805 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 9654 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (102,286 vs 119,246).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (256 MB vs 384 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9654 better than EPYC 9734?
Yes. EPYC 9654 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 14.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 16.6% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, EPYC 9654 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 14.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9654 is the stronger fit. You are getting 16.6% better PassMark, backed by 96 cores and 192 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (384 MB vs 256 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
EPYC 9654 is still the faster CPU overall, but EPYC 9734 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. EPYC 9654 comes in 23.0% more expensive on MSRP at $11,805 MSRP versus $9,600 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. EPYC 9734 is also 5.5% better value on MSRP (10.7 vs 10.1 PassMark/$), 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 9734 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022). That extra cache should keep paying off in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

EPYC 9654 vs EPYC 9734 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 9734

The EPYC 9734 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 13 June 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Bergamo (2023) architecture. It features 112 cores and 224 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 340 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 102,286 points. Launch price was $9,600.

Processing Power

The EPYC 9654 packs 96 cores / 192 threads, while the EPYC 9734 offers 112 cores / 224 threads — the EPYC 9734 has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9654 versus 3 GHz on the EPYC 9734 — a 20.9% clock advantage for the EPYC 9654 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The EPYC 9654 uses the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture (5 nm, 6 nm), while the EPYC 9734 uses Bergamo (2023) (5 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9654 scores 119,246 against the EPYC 9734's 102,286 — a 15.3% lead for the EPYC 9654. L3 cache: 384 MB (total) on the EPYC 9654 vs 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9734.

FeatureEPYC 9654EPYC 9734
Cores / Threads
96 / 192
112 / 224+17%
Boost Clock
3.7 GHz+23%
3 GHz
Base Clock
2.4 GHz+9%
2.2 GHz
L3 Cache
384 MB (total)+50%
256 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1 MB (per core)
1 MB (per core)
Process
5 nm, 6 nm
5 nm
Architecture
Genoa (2022−2023)
Bergamo (2023)
PassMark
119,246+17%
102,286
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 9734).

FeatureEPYC 9654EPYC 9734
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 9734 targets Data Center / High Density. Direct competitor: EPYC 9654 rivals Xeon 8592+; EPYC 9734 rivals Xeon 6780E.

FeatureEPYC 9654EPYC 9734
Integrated GPU
No
No
Virtualization
AMD-V, SEV-SNP
AMD-V, SEV-SNP
Target Use
Data Center
Data Center / High Density
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 9654 was priced at $11805, while the EPYC 9734 came in at $9600. On launch pricing ($11805 vs $9600), EPYC 9734 was $2205 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9654 delivers 10.1 pts/$ vs 10.7 pts/$ for the EPYC 9734 — making the EPYC 9734 the 5.3% better value option.

FeatureEPYC 9654EPYC 9734
MSRP
$11805
$9600-19%
Performance per Dollar
10.1
10.7+6%
Release Date
2022
2023

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