EPYC 9654 vs EPYC 9745

AMD

EPYC 9654

96 Cores192 Thrd360 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2022
EPYC family
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VS
AMD

EPYC 9745

128 Cores256 Thrd400 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2024
EPYC family
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EPYC 9654 vs EPYC 9745 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 9745 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 9745: 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: +11.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +50% larger total L3 cache (384 MB vs 256 MB).
  • Costs $336 less on MSRP ($11,805 MSRP vs $12,141 MSRP).
  • Draws 360W instead of 400W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (119,246 vs 130,698).

EPYC 9745

2024

Why buy it

  • +9.6% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 9654 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (256 MB vs 384 MB).
  • 2.8% HIGHER MSRP
    $12,141 MSRPvs$11,805 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9745 better than EPYC 9654?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, EPYC 9654 is ahead with a 11.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9745 pulls ahead with 9.6% better PassMark. EPYC 9654 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (384 MB vs 256 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9745 is the stronger fit. You are getting 9.6% better PassMark, backed by 128 cores and 256 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
EPYC 9745 is the better buy right now. EPYC 9745 comes in 2.8% more expensive on MSRP at $12,141 MSRP versus $11,805 MSRP, and it still gives you 9.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that EPYC 9654 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 11.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 6.6% better value on MSRP (10.8 vs 10.1 PassMark/$), 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 9745 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 128 cores / 256 threads instead of 96/192. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 9654 vs EPYC 9745 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 9745

The EPYC 9745 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Turin (2024) architecture. It features 128 cores and 256 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 400 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 130,698 points. Launch price was $12,141.

Processing Power

The EPYC 9654 packs 96 cores / 192 threads, while the EPYC 9745 offers 128 cores / 256 threads — the EPYC 9745 has 32 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9654 versus 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9745 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The EPYC 9654 uses the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture (5 nm, 6 nm), while the EPYC 9745 uses Turin (2024) (3 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9654 scores 119,246 against the EPYC 9745's 130,698 — a 9.2% lead for the EPYC 9745. L3 cache: 384 MB (total) on the EPYC 9654 vs 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9745.

FeatureEPYC 9654EPYC 9745
Cores / Threads
96 / 192
128 / 256+33%
Boost Clock
3.7 GHz
3.7 GHz
Base Clock
2.4 GHz
2.4 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
3 nm-40%
Architecture
Genoa (2022−2023)
Turin (2024)
PassMark
119,246
130,698+10%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,250
Geekbench 6 Multi
20,000
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the SP5 socket with PCIe 5.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the EPYC 9654 versus DDR5-6000 on the EPYC 9745 — the EPYC 9745 supports 25% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. 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 9745).

FeatureEPYC 9654EPYC 9745
Socket
SP5
SP5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800
DDR5-6000+25%
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 9745 targets Data Center / High Density. Direct competitor: EPYC 9654 rivals Xeon 8592+; EPYC 9745 rivals Xeon 6980P.

FeatureEPYC 9654EPYC 9745
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 9745 came in at $12141. On launch pricing ($11805 vs $12141), EPYC 9654 was $336 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9654 delivers 10.1 pts/$ vs 10.8 pts/$ for the EPYC 9745 — making the EPYC 9745 the 6.4% better value option.

FeatureEPYC 9654EPYC 9745
MSRP
$11805-3%
$12141
Performance per Dollar
10.1
10.8+7%
Release Date
2022
2024

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