EPYC 9654
Ryzen 5 3600
EPYC 9654 vs Ryzen 5 3600 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 Ryzen 5 3600 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 Ryzen 5 3600: 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: +13.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 96 cores / 192 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 24.
- ✅Newer platform on SP5 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
- ✅433.3% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.1 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($11,805 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
- ❌453.8% higher power demand at 360W vs 65W.
- ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.
Ryzen 5 3600
2019Why buy it
- ✅Costs $11,606 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $11,805 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 779.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 10.1 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $11,805 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 65W instead of 360W, a 295W reduction.
- ✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike EPYC 9654.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 9654 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,898 vs 20,000).
- ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9654, which brings 96 cores / 192 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
- ❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while EPYC 9654 moves to SP5 and DDR5.
Quick Answers
So, is EPYC 9654 better than Ryzen 5 3600?
Which one is better for gaming?
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 Ryzen 5 3600 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.
Ryzen 5 3600
The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.
Processing Power
The EPYC 9654 packs 96 cores / 192 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the EPYC 9654 has 90 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9654 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 12.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The EPYC 9654 uses the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture (5 nm, 6 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9654 scores 119,246 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 148.3% lead for the EPYC 9654. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,250 vs 1,295, a 3.5% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 20,000 vs 1,898 (165.3% advantage for the EPYC 9654). L3 cache: 384 MB (total) on the EPYC 9654 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.
| Feature | EPYC 9654 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 96 / 192+1500% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz | 4.2 GHz+14% |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | 3.6 GHz+50% |
| L3 Cache | 384 MB (total)+1100% | 32 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 512K (per core)+51100% |
| Process | 5 nm, 6 nm-29% | 7 nm, 12 nm |
| Architecture | Genoa (2022−2023) | Matisse (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 119,246+574% | 17,685 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 9,500 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,250 | 1,295+4% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 20,000+954% | 1,898 |
Memory & Platform
The EPYC 9654 uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the EPYC 9654 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the EPYC 9654 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9654 supports up to 6 TB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 4700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9654) vs 2 (Ryzen 5 3600). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9654) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the EPYC 9654 offers 104 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9654) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).
| Feature | EPYC 9654 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | SP5 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+25% | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800+50% | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 6 TB+4700% | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 12+500% | 2 |
| ECC Support | Yes | No |
| PCIe Lanes | 128+433% | 24 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: AMD-V, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9654) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: EPYC 9654 targets Data Center, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: EPYC 9654 rivals Xeon 8592+; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.
| Feature | EPYC 9654 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V, SEV-SNP | Yes |
| Target Use | Data Center | Gaming/Budget Workstation |
Value Analysis
At launch, the EPYC 9654 was priced at $11805, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($11805 vs $199), Ryzen 5 3600 was $11606 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9654 delivers 10.1 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 159.2% better value option.
| Feature | EPYC 9654 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $11805 | $199-98% |
| Performance per Dollar | 10.1 | 88.9+780% |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2019 |
Affiliate Disclosure
ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on EPYC 9654 and Ryzen 5 3600
