EPYC 9654 vs Xeon 6960P
EPYC 9654
Xeon 6960P
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar EPYC 9654
Performance Per Dollar Xeon 6960P
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | EPYC 9654 | Xeon 6960P |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($5,345) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($9,625) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Genoa (2022−2023) / 5 nm, 6 nm) | ✨ Modern (Granite Rapids (2024−2025) / Intel 3 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | EPYC 9654 | Xeon 6960P |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+64%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($5,345) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($9,625) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of EPYC 9654 and Xeon 6960P
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.
Xeon 6960P
The Xeon 6960P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2024-09-24. It is based on the Granite Rapids (2024−2025) architecture. It features 72 cores and 144 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 432 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA7529. Thermal design power (TDP): 500 Watt. Memory support: DDR5(6400MT/s), MRDIMM(8800MT/s). Passmark benchmark score: 130,659 points. Launch price was $9,625.
Processing Power
The EPYC 9654 packs 96 cores / 192 threads, while the Xeon 6960P offers 72 cores / 144 threads — the EPYC 9654 has 24 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9654 versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon 6960P — a 5.3% clock advantage for the Xeon 6960P (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The EPYC 9654 uses the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture (5 nm, 6 nm), while the Xeon 6960P uses Granite Rapids (2024−2025) (Intel 3 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9654 scores 119,246 against the Xeon 6960P's 130,659 — a 9.1% lead for the Xeon 6960P. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,250 vs 2,100, a 50.7% lead for the Xeon 6960P that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 20,000 vs 60,000 (100% advantage for the Xeon 6960P). L3 cache: 384 MB (total) on the EPYC 9654 vs 432 MB (total) on the Xeon 6960P.
| Feature | EPYC 9654 | Xeon 6960P |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 96 / 192+33% | 72 / 144 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz | 3.9 GHz+5% |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | 2.7 GHz+13% |
| L3 Cache | 384 MB (total) | 432 MB (total)+13% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core)+100% |
| Process | 5 nm, 6 nm | Intel 3 nm-40% |
| Architecture | Genoa (2022−2023) | Granite Rapids (2024−2025) |
| PassMark | 119,246 | 130,659+10% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,250 | 2,100+68% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 20,000 | 60,000+200% |
Memory & Platform
The EPYC 9654 uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon 6960P uses LGA7529 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. The Xeon 6960P supports up to 3072 GB of RAM compared to 6 TB — 199.2% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 12-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9654) vs 96 (Xeon 6960P) — the EPYC 9654 offers 32 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9654) and Intel 600 Series (Xeon 6960P).
| Feature | EPYC 9654 | Xeon 6960P |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | SP5 | LGA7529 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+25% | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800 | DDR5-6400 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 6 TB+100% | 3072 GB |
| RAM Channels | 12 | 12 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 128+33% | 96 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: AMD-V, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9654) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon 6960P). Primary use case: EPYC 9654 targets Data Center, Xeon 6960P targets Server. Direct competitor: EPYC 9654 rivals Xeon 8592+; Xeon 6960P rivals EPYC 9654.
| Feature | EPYC 9654 | Xeon 6960P |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | — | None |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | Yes |
| Virtualization | AMD-V, SEV-SNP | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Data Center | Server |
Value Analysis
The EPYC 9654 launched at $11805 MSRP, while the Xeon 6960P debuted at $9625. At current prices ($5345 vs $9625), the EPYC 9654 is $4280 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9654 delivers 22.3 pts/$ vs 13.6 pts/$ for the Xeon 6960P — making the EPYC 9654 the 48.7% better value option.
| Feature | EPYC 9654 | Xeon 6960P |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $11805 | $9625-18% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $5345-44% | $9625 |
| Performance per Dollar | 22.3+64% | 13.6 |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2024 |
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