EPYC 9654P
Ryzen 5 5600X
EPYC 9654P vs Ryzen 5 5600X 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 9654P vs Ryzen 5 5600X 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 9654P vs Ryzen 5 5600X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict
See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.
EPYC 9654P
2022Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +11.4% 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 10.9 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($10,625 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
- ❌453.8% higher power demand at 360W vs 65W.
Ryzen 5 5600X
2020Why buy it
- ✅Costs $10,326 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $10,625 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 567.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 73.1 vs 10.9 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $10,625 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 65W instead of 360W, a 295W reduction.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 9654P across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark (21,845 vs 116,324).
- ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9654P, which brings 96 cores / 192 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
- ❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while EPYC 9654P moves to SP5 and DDR5.
Quick Answers
So, is EPYC 9654P better than Ryzen 5 5600X?
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 9654P vs Ryzen 5 5600X Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.
EPYC 9654P
The EPYC 9654P 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: 116,324 points. Launch price was $10,625.
Ryzen 5 5600X
The Ryzen 5 5600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,845 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The EPYC 9654P packs 96 cores / 192 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the EPYC 9654P has 90 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9654P versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X — a 21.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600X (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The EPYC 9654P uses the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture (5 nm, 6 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9654P scores 116,324 against the Ryzen 5 5600X's 21,845 — a 136.8% lead for the EPYC 9654P. L3 cache: 384 MB (total) on the EPYC 9654P vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X.
| Feature | EPYC 9654P | Ryzen 5 5600X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 96 / 192+1500% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz | 4.6 GHz+24% |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | 3.7 GHz+54% |
| L3 Cache | 384 MB (total)+1100% | 32 MB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 512K (per core)+51100% |
| Process | 5 nm, 6 nm-29% | 7 nm, 12 nm |
| Architecture | Genoa (2022−2023) | Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) |
| PassMark | 116,324+432% | 21,845 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,025 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 23,214 | — |
Memory & Platform
The EPYC 9654P uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the EPYC 9654P versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600X — the EPYC 9654P supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9654P supports up to 6 TB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 4700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9654P) vs 2 (Ryzen 5 5600X). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9654P) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600X) — the EPYC 9654P offers 104 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9654P) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 5 5600X).
| Feature | EPYC 9654P | Ryzen 5 5600X |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | 128+433% | 24 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: AMD-V, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9654P) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600X). Primary use case: EPYC 9654P targets Data Center / Single Socket, Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop. Direct competitor: EPYC 9654P rivals Xeon 8490H.
| Feature | EPYC 9654P | Ryzen 5 5600X |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V, SEV-SNP | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Data Center / Single Socket | Desktop |
Value Analysis
At launch, the EPYC 9654P was priced at $10625, while the Ryzen 5 5600X came in at $299. On launch pricing ($10625 vs $299), Ryzen 5 5600X was $10326 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9654P delivers 10.9 pts/$ vs 73.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600X — making the Ryzen 5 5600X the 147.9% better value option.
| Feature | EPYC 9654P | Ryzen 5 5600X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $10625 | $299-97% |
| Performance per Dollar | 10.9 | 73.1+571% |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2020 |
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 9654P and Ryzen 5 5600X
