EPYC 9654P vs Xeon 6781P

AMD

EPYC 9654P

96 Cores192 Thrd360 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2022
EPYC family
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VS
Intel

Xeon 6781P

80 Cores160 Thrd350 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2025

EPYC 9654P vs Xeon 6781P 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 Xeon 6781P 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 9654P vs Xeon 6781P: 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

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +8.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (116,324 vs 117,946).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.9 vs 13.2 PassMark/$ ($10,625 MSRP vs $8,960 MSRP).

Xeon 6781P

2025

Why buy it

  • +1.4% higher PassMark.
  • Costs $1,665 less on MSRP ($8,960 MSRP vs $10,625 MSRP).
  • Delivers 20.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 13.2 vs 10.9 PassMark/$ ($8,960 MSRP vs $10,625 MSRP).
  • Draws 350W instead of 360W, a 10W reduction.
  • 6.3% more PCIe lanes (136 vs 128) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 9654P across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon 6781P better than EPYC 9654P?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, EPYC 9654P is ahead with a 8.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon 6781P pulls ahead with 1.4% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon 6781P is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 80 cores and 160 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon 6781P is the better buy right now. Xeon 6781P comes in $1,665 cheaper on MSRP at $8,960 MSRP versus $10,625 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that EPYC 9654P is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 8.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 20.2% better value on MSRP (13.2 vs 10.9 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon 6781P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 80 cores / 160 threads instead of 96/192. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 9654P vs Xeon 6781P Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

AMD

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.

Intel

Xeon 6781P

The Xeon 6781P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Granite Rapids (2024−2025) architecture. It features 80 cores and 160 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 336 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4710. Thermal design power (TDP): 350 Watt. Memory support: DDR5(6400MT/s), MRDIMM(8800MT/s). Passmark benchmark score: 117,946 points. Launch price was $8,960.

Processing Power

The EPYC 9654P packs 96 cores / 192 threads, while the Xeon 6781P offers 80 cores / 160 threads — the EPYC 9654P has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9654P versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon 6781P — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Xeon 6781P (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2 GHz). The EPYC 9654P uses the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture (5 nm, 6 nm), while the Xeon 6781P uses Granite Rapids (2024−2025) (Intel 3 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9654P scores 116,324 against the Xeon 6781P's 117,946 — a 1.4% lead for the Xeon 6781P. L3 cache: 384 MB (total) on the EPYC 9654P vs 336 MB (total) on the Xeon 6781P.

FeatureEPYC 9654PXeon 6781P
Cores / Threads
96 / 192+20%
80 / 160
Boost Clock
3.7 GHz
3.8 GHz+3%
Base Clock
2.4 GHz+20%
2 GHz
L3 Cache
384 MB (total)+14%
336 MB (total)
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
116,324
117,946+1%
Geekbench 6 Single
2,025
Geekbench 6 Multi
23,214
🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 9654P uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon 6781P uses LGA4710 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the EPYC 9654P versus DDR5-6400 on the Xeon 6781P — the Xeon 6781P supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9654P supports up to 6 TB of RAM compared to 4 TB 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9654P) vs 8 (Xeon 6781P). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9654P) vs 136 (Xeon 6781P) — the Xeon 6781P offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureEPYC 9654PXeon 6781P
Socket
SP5
LGA4710
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800
DDR5-6400+33%
Max RAM Capacity
6 TB+50%
4 TB
RAM Channels
12+50%
8
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
128
136+6%
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: AMD-V, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9654P) vs VT-x, VT-d, VT-x EPT (Xeon 6781P). Primary use case: EPYC 9654P targets Data Center / Single Socket, Xeon 6781P targets Data Center / Cloud Scale. Direct competitor: EPYC 9654P rivals Xeon 8490H; Xeon 6781P rivals EPYC 9655.

FeatureEPYC 9654PXeon 6781P
Integrated GPU
No
No
Virtualization
AMD-V, SEV-SNP
VT-x, VT-d, VT-x EPT
Target Use
Data Center / Single Socket
Data Center / Cloud Scale
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 9654P was priced at $10625, while the Xeon 6781P came in at $8960. On launch pricing ($10625 vs $8960), Xeon 6781P was $1665 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9654P delivers 10.9 pts/$ vs 13.2 pts/$ for the Xeon 6781P — making the Xeon 6781P the 18.4% better value option.

FeatureEPYC 9654PXeon 6781P
MSRP
$10625
$8960-16%
Performance per Dollar
10.9
13.2+21%
Release Date
2022
2025

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