EPYC 9655 vs EPYC 9845

EPYC 9655 vs EPYC 9845 Performance Spectrum

EPYC 9655

96 / 192

156,110

+2.0%

Ryzen 7 7700X

Ryzen 9 9850HX

Ryzen 9 9950X3D

Ryzen Threadripper 7960X

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

Ryzen Threadripper 7980X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9995WX

EPYC 9845

160 / 320

152,985

0.0%

Ryzen AI 9 HX 370

Ryzen 9 9850HX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 7960X

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

Ryzen Threadripper 7980X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9995WX

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 9655 vs EPYC 9845 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 9655 vs EPYC 9845: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

EPYC 9655

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +21.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (384 MB vs 320 MB).
✅Costs $1,712 less on MSRP ($11,852 MSRP vs $13,564 MSRP).
✅Delivers 16.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 13.2 vs 11.3 PassMark/$ ($11,852 MSRP vs $13,564 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

EPYC 9845

2024

Why buy it

✅Draws 390W instead of 400W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 9655 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (152,985 vs 156,110).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (320 MB vs 384 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.3 vs 13.2 PassMark/$ ($13,564 MSRP vs $11,852 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9655 better than EPYC 9845?

Yes. EPYC 9655 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 21.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, EPYC 9655 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 21.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9655 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2% better PassMark, backed by 96 cores and 192 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (384 MB vs 320 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

EPYC 9655 is the better buy right now. EPYC 9655 comes in $1,712 cheaper on MSRP at $11,852 MSRP versus $13,564 MSRP, and it still gives you a 21.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 16.8% better value on MSRP (13.2 vs 11.3 PassMark/$), 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 9655 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 20% larger total L3 cache (384 MB vs 320 MB), more multi-core headroom with 96 cores / 192 threads instead of 160/320, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra cache should keep paying off in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

EPYC 9655 vs EPYC 9845 Technical Specifications

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

EPYC 9655

The EPYC 9655 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Turin (2024) architecture. It features 96 cores and 192 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 384 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 400 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 156,110 points. Launch price was $11,852.

EPYC 9845

The EPYC 9845 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Turin (2024) architecture. It features 160 cores and 320 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 320 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 390 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 152,985 points. Launch price was $13,564.

⚡

Processing Power

The EPYC 9655 packs 96 cores / 192 threads, while the EPYC 9845 offers 160 cores / 320 threads — the EPYC 9845 has 64 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the EPYC 9655 versus 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9845 — a 19.5% clock advantage for the EPYC 9655 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). Both are built on the Turin (2024) architecture using a 4 nm process. In PassMark, the EPYC 9655 scores 156,110 against the EPYC 9845's 152,985 — a 2% lead for the EPYC 9655. L3 cache: 384 MB (total) on the EPYC 9655 vs 320 MB (total) on the EPYC 9845.

Feature	EPYC 9655	EPYC 9845
Cores / Threads	96 / 192	160 / 320+67%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+22%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+24%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	384 MB (total)+20%	320 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB (per core)
Process	4 nm	3 nm-25%
Architecture	Turin (2024)	Turin (2024)
PassMark	156,110+2%	152,985
Geekbench 6 Single	2,830	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	29,329	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the SP5 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to DDR5-6000 memory speed. The EPYC 9655 supports up to 9 TB of RAM compared to 6 TB — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 12-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 128 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9655) and SP5 (EPYC 9845).

Feature	EPYC 9655	EPYC 9845
Socket	SP5	SP5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6000	DDR5-6000
Max RAM Capacity	9 TB+50%	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 9655 targets Data Center, EPYC 9845 targets Data Center / AI Training. Direct competitor: EPYC 9655 rivals Xeon 6979P; EPYC 9845 rivals Xeon 6972P.

Feature	EPYC 9655	EPYC 9845
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	AMD-V, SEV-SNP	AMD-V, SEV-SNP
Target Use	Data Center	Data Center / AI Training

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 9655 was priced at $11852, while the EPYC 9845 came in at $13564. On launch pricing ($11852 vs $13564), EPYC 9655 was $1712 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9655 delivers 13.2 pts/$ vs 11.3 pts/$ for the EPYC 9845 — making the EPYC 9655 the 15.5% better value option.

Feature	EPYC 9655	EPYC 9845
MSRP	$11852-13%	$13564
Performance per Dollar	13.2+17%	11.3
Release Date	2024	2024

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