EPYC 9734 vs EPYC 9654
EPYC 9734
EPYC 9654
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 9734
Performance Per Dollar EPYC 9654
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | EPYC 9734 | EPYC 9654 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($6,598) | ✅ More affordable ($5,345) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Bergamo (2023) / 5 nm) | ✨ Modern (Genoa (2022−2023) / 5 nm, 6 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | EPYC 9734 | EPYC 9654 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+44%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($6,598) | ✅ More affordable ($5,345) |
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 9734 and EPYC 9654
EPYC 9734
The EPYC 9734 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 13 June 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Bergamo (2023) architecture. It features 112 cores and 224 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 340 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 102,286 points. Launch price was $9,600.
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.
Processing Power
The EPYC 9734 packs 112 cores / 224 threads, while the EPYC 9654 offers 96 cores / 192 threads — the EPYC 9734 has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the EPYC 9734 versus 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9654 — a 20.9% clock advantage for the EPYC 9654 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The EPYC 9734 uses the Bergamo (2023) architecture (5 nm), while the EPYC 9654 uses Genoa (2022−2023) (5 nm, 6 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9734 scores 102,286 against the EPYC 9654's 119,246 — a 15.3% lead for the EPYC 9654. L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9734 vs 384 MB (total) on the EPYC 9654.
| Feature | EPYC 9734 | EPYC 9654 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 112 / 224+17% | 96 / 192 |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz | 3.7 GHz+23% |
| Base Clock | 2.2 GHz | 2.4 GHz+9% |
| L3 Cache | 256 MB (total) | 384 MB (total)+50% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 5 nm | 5 nm, 6 nm |
| Architecture | Bergamo (2023) | Genoa (2022−2023) |
| PassMark | 102,286 | 119,246+17% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,250 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 20,000 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the SP5 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. Both support up to 6 TB of RAM. Both feature 12-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 128 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9734) and SP5 (EPYC 9654).
| Feature | EPYC 9734 | EPYC 9654 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | SP5 | SP5 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800 | DDR5-4800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 6 TB | 6 TB |
| RAM Channels | 12 | 12 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 128 | 128 |
Advanced Features
Both support AMD-V, SEV-SNP virtualization. Primary use case: EPYC 9734 targets Data Center / High Density, EPYC 9654 targets Data Center. Direct competitor: EPYC 9734 rivals Xeon 6780E; EPYC 9654 rivals Xeon 8592+.
| Feature | EPYC 9734 | EPYC 9654 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V, SEV-SNP | AMD-V, SEV-SNP |
| Target Use | Data Center / High Density | Data Center |
Value Analysis
The EPYC 9734 launched at $9600 MSRP, while the EPYC 9654 debuted at $11805. At current prices ($6598 vs $5345), the EPYC 9654 is $1253 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9734 delivers 15.5 pts/$ vs 22.3 pts/$ for the EPYC 9654 — making the EPYC 9654 the 36% better value option.
| Feature | EPYC 9734 | EPYC 9654 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $9600-19% | $11805 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $6598 | $5345-19% |
| Performance per Dollar | 15.5 | 22.3+44% |
| Release Date | 2023 | 2022 |
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