EPYC 9734 vs Xeon 6781P

AMD

EPYC 9734

112 Cores224 Thrd340 WWMax: 3 GHz2023
EPYC family
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VS
Intel

Xeon 6781P

80 Cores160 Thrd350 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2025

EPYC 9734 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 9734 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 9734 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 9734

2023

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon 6781P across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Lower PassMark (102,286 vs 117,946).
    • Smaller total L3 cache (256 MB vs 336 MB).
    • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.7 vs 13.2 PassMark/$ ($9,600 MSRP vs $8,960 MSRP).

    Xeon 6781P

    2025

    Why buy it

    • Better for gaming: +5.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • +31.3% larger total L3 cache (336 MB vs 256 MB).
    • Costs $640 less on MSRP ($8,960 MSRP vs $9,600 MSRP).
    • Delivers 23.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 13.2 vs 10.7 PassMark/$ ($8,960 MSRP vs $9,600 MSRP).
    • 6.3% more PCIe lanes (136 vs 128) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

    Trade-offs

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

    Quick Answers

    So, is Xeon 6781P better than EPYC 9734?
    Yes. Xeon 6781P is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 15.3% 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, Xeon 6781P is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.5% 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, Xeon 6781P is the stronger fit. You are getting 15.3% better PassMark, backed by 80 cores and 160 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 31.3% larger total L3 cache (336 MB vs 256 MB).
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Xeon 6781P is the better buy right now. Xeon 6781P comes in $640 cheaper on MSRP at $8,960 MSRP versus $9,600 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 23.5% better value on MSRP (13.2 vs 10.7 PassMark/$), 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 2023), 31.3% larger total L3 cache (336 MB vs 256 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 80 cores / 160 threads instead of 112/224. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

    EPYC 9734 vs Xeon 6781P Technical Specifications

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

    AMD

    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.

    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 9734 packs 112 cores / 224 threads, while the Xeon 6781P offers 80 cores / 160 threads — the EPYC 9734 has 32 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the EPYC 9734 versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon 6781P — a 23.5% clock advantage for the Xeon 6781P (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The EPYC 9734 uses the Bergamo (2023) architecture (5 nm), while the Xeon 6781P uses Granite Rapids (2024−2025) (Intel 3 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9734 scores 102,286 against the Xeon 6781P's 117,946 — a 14.2% lead for the Xeon 6781P. L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9734 vs 336 MB (total) on the Xeon 6781P.

    FeatureEPYC 9734Xeon 6781P
    Cores / Threads
    112 / 224+40%
    80 / 160
    Boost Clock
    3 GHz
    3.8 GHz+27%
    Base Clock
    2.2 GHz+10%
    2 GHz
    L3 Cache
    256 MB (total)
    336 MB (total)+31%
    L2 Cache
    1 MB (per core)
    2 MB (per core)+100%
    Process
    5 nm
    Intel 3 nm-40%
    Architecture
    Bergamo (2023)
    Granite Rapids (2024−2025)
    PassMark
    102,286
    117,946+15%
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The EPYC 9734 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 9734 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 9734 supports up to 6 TB of RAM compared to 4 TB 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9734) vs 8 (Xeon 6781P). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9734) vs 136 (Xeon 6781P) — the Xeon 6781P offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

    FeatureEPYC 9734Xeon 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 9734) vs VT-x, VT-d, VT-x EPT (Xeon 6781P). Primary use case: EPYC 9734 targets Data Center / High Density, Xeon 6781P targets Data Center / Cloud Scale. Direct competitor: EPYC 9734 rivals Xeon 6780E; Xeon 6781P rivals EPYC 9655.

    FeatureEPYC 9734Xeon 6781P
    Integrated GPU
    No
    No
    Virtualization
    AMD-V, SEV-SNP
    VT-x, VT-d, VT-x EPT
    Target Use
    Data Center / High Density
    Data Center / Cloud Scale
    💰

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the EPYC 9734 was priced at $9600, while the Xeon 6781P came in at $8960. On launch pricing ($9600 vs $8960), Xeon 6781P was $640 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9734 delivers 10.7 pts/$ vs 13.2 pts/$ for the Xeon 6781P — making the Xeon 6781P the 21.1% better value option.

    FeatureEPYC 9734Xeon 6781P
    MSRP
    $9600
    $8960-7%
    Performance per Dollar
    10.7
    13.2+23%
    Release Date
    2023
    2025

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