EPYC 9745 vs Xeon 6781P

AMD

EPYC 9745

128 Cores256 Thrd400 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2024
EPYC family
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VS
Intel

Xeon 6781P

80 Cores160 Thrd350 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2025

EPYC 9745 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 9745 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 9745 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 9745

2024

Why buy it

  • +10.8% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (256 MB vs 336 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.8 vs 13.2 PassMark/$ ($12,141 MSRP vs $8,960 MSRP).

Xeon 6781P

2025

Why buy it

  • +31.3% larger total L3 cache (336 MB vs 256 MB).
  • Costs $3,181 less on MSRP ($8,960 MSRP vs $12,141 MSRP).
  • Delivers 22.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 13.2 vs 10.8 PassMark/$ ($8,960 MSRP vs $12,141 MSRP).
  • Draws 350W instead of 400W, a 50W reduction.
  • 6.3% more PCIe lanes (136 vs 128) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (117,946 vs 130,698).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon 6781P better than EPYC 9745?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon 6781P is ahead with a 2.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9745 pulls ahead with 10.8% better PassMark. Xeon 6781P also has the bigger cache pool with 31.3% larger total L3 cache (336 MB vs 256 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9745 is the stronger fit. You are getting 10.8% better PassMark, backed by 128 cores and 256 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 $3,181 cheaper on MSRP at $8,960 MSRP versus $12,141 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that EPYC 9745 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 10.8% better PassMark. It is also 22.3% better value on MSRP (13.2 vs 10.8 PassMark/$), 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 2024) and 31.3% larger total L3 cache (336 MB vs 256 MB). That extra cache should keep paying off in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

EPYC 9745 vs Xeon 6781P Technical Specifications

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

AMD

EPYC 9745

The EPYC 9745 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Turin (2024) architecture. It features 128 cores and 256 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 400 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 130,698 points. Launch price was $12,141.

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 9745 packs 128 cores / 256 threads, while the Xeon 6781P offers 80 cores / 160 threads — the EPYC 9745 has 48 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9745 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 9745 uses the Turin (2024) architecture (3 nm), while the Xeon 6781P uses Granite Rapids (2024−2025) (Intel 3 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9745 scores 130,698 against the Xeon 6781P's 117,946 — a 10.3% lead for the EPYC 9745. L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9745 vs 336 MB (total) on the Xeon 6781P.

FeatureEPYC 9745Xeon 6781P
Cores / Threads
128 / 256+60%
80 / 160
Boost Clock
3.7 GHz
3.8 GHz+3%
Base Clock
2.4 GHz+20%
2 GHz
L3 Cache
256 MB (total)
336 MB (total)+31%
L2 Cache
1 MB (per core)
2 MB (per core)+100%
Process
3 nm
Intel 3 nm
Architecture
Turin (2024)
Granite Rapids (2024−2025)
PassMark
130,698+11%
117,946
🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 9745 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 DDR5-6000 on the EPYC 9745 versus DDR5-6400 on the Xeon 6781P — the Xeon 6781P supports 6.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9745 supports up to 6 TB of RAM compared to 4 TB 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9745) vs 8 (Xeon 6781P). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9745) vs 136 (Xeon 6781P) — the Xeon 6781P offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureEPYC 9745Xeon 6781P
Socket
SP5
LGA4710
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-6000
DDR5-6400+7%
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 9745) vs VT-x, VT-d, VT-x EPT (Xeon 6781P). Primary use case: EPYC 9745 targets Data Center / High Density, Xeon 6781P targets Data Center / Cloud Scale. Direct competitor: EPYC 9745 rivals Xeon 6980P; Xeon 6781P rivals EPYC 9655.

FeatureEPYC 9745Xeon 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 9745 was priced at $12141, while the Xeon 6781P came in at $8960. On launch pricing ($12141 vs $8960), Xeon 6781P was $3181 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9745 delivers 10.8 pts/$ vs 13.2 pts/$ for the Xeon 6781P — making the Xeon 6781P the 20% better value option.

FeatureEPYC 9745Xeon 6781P
MSRP
$12141
$8960-26%
Performance per Dollar
10.8
13.2+22%
Release Date
2024
2025

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