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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

EPYC 9754

2023

Why buy it

✅+155.1% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 128 MB).
✅45.5% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 88) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 9960X across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.3 vs 61.9 PassMark/$ ($11,900 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +62.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $10,401 less on MSRP ($1,499 MSRP vs $11,900 MSRP).
✅Delivers 648.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.9 vs 8.3 PassMark/$ ($1,499 MSRP vs $11,900 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (41,000 vs 104,584).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (128 MB vs 256 MB).

EPYC 9754

2023

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

2025

Why buy it

✅+155.1% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 128 MB).
✅45.5% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 88) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +62.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $10,401 less on MSRP ($1,499 MSRP vs $11,900 MSRP).
✅Delivers 648.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.9 vs 8.3 PassMark/$ ($1,499 MSRP vs $11,900 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 9960X across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.3 vs 61.9 PassMark/$ ($11,900 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (41,000 vs 104,584).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (128 MB vs 256 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper 9960X better than EPYC 9754?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is ahead with a 62.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9754 pulls ahead with 155.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. EPYC 9754 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 128 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9754 is the better fit. You are getting 155.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 128 cores and 256 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 128 MB).

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

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is the smarter buy today. Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is $10,401 cheaper on MSRP at $1,499 MSRP versus $11,900 MSRP, and it gives you a 62.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that EPYC 9754 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 155.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also 648.4% better value on MSRP (61.9 vs 8.3 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2023) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

EPYC 9754 Benchmark Check

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	EPYC 9754	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
1080p
low	163 FPS	314 FPS
medium	134 FPS	290 FPS
high	113 FPS	241 FPS
ultra	89 FPS	203 FPS
1440p
low	143 FPS	278 FPS
medium	114 FPS	231 FPS
high	90 FPS	179 FPS
ultra	72 FPS	158 FPS
4K
low	68 FPS	191 FPS
medium	58 FPS	158 FPS
high	45 FPS	121 FPS
ultra	37 FPS	107 FPS

Open EPYC 9754 Open Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	EPYC 9754	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
1080p
low	238 FPS	826 FPS
medium	211 FPS	704 FPS
high	174 FPS	548 FPS
ultra	138 FPS	474 FPS
1440p
low	195 FPS	677 FPS
medium	177 FPS	601 FPS
high	151 FPS	482 FPS
ultra	116 FPS	390 FPS
4K
low	121 FPS	378 FPS
medium	112 FPS	341 FPS
high	97 FPS	311 FPS
ultra	79 FPS	272 FPS

Open EPYC 9754 Open Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	EPYC 9754	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
1080p
low	650 FPS	893 FPS
medium	541 FPS	724 FPS
high	481 FPS	650 FPS
ultra	422 FPS	553 FPS
1440p
low	503 FPS	716 FPS
medium	418 FPS	581 FPS
high	365 FPS	509 FPS
ultra	318 FPS	428 FPS
4K
low	371 FPS	509 FPS
medium	289 FPS	420 FPS
high	246 FPS	376 FPS
ultra	199 FPS	312 FPS

Open EPYC 9754 Open Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	EPYC 9754	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
1080p
low	876 FPS	1116 FPS
medium	793 FPS	1002 FPS
high	682 FPS	879 FPS
ultra	592 FPS	792 FPS
1440p
low	695 FPS	873 FPS
medium	602 FPS	769 FPS
high	515 FPS	675 FPS
ultra	435 FPS	588 FPS
4K
low	495 FPS	637 FPS
medium	441 FPS	568 FPS
high	387 FPS	505 FPS
ultra	330 FPS	437 FPS

Open EPYC 9754 Open Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of EPYC 9754 and Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

EPYC 9754

The EPYC 9754 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 13 June 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Bergamo (2023) architecture. It features 128 cores and 256 threads. Base frequency is 2.25 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 360 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 98,450 points. Launch price was $11,900.

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

The Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 30 July 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Shimada Peak (2025) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 GHz. L3 cache: 128 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: sTR5. Thermal design power (TDP): 350 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 92,808 points. Launch price was $1,499.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 9754 packs 128 cores / 256 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the EPYC 9754 has 104 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the EPYC 9754 versus 5.3 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X — a 52.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X (base: 2.25 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). The EPYC 9754 uses the Bergamo (2023) architecture (5 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X uses Shimada Peak (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9754 scores 98,450 against the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X's 92,808 — a 5.9% lead for the EPYC 9754. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 104,584 vs 41,000 (87.4% advantage for the EPYC 9754). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,634 vs 3,200, a 64.8% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 16,825 vs 26,000 (42.8% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X). L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9754 vs 128 MB (total) on the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X.

Feature	EPYC 9754	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
Cores / Threads	128 / 256+433%	24 / 48
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	5.3 GHz+71%
Base Clock	2.25 GHz	4.2 GHz+87%
L3 Cache	256 MB (total)+100%	128 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB (per core)
Process	5 nm	4 nm-20%
Architecture	Bergamo (2023)	Shimada Peak (2025)
PassMark	98,450+6%	92,808
Cinebench R23 Multi	104,584+155%	41,000
Geekbench 6 Single	1,634	3,200+96%
Geekbench 6 Multi	16,825	26,000+55%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 9754 uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X uses sTR5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. The Ryzen Threadripper 9960X supports up to 1024 GB of RAM compared to 6 TB — 197.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9754) vs 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 9960X). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9754) vs 88 (Ryzen Threadripper 9960X) — the EPYC 9754 offers 40 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9754) and TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper 9960X).

Feature	EPYC 9754	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
Socket	SP5	sTR5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	6 TB+500%	1024 GB
RAM Channels	12+200%	4
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128+45%	88

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: AMD-V, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9754) vs true (Ryzen Threadripper 9960X). Primary use case: EPYC 9754 targets Data Center / Cloud Native, Ryzen Threadripper 9960X targets Content Creation / Rendering. Direct competitor: EPYC 9754 rivals Xeon 6780E; Ryzen Threadripper 9960X rivals Xeon w7-3555.

Feature	EPYC 9754	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
Integrated GPU	No	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	AMD-V, SEV-SNP	true
Target Use	Data Center / Cloud Native	Content Creation / Rendering

💰

Value Analysis

The EPYC 9754 launched at $11900 MSRP, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X debuted at $1499. On MSRP ($11900 vs $1499), the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is $10401 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9754 delivers 8.3 pts/$ vs 61.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X — making the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X the 152.9% better value option.