EPYC 9845 vs EPYC 9965

EPYC 9845 vs EPYC 9965 Performance Spectrum

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

EPYC 9965

192 / 384

160,778

+5.1%

Ryzen 7 7700X

Ryzen 9 9900X

Ryzen 9 9950X3D

Ryzen Threadripper 7960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7995WX

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 9845 vs EPYC 9965 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 9845 vs EPYC 9965: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 9845

2024

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,249 less on MSRP ($13,564 MSRP vs $14,813 MSRP).
✅Draws 390W instead of 500W, a 110W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (152,985 vs 160,778).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (320 MB vs 384 MB).

EPYC 9965

2024

Why buy it

✅+5.1% higher PassMark.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (384 MB vs 320 MB).

Trade-offs

❌
9.2% HIGHER MSRP
$14,813 MSRPvs$13,564 MSRP
❌28.2% higher power demand at 500W vs 390W.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9965 better than EPYC 9845?

Yes. EPYC 9965 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 5.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

For gaming, this matchup is basically a tie in the data we have.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9965 is the stronger fit. You are getting 5.1% better PassMark, backed by 192 cores and 384 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 9965 is still the faster CPU overall, but EPYC 9845 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. EPYC 9965 comes in 9.2% more expensive on MSRP at $14,813 MSRP versus $13,564 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. EPYC 9845 is also 3.9% better value on MSRP (11.3 vs 10.9 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

EPYC 9965 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 20% larger total L3 cache (384 MB vs 320 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 192 cores / 384 threads instead of 160/320. That extra cache should keep paying off in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

EPYC 9845 vs EPYC 9965 Technical Specifications

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

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.

EPYC 9965

The EPYC 9965 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Turin (2024) architecture. It features 192 cores and 384 threads. Base frequency is 2.25 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 384 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 500 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 160,778 points. Launch price was $14,813.

⚡

Processing Power

The EPYC 9845 packs 160 cores / 320 threads, while the EPYC 9965 offers 192 cores / 384 threads — the EPYC 9965 has 32 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9845 versus 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9965 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.25 GHz). Both are built on the Turin (2024) architecture using a 3 nm process. In PassMark, the EPYC 9845 scores 152,985 against the EPYC 9965's 160,778 — a 5% lead for the EPYC 9965. L3 cache: 320 MB (total) on the EPYC 9845 vs 384 MB (total) on the EPYC 9965.

Feature	EPYC 9845	EPYC 9965
Cores / Threads	160 / 320	192 / 384+20%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.25 GHz+7%
L3 Cache	320 MB (total)	384 MB (total)+20%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB (per core)
Process	3 nm	3 nm
Architecture	Turin (2024)	Turin (2024)
PassMark	152,985	160,778+5%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,520

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the SP5 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to DDR5-6000 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 9845) and SP5 (EPYC 9965).

Feature	EPYC 9845	EPYC 9965
Socket	SP5	SP5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6000	DDR5-6000
Max RAM Capacity	6 TB	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 9845 targets Data Center / AI Training, EPYC 9965 targets Data Center / High Density. Direct competitor: EPYC 9845 rivals Xeon 6972P; EPYC 9965 rivals Xeon 6980P.

Feature	EPYC 9845	EPYC 9965
Integrated GPU	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V, SEV-SNP	AMD-V, SEV-SNP
Target Use	Data Center / AI Training	Data Center / High Density

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 9845 was priced at $13564, while the EPYC 9965 came in at $14813. On launch pricing ($13564 vs $14813), EPYC 9845 was $1249 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9845 delivers 11.3 pts/$ vs 10.9 pts/$ for the EPYC 9965 — making the EPYC 9845 the 3.8% better value option.

Feature	EPYC 9845	EPYC 9965
MSRP	$13564-8%	$14813
Performance per Dollar	11.3+4%	10.9
Release Date	2024	2024

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