Ryzen Threadripper 9970X vs EPYC 9654
Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
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 Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
Performance Per Dollar EPYC 9654
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen Threadripper 9970X | EPYC 9654 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($2,442) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($5,345) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Shimada Peak (2025) / 4 nm) | ✨ Modern (Genoa (2022−2023) / 5 nm, 6 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen Threadripper 9970X | EPYC 9654 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+99%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($2,442) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($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 Ryzen Threadripper 9970X and EPYC 9654
Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
The Ryzen Threadripper 9970X 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 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 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: 108,377 points. Launch price was $2,499.
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 Ryzen Threadripper 9970X packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the EPYC 9654 offers 96 cores / 192 threads — the EPYC 9654 has 64 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X versus 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9654 — a 37.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X (base: 4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper 9970X uses the Shimada Peak (2025) architecture (4 nm), while the EPYC 9654 uses Genoa (2022−2023) (5 nm, 6 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X scores 108,377 against the EPYC 9654's 119,246 — a 9.6% lead for the EPYC 9654. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 3,220 vs 1,250, a 88.1% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 29,244 vs 20,000 (37.5% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X). L3 cache: 128 MB (total) on the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X vs 384 MB (total) on the EPYC 9654.
| Feature | Ryzen Threadripper 9970X | EPYC 9654 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 32 / 64 | 96 / 192+200% |
| Boost Clock | 5.4 GHz+46% | 3.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 4 GHz+67% | 2.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 128 MB (total) | 384 MB (total)+200% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 4 nm-20% | 5 nm, 6 nm |
| Architecture | Shimada Peak (2025) | Genoa (2022−2023) |
| PassMark | 108,377 | 119,246+10% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 76,136 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 3,220+158% | 1,250 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 29,244+46% | 20,000 |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen Threadripper 9970X uses the sTR5 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the EPYC 9654 uses SP5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-6400 memory speed. The EPYC 9654 supports up to 6 TB of RAM compared to 1 TB — 142.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 9970X) vs 12 (EPYC 9654). PCIe lanes: 92 (Ryzen Threadripper 9970X) vs 128 (EPYC 9654) — the EPYC 9654 offers 36 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper 9970X) and SP5 (EPYC 9654).
| Feature | Ryzen Threadripper 9970X | EPYC 9654 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | sTR5 | SP5 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0+25% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-6400 | DDR5-4800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 1 TB | 6 TB+500% |
| RAM Channels | 4 | 12+200% |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 92 | 128+39% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: AMD-V, SVM (Ryzen Threadripper 9970X) vs AMD-V, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9654). Primary use case: Ryzen Threadripper 9970X targets HEDT / Workstation, EPYC 9654 targets Data Center. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper 9970X rivals Xeon w7-3465X; EPYC 9654 rivals Xeon 8592+.
| Feature | Ryzen Threadripper 9970X | EPYC 9654 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | Yes | — |
| Virtualization | AMD-V, SVM | AMD-V, SEV-SNP |
| Target Use | HEDT / Workstation | Data Center |
Value Analysis
The Ryzen Threadripper 9970X launched at $2499 MSRP, while the EPYC 9654 debuted at $11805. At current prices ($2442 vs $5345), the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is $2903 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X delivers 44.4 pts/$ vs 22.3 pts/$ for the EPYC 9654 — making the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X the 66.2% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen Threadripper 9970X | EPYC 9654 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $2499-79% | $11805 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $2442-54% | $5345 |
| Performance per Dollar | 44.4+99% | 22.3 |
| Release Date | 2025 | 2022 |
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