EPYC 7702 vs Ryzen 7 3700X

AMD

EPYC 7702

64 Cores128 Thrd200 WWMax: 3.35 GHz2019

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019

Popular choices:

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.

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 7702

2019

Why buy it

  • +207.9% higher PassMark.
  • +700% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 64 cores / 128 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 24.
  • 433.3% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.7 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($6,450 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • 207.7% higher power demand at 200W vs 65W.

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +25.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $6,121 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $6,450 MSRP).
  • Delivers 536.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 10.7 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $6,450 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 200W, a 135W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (22,430 vs 69,060).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (32 MB vs 256 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7702, which brings 64 cores / 128 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than EPYC 7702?
Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. EPYC 7702 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 7 3700X is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7702 is the better fit. You are getting 207.9% better PassMark, backed by 64 cores and 128 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 700% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 32 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 3700X is the smarter buy today. Ryzen 7 3700X is $6,121 cheaper on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $6,450 MSRP, and it gives you a 25.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that EPYC 7702 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 207.9% better PassMark. It is also 536.7% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 10.7 PassMark/$), 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 7 3700X is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more overall headroom and a better platform outlook.

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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetEPYC 7702Ryzen 7 3700X
1080p
low192 FPS200 FPS
medium172 FPS163 FPS
high138 FPS137 FPS
ultra110 FPS110 FPS
1440p
low157 FPS156 FPS
medium132 FPS121 FPS
high101 FPS100 FPS
ultra82 FPS80 FPS
4K
low72 FPS84 FPS
medium65 FPS71 FPS
high50 FPS56 FPS
ultra40 FPS44 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetEPYC 7702Ryzen 7 3700X
1080p
low247 FPS561 FPS
medium221 FPS525 FPS
high183 FPS428 FPS
ultra148 FPS383 FPS
1440p
low202 FPS545 FPS
medium186 FPS471 FPS
high158 FPS394 FPS
ultra124 FPS337 FPS
4K
low126 FPS350 FPS
medium118 FPS304 FPS
high103 FPS274 FPS
ultra84 FPS242 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetEPYC 7702Ryzen 7 3700X
1080p
low629 FPS561 FPS
medium536 FPS561 FPS
high486 FPS561 FPS
ultra415 FPS561 FPS
1440p
low524 FPS561 FPS
medium446 FPS561 FPS
high394 FPS538 FPS
ultra338 FPS470 FPS
4K
low389 FPS499 FPS
medium312 FPS394 FPS
high274 FPS343 FPS
ultra224 FPS275 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetEPYC 7702Ryzen 7 3700X
1080p
low904 FPS561 FPS
medium823 FPS561 FPS
high706 FPS561 FPS
ultra610 FPS561 FPS
1440p
low711 FPS561 FPS
medium620 FPS561 FPS
high530 FPS561 FPS
ultra450 FPS555 FPS
4K
low503 FPS561 FPS
medium452 FPS501 FPS
high398 FPS447 FPS
ultra343 FPS396 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of EPYC 7702 and Ryzen 7 3700X

AMD

EPYC 7702

The EPYC 7702 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture. It features 64 cores and 128 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.35 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 14 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 200 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 69,060 points. Launch price was $6,450.

AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.

Processing Power

The EPYC 7702 packs 64 cores / 128 threads, while the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the EPYC 7702 has 56 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.35 GHz on the EPYC 7702 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 27.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 3700X (base: 2 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The EPYC 7702 uses the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture (7 nm, 14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7702 scores 69,060 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 101.9% lead for the EPYC 7702. L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 7702 vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

FeatureEPYC 7702Ryzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads
64 / 128+700%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
3.35 GHz
4.4 GHz+31%
Base Clock
2 GHz
3.6 GHz+80%
L3 Cache
256 MB (total)+700%
32 MB
L2 Cache
512K (per core)
512K (per core)
Process
7 nm, 14 nm
7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture
Zen 2 (2017−2020)
Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark
69,060+208%
22,430
🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7702 uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 3200 on the EPYC 7702 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 3700X — the EPYC 7702 supports 199.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7702 supports up to 4096 of RAM compared to 128 GB 187.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (EPYC 7702) vs 2 (Ryzen 7 3700X). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7702) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) — the EPYC 7702 offers 104 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7702) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X).

FeatureEPYC 7702Ryzen 7 3700X
Socket
TR4
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
3200+79900%
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
4096
128 GB+3276700%
RAM Channels
8+300%
2
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
128+433%
24
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (EPYC 7702) / not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X). Direct competitor: EPYC 7702 rivals Xeon Platinum 8280.

FeatureEPYC 7702Ryzen 7 3700X
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
💰

Value Analysis

The EPYC 7702 launched at $6450 MSRP, while the Ryzen 7 3700X debuted at $329. On MSRP ($6450 vs $329), the Ryzen 7 3700X is $6121 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7702 delivers 10.7 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 145.7% better value option.

FeatureEPYC 7702Ryzen 7 3700X
MSRP
$6450
$329-95%
Performance per Dollar
10.7
68.2+537%
Release Date
2019
2019