EPYC 9684X vs EPYC 9745

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 9684X

2023

Why buy it

✅+350% larger total L3 cache (1.1 GB vs 256 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (122,017 vs 130,698).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.3 vs 10.8 PassMark/$ ($14,756 MSRP vs $12,141 MSRP).

EPYC 9745

2024

Why buy it

✅+7.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $2,615 less on MSRP ($12,141 MSRP vs $14,756 MSRP).
✅Delivers 30.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 10.8 vs 8.3 PassMark/$ ($12,141 MSRP vs $14,756 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (256 MB vs 1.1 GB).

EPYC 9684X

2023

EPYC 9745

2024

Why buy it

✅+350% larger total L3 cache (1.1 GB vs 256 MB).

Why buy it

✅+7.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $2,615 less on MSRP ($12,141 MSRP vs $14,756 MSRP).
✅Delivers 30.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 10.8 vs 8.3 PassMark/$ ($12,141 MSRP vs $14,756 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (122,017 vs 130,698).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.3 vs 10.8 PassMark/$ ($14,756 MSRP vs $12,141 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (256 MB vs 1.1 GB).

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9745 better than EPYC 9684X?

Yes. EPYC 9745 is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 7.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

For gaming, the two CPUs are effectively a wash in the available data.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9745 is the better fit. You are getting 7.1% better PassMark, backed by 128 cores and 256 threads.

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

EPYC 9745 is the smarter buy today. EPYC 9745 is $2,615 cheaper on MSRP at $12,141 MSRP versus $14,756 MSRP, and it gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 30.2% better value on MSRP (10.8 vs 8.3 PassMark/$), 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?

EPYC 9745 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2023) and more multi-core headroom with 128 cores / 256 threads instead of 96/192. 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 9684X Benchmark Check

EPYC 9745 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	EPYC 9684X	EPYC 9745
1080p
low	169 FPS	192 FPS
medium	140 FPS	156 FPS
high	120 FPS	126 FPS
ultra	94 FPS	98 FPS
1440p
low	147 FPS	158 FPS
medium	119 FPS	124 FPS
high	95 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	76 FPS	77 FPS
4K
low	69 FPS	72 FPS
medium	59 FPS	60 FPS
high	46 FPS	47 FPS
ultra	38 FPS	39 FPS

Open EPYC 9684X Open EPYC 9745

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	EPYC 9684X	EPYC 9745
1080p
low	506 FPS	525 FPS
medium	442 FPS	450 FPS
high	353 FPS	358 FPS
ultra	287 FPS	291 FPS
1440p
low	416 FPS	431 FPS
medium	372 FPS	379 FPS
high	306 FPS	310 FPS
ultra	242 FPS	245 FPS
4K
low	256 FPS	267 FPS
medium	233 FPS	239 FPS
high	204 FPS	208 FPS
ultra	170 FPS	172 FPS

Open EPYC 9684X Open EPYC 9745

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	EPYC 9684X	EPYC 9745
1080p
low	668 FPS	743 FPS
medium	558 FPS	610 FPS
high	519 FPS	556 FPS
ultra	452 FPS	481 FPS
1440p
low	509 FPS	594 FPS
medium	423 FPS	494 FPS
high	388 FPS	450 FPS
ultra	335 FPS	390 FPS
4K
low	374 FPS	430 FPS
medium	292 FPS	335 FPS
high	261 FPS	298 FPS
ultra	209 FPS	240 FPS

Open EPYC 9684X Open EPYC 9745

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	EPYC 9684X	EPYC 9745
1080p
low	902 FPS	974 FPS
medium	822 FPS	884 FPS
high	708 FPS	761 FPS
ultra	623 FPS	658 FPS
1440p
low	721 FPS	750 FPS
medium	628 FPS	656 FPS
high	538 FPS	561 FPS
ultra	459 FPS	482 FPS
4K
low	517 FPS	538 FPS
medium	462 FPS	481 FPS
high	405 FPS	422 FPS
ultra	348 FPS	365 FPS

Open EPYC 9684X Open EPYC 9745

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of EPYC 9684X and EPYC 9745

EPYC 9684X

The EPYC 9684X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 13 June 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Genoa-X (2023) architecture. It features 96 cores and 192 threads. Base frequency is 2.55 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 1152 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 400 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 122,017 points. Launch price was $14,756.

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.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 9684X packs 96 cores / 192 threads, while the EPYC 9745 offers 128 cores / 256 threads — the EPYC 9745 has 32 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9684X versus 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9745 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.55 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The EPYC 9684X uses the Genoa-X (2023) architecture (5 nm), while the EPYC 9745 uses Turin (2024) (3 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9684X scores 122,017 against the EPYC 9745's 130,698 — a 6.9% lead for the EPYC 9745. L3 cache: 1152 MB (total) on the EPYC 9684X vs 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9745.

Feature	EPYC 9684X	EPYC 9745
Cores / Threads	96 / 192	128 / 256+33%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.55 GHz+6%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	1152 MB (total)+350%	256 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB (per core)
Process	5 nm	3 nm-40%
Architecture	Genoa-X (2023)	Turin (2024)
PassMark	122,017	130,698+7%

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the SP5 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800 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 9684X) and SP5 (EPYC 9745).

Feature	EPYC 9684X	EPYC 9745
Socket	SP5	SP5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-6000
Max RAM Capacity	6 TB	6 TB
RAM Channels	12	12
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128	128

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Advanced Features

Both support AMD-V, SEV-SNP virtualization. Primary use case: EPYC 9684X targets HPC / Cache Sensitive Workloads, EPYC 9745 targets Data Center / High Density. Direct competitor: EPYC 9684X rivals Xeon 6979P; EPYC 9745 rivals Xeon 6980P.

Feature	EPYC 9684X	EPYC 9745
Integrated GPU	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V, SEV-SNP	AMD-V, SEV-SNP
Target Use	HPC / Cache Sensitive Workloads	Data Center / High Density

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Value Analysis

The EPYC 9684X launched at $14756 MSRP, while the EPYC 9745 debuted at $12141. On MSRP ($14756 vs $12141), the EPYC 9745 is $2615 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9684X delivers 8.3 pts/$ vs 10.8 pts/$ for the EPYC 9745 — making the EPYC 9745 the 26.2% better value option.