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 9354

2022

Why buy it

✅+5.3% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 128 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 32 cores / 64 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 9 9950X3D across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.6 vs 100.4 PassMark/$ ($3,420 MSRP vs $699 MSRP).
❌64.7% higher power demand at 280W vs 170W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 9 9950X3D can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 9 9950X3D

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +28.3% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $2,721 less on MSRP ($699 MSRP vs $3,420 MSRP).
✅Delivers 364.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 100.4 vs 21.6 PassMark/$ ($699 MSRP vs $3,420 MSRP).
✅Draws 170W instead of 280W, a 110W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon Graphics (2 Cores), while EPYC 9354 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (70,177 vs 73,892).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (128 MB vs 256 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9354, which brings 32 cores / 64 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

EPYC 9354

2022

Ryzen 9 9950X3D

2025

Why buy it

✅+5.3% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 128 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 32 cores / 64 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 24.
✅433.3% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +28.3% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $2,721 less on MSRP ($699 MSRP vs $3,420 MSRP).
✅Delivers 364.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 100.4 vs 21.6 PassMark/$ ($699 MSRP vs $3,420 MSRP).
✅Draws 170W instead of 280W, a 110W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon Graphics (2 Cores), while EPYC 9354 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 9950X3D across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.6 vs 100.4 PassMark/$ ($3,420 MSRP vs $699 MSRP).
❌64.7% higher power demand at 280W vs 170W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 9 9950X3D can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (70,177 vs 73,892).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (128 MB vs 256 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9354, which brings 32 cores / 64 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 9950X3D better than EPYC 9354?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. EPYC 9354 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 9 9950X3D 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 9354 is the better fit. You are getting 5.3% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 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 9 9950X3D is the smarter buy today. Ryzen 9 9950X3D is $2,721 cheaper on MSRP at $699 MSRP versus $3,420 MSRP, and it gives you a 28.3% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that EPYC 9354 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 5.3% better PassMark. It is also 364.7% better value on MSRP (100.4 vs 21.6 PassMark/$), 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 9 9950X3D is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022). 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 9354 Benchmark Check

Ryzen 9 9950X3D Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	EPYC 9354	Ryzen 9 9950X3D
1080p
low	176 FPS	300 FPS
medium	145 FPS	274 FPS
high	125 FPS	227 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	191 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	276 FPS
medium	123 FPS	228 FPS
high	99 FPS	177 FPS
ultra	77 FPS	156 FPS
4K
low	71 FPS	190 FPS
medium	60 FPS	156 FPS
high	47 FPS	120 FPS
ultra	39 FPS	106 FPS

Open EPYC 9354 Open Ryzen 9 9950X3D

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	EPYC 9354	Ryzen 9 9950X3D
1080p
low	534 FPS	722 FPS
medium	466 FPS	615 FPS
high	374 FPS	457 FPS
ultra	304 FPS	385 FPS
1440p
low	439 FPS	591 FPS
medium	392 FPS	524 FPS
high	324 FPS	405 FPS
ultra	255 FPS	319 FPS
4K
low	270 FPS	332 FPS
medium	246 FPS	299 FPS
high	216 FPS	262 FPS
ultra	179 FPS	224 FPS

Open EPYC 9354 Open Ryzen 9 9950X3D

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	EPYC 9354	Ryzen 9 9950X3D
1080p
low	673 FPS	893 FPS
medium	562 FPS	725 FPS
high	523 FPS	652 FPS
ultra	455 FPS	560 FPS
1440p
low	511 FPS	720 FPS
medium	426 FPS	585 FPS
high	390 FPS	514 FPS
ultra	337 FPS	437 FPS
4K
low	377 FPS	516 FPS
medium	295 FPS	431 FPS
high	263 FPS	387 FPS
ultra	211 FPS	322 FPS

Open EPYC 9354 Open Ryzen 9 9950X3D

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	EPYC 9354	Ryzen 9 9950X3D
1080p
low	937 FPS	1116 FPS
medium	856 FPS	1001 FPS
high	735 FPS	878 FPS
ultra	648 FPS	792 FPS
1440p
low	751 FPS	872 FPS
medium	658 FPS	766 FPS
high	561 FPS	673 FPS
ultra	480 FPS	584 FPS
4K
low	539 FPS	637 FPS
medium	484 FPS	566 FPS
high	423 FPS	503 FPS
ultra	366 FPS	435 FPS

Open EPYC 9354 Open Ryzen 9 9950X3D

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of EPYC 9354 and Ryzen 9 9950X3D

EPYC 9354

The EPYC 9354 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 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 3.25 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm, 6 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 280 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 73,892 points. Launch price was $3,420.

Ryzen 9 9950X3D

The Ryzen 9 9950X3D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Granite Ridge (2024−2025) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 4.3 GHz, with boost up to 5.7 GHz. L3 cache: 128 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 170 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 70,177 points. Launch price was $699.

⚡

Processing Power

The EPYC 9354 packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Ryzen 9 9950X3D offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the EPYC 9354 has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the EPYC 9354 versus 5.7 GHz on the Ryzen 9 9950X3D — a 40% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 9950X3D (base: 3.25 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The EPYC 9354 uses the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture (5 nm, 6 nm), while the Ryzen 9 9950X3D uses Granite Ridge (2024−2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9354 scores 73,892 against the Ryzen 9 9950X3D's 70,177 — a 5.2% lead for the EPYC 9354. L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9354 vs 128 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 9950X3D.

Feature	EPYC 9354	Ryzen 9 9950X3D
Cores / Threads	32 / 64+100%	16 / 32
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	5.7 GHz+50%
Base Clock	3.25 GHz	4.3 GHz+32%
L3 Cache	256 MB (total)+100%	128 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB (per core)
Process	5 nm, 6 nm	4 nm-20%
Architecture	Genoa (2022−2023)	Granite Ridge (2024−2025)
PassMark	73,892+5%	70,177
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	44,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	3,398
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	22,206

🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 9354 uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 9950X3D uses AM5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the EPYC 9354 versus DDR5-5600 on the Ryzen 9 9950X3D — the EPYC 9354 supports 199.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9354 supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 192 GB — 187.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9354) vs 2 (Ryzen 9 9950X3D). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9354) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 9950X3D) — the EPYC 9354 offers 104 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9354) and X670E,X670,B650E,B650 (Ryzen 9 9950X3D).

Feature	EPYC 9354	Ryzen 9 9950X3D
Socket	SP5	AM5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	4800+95900%	DDR5-5600
Max RAM Capacity	6144	192 GB+3276700%
RAM Channels	12+500%	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128+433%	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 9 9950X3D has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9354) vs true (Ryzen 9 9950X3D). The Ryzen 9 9950X3D includes integrated graphics (Radeon Graphics (2 Cores)), while the EPYC 9354 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: EPYC 9354 rivals Xeon Platinum 8468; Ryzen 9 9950X3D rivals Core Ultra 9 285K.

Feature	EPYC 9354	Ryzen 9 9950X3D
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	None	Radeon Graphics (2 Cores)
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, SEV-SNP	true

💰

Value Analysis

The EPYC 9354 launched at $3420 MSRP, while the Ryzen 9 9950X3D debuted at $699. On MSRP ($3420 vs $699), the Ryzen 9 9950X3D is $2721 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9354 delivers 21.6 pts/$ vs 100.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 9950X3D — making the Ryzen 9 9950X3D the 129.2% better value option.