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 7402

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 24 cores / 48 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 28.
✅357.1% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 28) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 across 25 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (28,546 vs 28,905).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (32 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 25.8 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($1,783 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
❌176.9% higher power demand at 180W vs 65W.

Ryzen 9 PRO 7945

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +49.9% higher average FPS across 25 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB).
✅Costs $1,374 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $1,783 MSRP).
✅Delivers 343.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 25.8 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $1,783 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 180W, a 115W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7402, which brings 24 cores / 48 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

EPYC 7402

2019

Ryzen 9 PRO 7945

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 24 cores / 48 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 28.
✅357.1% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 28) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +49.9% higher average FPS across 25 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB).
✅Costs $1,374 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $1,783 MSRP).
✅Delivers 343.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 25.8 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $1,783 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 180W, a 115W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 across 25 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (28,546 vs 28,905).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (32 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 25.8 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($1,783 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
❌176.9% higher power demand at 180W vs 65W.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7402, which brings 24 cores / 48 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 better than EPYC 7402?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. EPYC 7402 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 49.9% more average FPS across 25 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 is the better fit. You are getting 1.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB).

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

Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 is the smarter buy today. Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 is $1,374 cheaper on MSRP at $409 MSRP versus $1,783 MSRP, and it gives you a 49.9% average FPS lead across 25 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 343.7% better value on MSRP (114.5 vs 25.8 PassMark/$), 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 PRO 7945 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2019), a healthier platform with AM5 and DDR5 instead of SP3, 100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB), more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 24/48, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. 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 7402 Benchmark Check

Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	EPYC 7402	Ryzen 9 PRO 7945
1080p
low	158 FPS	269 FPS
medium	131 FPS	244 FPS
high	110 FPS	209 FPS
ultra	87 FPS	183 FPS
1440p
low	132 FPS	260 FPS
medium	107 FPS	212 FPS
high	87 FPS	168 FPS
ultra	69 FPS	151 FPS
4K
low	64 FPS	180 FPS
medium	55 FPS	147 FPS
high	43 FPS	110 FPS
ultra	34 FPS	98 FPS

Open EPYC 7402 Open Ryzen 9 PRO 7945

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	EPYC 7402	Ryzen 9 PRO 7945
1080p
low	358 FPS	660 FPS
medium	315 FPS	567 FPS
high	263 FPS	426 FPS
ultra	213 FPS	368 FPS
1440p
low	303 FPS	555 FPS
medium	276 FPS	495 FPS
high	236 FPS	384 FPS
ultra	188 FPS	306 FPS
4K
low	195 FPS	313 FPS
medium	179 FPS	283 FPS
high	153 FPS	250 FPS
ultra	123 FPS	214 FPS

Open EPYC 7402 Open Ryzen 9 PRO 7945

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	EPYC 7402	Ryzen 9 PRO 7945
1080p
low	645 FPS	1025 FPS
medium	526 FPS	1118 FPS
high	468 FPS	1041 FPS
ultra	410 FPS	875 FPS
1440p
low	499 FPS	940 FPS
medium	406 FPS	836 FPS
high	355 FPS	754 FPS
ultra	307 FPS	656 FPS
4K
low	369 FPS	574 FPS
medium	287 FPS	495 FPS
high	245 FPS	445 FPS
ultra	196 FPS	378 FPS

Open EPYC 7402 Open Ryzen 9 PRO 7945

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	EPYC 7402	Ryzen 9 PRO 7945
1080p
low	820 FPS	1171 FPS
medium	746 FPS	1015 FPS
high	646 FPS	981 FPS
ultra	568 FPS	854 FPS
1440p
low	657 FPS	1019 FPS
medium	572 FPS	888 FPS
high	492 FPS	762 FPS
ultra	422 FPS	639 FPS
4K
low	448 FPS	754 FPS
medium	402 FPS	658 FPS
high	359 FPS	569 FPS
ultra	312 FPS	437 FPS

Open EPYC 7402 Open Ryzen 9 PRO 7945

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of EPYC 7402 and Ryzen 9 PRO 7945

EPYC 7402

The EPYC 7402 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 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.35 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm, 14 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 180 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 46,012 points. Launch price was $1,783.

Ryzen 9 PRO 7945

The Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 13 June 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raphael (2023−2025) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 46,828 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Processing Power

The EPYC 7402 packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the EPYC 7402 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.35 GHz on the EPYC 7402 versus 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 — a 46.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The EPYC 7402 uses the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture (7 nm, 14 nm), while the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 uses Raphael (2023−2025) (5 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7402 scores 46,012 against the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945's 46,828 — a 1.8% lead for the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 28,546 vs 28,905 (1.2% advantage for the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,299 vs 2,206, a 51.8% lead for the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,622 vs 16,832 (28.6% advantage for the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945). L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the EPYC 7402 vs 64 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945.

Feature	EPYC 7402	Ryzen 9 PRO 7945
Cores / Threads	24 / 48+100%	12 / 24
Boost Clock	3.35 GHz	5.4 GHz+61%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	3.7 GHz+32%
L3 Cache	32 MB (total)	64 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)	1 MB (per core)+100%
Process	7 nm, 14 nm	5 nm-29%
Architecture	Zen 2 (2017−2020)	Raphael (2023−2025)
PassMark	46,012	46,828+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	28,546	28,905+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,299	2,206+70%
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,622	16,832+33%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7402 uses the SP3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 uses AM5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the EPYC 7402 versus DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 — the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7402 supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 187.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (EPYC 7402) vs 2 (Ryzen 9 PRO 7945). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7402) vs 28 (Ryzen 9 PRO 7945) — the EPYC 7402 offers 100 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3,Rome (EPYC 7402) and AMD X670E,AMD X670,AMD B650E,AMD B650,AMD A620 (Ryzen 9 PRO 7945).

Feature	EPYC 7402	Ryzen 9 PRO 7945
Socket	SP3	AM5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	DDR5-5200+25%
Max RAM Capacity	4096 GB+3100%	128 GB
RAM Channels	8+300%	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128+357%	28

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V, SEV, IOMMU (EPYC 7402) vs true (Ryzen 9 PRO 7945). The Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 includes integrated graphics (Radeon Graphics), while the EPYC 7402 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: EPYC 7402 targets Server / Workstation. Direct competitor: EPYC 7402 rivals Xeon Gold 6242; Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 rivals Core i9-13900.

Feature	EPYC 7402	Ryzen 9 PRO 7945
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Radeon Graphics
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	AMD-V, SEV, IOMMU	true
Target Use	Server / Workstation	—

💰

Value Analysis

The EPYC 7402 launched at $1783 MSRP, while the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 debuted at $409. On MSRP ($1783 vs $409), the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 is $1374 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7402 delivers 25.8 pts/$ vs 114.5 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 — making the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 the 126.4% better value option.