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 9454P

2022

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 128 MB).
✅Draws 290W instead of 350W, a 60W reduction.
✅45.5% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 88) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 9960X across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (18,576 vs 26,000).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 20.6 vs 61.9 PassMark/$ ($4,598 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +36.7% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $3,099 less on MSRP ($1,499 MSRP vs $4,598 MSRP).
✅Delivers 200.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.9 vs 20.6 PassMark/$ ($1,499 MSRP vs $4,598 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (128 MB vs 256 MB).
❌20.7% higher power demand at 350W vs 290W.

EPYC 9454P

2022

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

2025

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 128 MB).
✅Draws 290W instead of 350W, a 60W reduction.
✅45.5% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 88) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +36.7% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $3,099 less on MSRP ($1,499 MSRP vs $4,598 MSRP).
✅Delivers 200.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.9 vs 20.6 PassMark/$ ($1,499 MSRP vs $4,598 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 9960X across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (18,576 vs 26,000).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 20.6 vs 61.9 PassMark/$ ($4,598 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (128 MB vs 256 MB).
❌20.7% higher power demand at 350W vs 290W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper 9960X better than EPYC 9454P?

Yes. Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 36.7% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 40% better Geekbench multi-core, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 36.7% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is the better fit. You are getting 40% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads.

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

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is the smarter buy today. Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is $3,099 cheaper on MSRP at $1,499 MSRP versus $4,598 MSRP, and it gives you a 36.7% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 200.7% better value on MSRP (61.9 vs 20.6 PassMark/$), 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 Threadripper 9960X is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022), more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 48 threads instead of 48/96, 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 9454P Benchmark Check

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	EPYC 9454P	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
1080p
low	171 FPS	314 FPS
medium	142 FPS	290 FPS
high	122 FPS	241 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	203 FPS
1440p
low	149 FPS	278 FPS
medium	120 FPS	231 FPS
high	97 FPS	179 FPS
ultra	77 FPS	158 FPS
4K
low	70 FPS	191 FPS
medium	60 FPS	158 FPS
high	47 FPS	121 FPS
ultra	39 FPS	107 FPS

Open EPYC 9454P Open Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	EPYC 9454P	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
1080p
low	533 FPS	826 FPS
medium	465 FPS	704 FPS
high	373 FPS	548 FPS
ultra	303 FPS	474 FPS
1440p
low	438 FPS	677 FPS
medium	392 FPS	601 FPS
high	323 FPS	482 FPS
ultra	255 FPS	390 FPS
4K
low	270 FPS	378 FPS
medium	246 FPS	341 FPS
high	216 FPS	311 FPS
ultra	179 FPS	272 FPS

Open EPYC 9454P Open Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	EPYC 9454P	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
1080p
low	672 FPS	893 FPS
medium	561 FPS	724 FPS
high	522 FPS	650 FPS
ultra	455 FPS	553 FPS
1440p
low	511 FPS	716 FPS
medium	426 FPS	581 FPS
high	390 FPS	509 FPS
ultra	337 FPS	428 FPS
4K
low	377 FPS	509 FPS
medium	294 FPS	420 FPS
high	263 FPS	376 FPS
ultra	211 FPS	312 FPS

Open EPYC 9454P Open Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	EPYC 9454P	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
1080p
low	902 FPS	1116 FPS
medium	822 FPS	1002 FPS
high	708 FPS	879 FPS
ultra	625 FPS	792 FPS
1440p
low	724 FPS	873 FPS
medium	631 FPS	769 FPS
high	540 FPS	675 FPS
ultra	462 FPS	588 FPS
4K
low	519 FPS	637 FPS
medium	464 FPS	568 FPS
high	407 FPS	505 FPS
ultra	350 FPS	437 FPS

Open EPYC 9454P Open Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of EPYC 9454P and Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

EPYC 9454P

The EPYC 9454P 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 48 cores and 96 threads. Base frequency is 2.75 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): 290 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 94,686 points. Launch price was $4,598.

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

The Ryzen Threadripper 9960X 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 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 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: 92,808 points. Launch price was $1,499.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 9454P packs 48 cores / 96 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the EPYC 9454P has 24 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the EPYC 9454P versus 5.3 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X — a 33% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X (base: 2.75 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). The EPYC 9454P uses the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture (5 nm, 6 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X uses Shimada Peak (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9454P scores 94,686 against the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X's 92,808 — a 2% lead for the EPYC 9454P. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,923 vs 3,200, a 49.9% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 18,576 vs 26,000 (33.3% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X). L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9454P vs 128 MB (total) on the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X.

Feature	EPYC 9454P	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
Cores / Threads	48 / 96+100%	24 / 48
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	5.3 GHz+39%
Base Clock	2.75 GHz	4.2 GHz+53%
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)	Shimada Peak (2025)
PassMark	94,686+2%	92,808
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	41,000
Geekbench 6 Single	1,923	3,200+66%
Geekbench 6 Multi	18,576	26,000+40%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 9454P uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X uses sTR5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. The Ryzen Threadripper 9960X supports up to 1024 GB of RAM compared to 6 TB — 197.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9454P) vs 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 9960X). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9454P) vs 88 (Ryzen Threadripper 9960X) — the EPYC 9454P offers 40 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9454P) and TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper 9960X).

Feature	EPYC 9454P	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
Socket	SP5	sTR5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	6 TB+500%	1024 GB
RAM Channels	12+200%	4
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128+45%	88

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: AMD-V, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9454P) vs true (Ryzen Threadripper 9960X). Primary use case: EPYC 9454P targets Data Center / Single Socket, Ryzen Threadripper 9960X targets Content Creation / Rendering. Direct competitor: EPYC 9454P rivals Xeon 8468; Ryzen Threadripper 9960X rivals Xeon w7-3555.

Feature	EPYC 9454P	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
Integrated GPU	No	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	AMD-V, SEV-SNP	true
Target Use	Data Center / Single Socket	Content Creation / Rendering

💰

Value Analysis

The EPYC 9454P launched at $4598 MSRP, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X debuted at $1499. On MSRP ($4598 vs $1499), the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is $3099 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9454P delivers 20.6 pts/$ vs 61.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X — making the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X the 100.2% better value option.