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 9634

2022

Why buy it

✅+190.7% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (384 MB vs 128 MB).
✅Draws 290W instead of 350W, a 60W reduction.
✅39.1% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 92) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 9970X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.5 vs 43.4 PassMark/$ ($10,304 MSRP vs $2,499 MSRP).

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +25.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $7,805 less on MSRP ($2,499 MSRP vs $10,304 MSRP).
✅Delivers 314.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 43.4 vs 10.5 PassMark/$ ($2,499 MSRP vs $10,304 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (29,244 vs 85,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (128 MB vs 384 MB).
❌20.7% higher power demand at 350W vs 290W.

EPYC 9634

2022

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

2025

Why buy it

✅+190.7% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (384 MB vs 128 MB).
✅Draws 290W instead of 350W, a 60W reduction.
✅39.1% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 92) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +25.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $7,805 less on MSRP ($2,499 MSRP vs $10,304 MSRP).
✅Delivers 314.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 43.4 vs 10.5 PassMark/$ ($2,499 MSRP vs $10,304 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 9970X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.5 vs 43.4 PassMark/$ ($10,304 MSRP vs $2,499 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (29,244 vs 85,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (128 MB vs 384 MB).
❌20.7% higher power demand at 350W vs 290W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper 9970X better than EPYC 9634?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is ahead with a 25.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9634 pulls ahead with 190.7% better Geekbench multi-core. EPYC 9634 also has the bigger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (384 MB vs 128 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9634 is the better fit. You are getting 190.7% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 84 cores and 168 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (384 MB vs 128 MB).

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

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is the smarter buy today. Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is $7,805 cheaper on MSRP at $2,499 MSRP versus $10,304 MSRP, and it gives you a 25.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that EPYC 9634 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 190.7% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 314.0% better value on MSRP (43.4 vs 10.5 PassMark/$), 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 9970X 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 9634 Benchmark Check

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	EPYC 9634	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
1080p
low	170 FPS	314 FPS
medium	141 FPS	289 FPS
high	122 FPS	240 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	203 FPS
1440p
low	148 FPS	278 FPS
medium	119 FPS	231 FPS
high	97 FPS	178 FPS
ultra	77 FPS	158 FPS
4K
low	70 FPS	191 FPS
medium	59 FPS	158 FPS
high	47 FPS	121 FPS
ultra	39 FPS	107 FPS

Open EPYC 9634 Open Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	EPYC 9634	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
1080p
low	280 FPS	818 FPS
medium	246 FPS	697 FPS
high	202 FPS	542 FPS
ultra	166 FPS	472 FPS
1440p
low	230 FPS	674 FPS
medium	207 FPS	599 FPS
high	175 FPS	480 FPS
ultra	139 FPS	388 FPS
4K
low	142 FPS	377 FPS
medium	130 FPS	339 FPS
high	117 FPS	310 FPS
ultra	98 FPS	271 FPS

Open EPYC 9634 Open Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	EPYC 9634	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
1080p
low	671 FPS	891 FPS
medium	560 FPS	723 FPS
high	522 FPS	649 FPS
ultra	454 FPS	552 FPS
1440p
low	511 FPS	714 FPS
medium	425 FPS	580 FPS
high	389 FPS	508 FPS
ultra	337 FPS	427 FPS
4K
low	376 FPS	508 FPS
medium	293 FPS	419 FPS
high	262 FPS	375 FPS
ultra	210 FPS	311 FPS

Open EPYC 9634 Open Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	EPYC 9634	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
1080p
low	899 FPS	1116 FPS
medium	819 FPS	1002 FPS
high	706 FPS	879 FPS
ultra	621 FPS	792 FPS
1440p
low	722 FPS	872 FPS
medium	629 FPS	768 FPS
high	538 FPS	674 FPS
ultra	459 FPS	587 FPS
4K
low	518 FPS	636 FPS
medium	462 FPS	568 FPS
high	406 FPS	504 FPS
ultra	349 FPS	437 FPS

Open EPYC 9634 Open Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of EPYC 9634 and Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

EPYC 9634

The EPYC 9634 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 84 cores and 168 threads. Base frequency is 2.25 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 384 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: 107,944 points. Launch price was $10,304.

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

The Ryzen Threadripper 9970X 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 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 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: 108,377 points. Launch price was $2,499.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 9634 packs 84 cores / 168 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the EPYC 9634 has 52 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9634 versus 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X — a 37.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X (base: 2.25 GHz vs 4 GHz). The EPYC 9634 uses the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture (5 nm, 6 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X uses Shimada Peak (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9634 scores 107,944 against the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X's 108,377 — a 0.4% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,800 vs 3,220, a 56.6% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 85,000 vs 29,244 (97.6% advantage for the EPYC 9634). L3 cache: 384 MB (total) on the EPYC 9634 vs 128 MB (total) on the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X.

Feature	EPYC 9634	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
Cores / Threads	84 / 168+163%	32 / 64
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	5.4 GHz+46%
Base Clock	2.25 GHz	4 GHz+78%
L3 Cache	384 MB (total)+200%	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	107,944	108,377
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	76,136
Geekbench 6 Single	1,800	3,220+79%
Geekbench 6 Multi	85,000+191%	29,244

🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 9634 uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X uses sTR5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. The EPYC 9634 supports up to 6144 GB of RAM compared to 1 TB — 199.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9634) vs 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 9970X). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9634) vs 92 (Ryzen Threadripper 9970X) — the EPYC 9634 offers 36 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (EPYC 9634) and TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper 9970X).

Feature	EPYC 9634	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
Socket	SP5	sTR5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	6144 GB+500%	1 TB
RAM Channels	12+200%	4
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128+39%	92

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X 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: AMD-V (EPYC 9634) vs AMD-V, SVM (Ryzen Threadripper 9970X). Primary use case: EPYC 9634 targets Server/Datacenter, Ryzen Threadripper 9970X targets HEDT / Workstation. Direct competitor: EPYC 9634 rivals Xeon 8470; Ryzen Threadripper 9970X rivals Xeon w7-3465X.

Feature	EPYC 9634	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	AMD-V	AMD-V, SVM
Target Use	Server/Datacenter	HEDT / Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

The EPYC 9634 launched at $10304 MSRP, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X debuted at $2499. On MSRP ($10304 vs $2499), the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is $7805 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9634 delivers 10.5 pts/$ vs 43.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X — making the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X the 122.2% better value option.