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 9745

2024

Why buy it

✅+20.6% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 128 MB).
✅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 10.8 vs 43.4 PassMark/$ ($12,141 MSRP vs $2,499 MSRP).
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +37.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $9,642 less on MSRP ($2,499 MSRP vs $12,141 MSRP).
✅Delivers 302.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 43.4 vs 10.8 PassMark/$ ($2,499 MSRP vs $12,141 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (108,377 vs 130,698).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (128 MB vs 256 MB).

EPYC 9745

2024

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

2025

Why buy it

✅+20.6% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 128 MB).
✅39.1% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 92) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +37.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $9,642 less on MSRP ($2,499 MSRP vs $12,141 MSRP).
✅Delivers 302.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 43.4 vs 10.8 PassMark/$ ($2,499 MSRP vs $12,141 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 9970X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.8 vs 43.4 PassMark/$ ($12,141 MSRP vs $2,499 MSRP).
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (108,377 vs 130,698).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (128 MB vs 256 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper 9970X better than EPYC 9745?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is ahead with a 37.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9745 pulls ahead with 20.6% better PassMark. EPYC 9745 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 128 MB).

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 20.6% better PassMark, backed by 128 cores and 256 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 Threadripper 9970X is the smarter buy today. Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is $9,642 cheaper on MSRP at $2,499 MSRP versus $12,141 MSRP, and it gives you a 37.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that EPYC 9745 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 20.6% better PassMark. It is also 302.9% better value on MSRP (43.4 vs 10.8 PassMark/$), 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 Threadripper 9970X is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2024) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra cache should hold up really well in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

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 9745 Benchmark Check

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	EPYC 9745	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
1080p
low	192 FPS	314 FPS
medium	156 FPS	289 FPS
high	126 FPS	240 FPS
ultra	98 FPS	203 FPS
1440p
low	158 FPS	278 FPS
medium	124 FPS	231 FPS
high	96 FPS	178 FPS
ultra	77 FPS	158 FPS
4K
low	72 FPS	191 FPS
medium	60 FPS	158 FPS
high	47 FPS	121 FPS
ultra	39 FPS	107 FPS

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Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	EPYC 9745	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
1080p
low	525 FPS	818 FPS
medium	450 FPS	697 FPS
high	358 FPS	542 FPS
ultra	291 FPS	472 FPS
1440p
low	431 FPS	674 FPS
medium	379 FPS	599 FPS
high	310 FPS	480 FPS
ultra	245 FPS	388 FPS
4K
low	267 FPS	377 FPS
medium	239 FPS	339 FPS
high	208 FPS	310 FPS
ultra	172 FPS	271 FPS

Open EPYC 9745 Open Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	EPYC 9745	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
1080p
low	743 FPS	891 FPS
medium	610 FPS	723 FPS
high	556 FPS	649 FPS
ultra	481 FPS	552 FPS
1440p
low	594 FPS	714 FPS
medium	494 FPS	580 FPS
high	450 FPS	508 FPS
ultra	390 FPS	427 FPS
4K
low	430 FPS	508 FPS
medium	335 FPS	419 FPS
high	298 FPS	375 FPS
ultra	240 FPS	311 FPS

Open EPYC 9745 Open Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	EPYC 9745	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
1080p
low	974 FPS	1116 FPS
medium	884 FPS	1002 FPS
high	761 FPS	879 FPS
ultra	658 FPS	792 FPS
1440p
low	750 FPS	872 FPS
medium	656 FPS	768 FPS
high	561 FPS	674 FPS
ultra	482 FPS	587 FPS
4K
low	538 FPS	636 FPS
medium	481 FPS	568 FPS
high	422 FPS	504 FPS
ultra	365 FPS	437 FPS

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Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of EPYC 9745 and Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

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.

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 9745 packs 128 cores / 256 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the EPYC 9745 has 96 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9745 versus 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X — a 37.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X (base: 2.4 GHz vs 4 GHz). The EPYC 9745 uses the Turin (2024) architecture (3 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X uses Shimada Peak (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9745 scores 130,698 against the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X's 108,377 — a 18.7% lead for the EPYC 9745. L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9745 vs 128 MB (total) on the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X.

Feature	EPYC 9745	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
Cores / Threads	128 / 256+300%	32 / 64
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	5.4 GHz+46%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	4 GHz+67%
L3 Cache	256 MB (total)+100%	128 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB (per core)
Process	3 nm-25%	4 nm
Architecture	Turin (2024)	Shimada Peak (2025)
PassMark	130,698+21%	108,377
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	76,136
Geekbench 6 Single	—	3,220
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	29,244

🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 9745 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 DDR5-6000 memory speed. The EPYC 9745 supports up to 6 TB of RAM compared to 1 TB — 142.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9745) vs 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 9970X). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9745) vs 92 (Ryzen Threadripper 9970X) — the EPYC 9745 offers 36 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9745) and TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper 9970X).

Feature	EPYC 9745	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
Socket	SP5	sTR5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6000	DDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	6 TB+500%	1 TB
RAM Channels	12+200%	4
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128+39%	92

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: AMD-V, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9745) vs AMD-V, SVM (Ryzen Threadripper 9970X). Primary use case: EPYC 9745 targets Data Center / High Density, Ryzen Threadripper 9970X targets HEDT / Workstation. Direct competitor: EPYC 9745 rivals Xeon 6980P; Ryzen Threadripper 9970X rivals Xeon w7-3465X.

Feature	EPYC 9745	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	AMD-V, SEV-SNP	AMD-V, SVM
Target Use	Data Center / High Density	HEDT / Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

The EPYC 9745 launched at $12141 MSRP, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X debuted at $2499. On MSRP ($12141 vs $2499), the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is $9642 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9745 delivers 10.8 pts/$ vs 43.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X — making the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X the 120.5% better value option.