AMD EPYC 4245P vs AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and AMD EPYC 4245P both use the Zen 5 architecture on TSMC’s 4 nm process, but they are tuned for very different roles. The 9800X3D is a desktop part with 8 cores and 16 threads, while the EPYC 4245P is a server/workstation chip with 6 cores and 12 threads. Benchmark data reveals a split personality: the 9800X3D dominates most compute-heavy workloads, yet the EPYC 4245P takes a surprising lead in several single-threaded and rendering tests. The following analysis walks through the exact numbers, the implications for buyers, and the architectural choices that drive these results.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Ryzen 7 9800X3D wins 10 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons, and its victories are often decisive. The largest margin comes in `passmark_find_prime_numbers`, where the 9800X3D scores 423 against the EPYC’s 193, a 119.2% advantage. This is a massive gap, suggesting the desktop chip’s higher base clock of 4.70 GHz and larger L3 cache provide a substantial edge in integer-heavy algorithm loops. The `passmark_extended_instructions` test also favors the 9800X3D heavily, with a score of 38808 versus 26547, a 46.2% delta. Similarly, `passmark_floating_point_math` shows a 37.1% lead (79456 vs 57965), and `passmark_data_compression` is 37.9% ahead (468017 vs 339408). These results indicate that for raw throughput in math, compression, and encryption workloads, the 9800X3D is clearly superior.

The 9800X3D also wins in `passmark_physics` with 4083 points versus 2637, a 54.8% lead, and in `passmark_multithread` with 40009 versus 31063, a 28.8% advantage. Its `passmark_data_encryption` score is 22158 versus 18466, a 20% win, and `passmark_integer_math` shows a 22.7% edge (116709 vs 95120). Even `passmark_random_string_sorting` goes to the 9800X3D, 48526 vs 39916, a 21.6% margin. These wins are consistent across the PassMark suite, painting a picture of a chip that simply does more work per second in most threaded tasks.

However, the EPYC 4245P fights back in specific areas. The most striking reversal is in `cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecore`, where the EPYC scores 3757 versus the 9800X3D’s 2080, a 44.6% victory for the server chip. This is an enormous single-threaded gap, and it is echoed in `cinebench_cinebench_r15_singlecore`, where the EPYC wins 378 to 328, a 13.2% margin. The EPYC also wins `cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicore` with 26618 versus 23230, a 12.7% lead, and `cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicore` is the only Cinebench test the 9800X3D wins, taking it 3647 to 2682, a 36% margin. In `passmark_single_thread`, the EPYC edges out a win with 4575 versus 4430, a 3.2% margin, which is replicated in the duplicate `passmark_singlethread` entry.

The overall average benchmark scores are close: the 9800X3D sits at 39768, while the EPYC is at 39215. The 9800X3D’s percentile rank among all CPUs is 87, versus 86 for the EPYC. This near-parity in overall averages masks the starkly different workload profiles — the 9800X3D wins on breadth, but the EPYC wins decisively in Cinebench and single-threaded PassMark tests.

The Verdict

The data suggests a clear split: choose the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D for general-purpose desktop computing, heavy multitasking, and most compute workloads. Its wins in integer math, floating-point math, data compression, and encryption make it the better choice for software development, data analysis, and any task that leverages the PassMark suite’s varied instructions. The 119.2% lead in prime number finding is particularly notable for scientific or cryptographic workloads. With 8 cores and 16 threads, it also has more parallel resources than the EPYC’s 6 cores and 12 threads, which explains its 28.8% lead in `passmark_multithread`.

Choose the AMD EPYC 4245P if single-threaded performance is paramount, or if your workflow is dominated by Cinebench-style rendering. The 44.6% lead in `cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecore` is the single largest advantage in the entire comparison, and the 12.7% win in `cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicore` shows that even with fewer cores, the EPYC’s higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz (versus 5.20 GHz) can overcome the core-count deficit in certain rendering engines. The EPYC also wins in the two `passmark_single_thread` tests, albeit by a smaller 3.2% margin. For a server or workstation where single-threaded responsiveness is critical, or where the Cinebench suite is the primary benchmark, the EPYC 4245P is the data-backed pick.

FAQ

Q: Which chip has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has an average benchmark score of 39768, compared to 39215 for the AMD EPYC 4245P. This is a 0.4% difference, nearly negligible in overall terms.

Q: How do the two compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The EPYC 4245P wins all single-threaded comparisons. It leads by 44.6% in `cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecore` (3757 vs 2080), by 13.2% in `cinebench_cinebench_r15_singlecore` (378 vs 328), and by 3.2% in `passmark_single_thread` (4575 vs 4430).

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two chips?

A: The largest delta is in `passmark_find_prime_numbers`, where the Ryzen 7 9800X3D scores 423 versus the EPYC’s 193, a 119.2% advantage for the desktop chip.

Q: Do both chips support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and the AMD EPYC 4245P have `eccMemory` set to `true` in their specifications.

Q: Which chip has more L3 cache?

A: The Ryzen 7 9800X3D has 96 MB of shared L3 cache, while the EPYC 4245P has 32 MB of shared L3 cache. This is a significant difference that likely contributes to the 9800X3D’s wins in data-heavy workloads.

Q: Are there any benchmark tests where the EPYC wins by a large margin?

A: Yes, the EPYC’s win in `cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecore` is a 44.6% lead, and its `cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicore` win is 12.7%. These are the two largest victories for the EPYC.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several core specifications. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the EPYC 4245P has 6 cores and 12 threads. The base clock is higher on the 9800X3D at 4.70 GHz versus 3.90 GHz on the EPYC, but the boost clock is higher on the EPYC at 5.40 GHz versus 5.20 GHz. The TDP differs substantially: the 9800X3D is rated at 120 W, while the EPYC 4245P is rated at 65 W. The L3 cache is 96 MB on the 9800X3D versus 32 MB on the EPYC. The 9800X3D has an unlocked multiplier, while the EPYC’s is locked. The market segments differ, with the 9800X3D classified as Desktop and the EPYC as Server/Workstation. The release dates are also different, with the 9800X3D launching on 2024-11-06 and the EPYC on 2025-05-12. The launch MSRP is $479 for the 9800X3D and $239 for the EPYC.

Architecture Differences

Both chips share the same fundamental architecture: Zen 5 on a 4 nm TSMC process, with 8,315 million transistors and a die size of 70.6 mm². They also share the same socket (AMD Socket AM5), memory support (DDR5, dual-channel, 89.6 GB/s bandwidth), PCIe configuration (Gen 5, 24 lanes), and integrated graphics (Radeon Graphics). The core counts differ, as noted. The codenames differ: the 9800X3D is Granite Ridge, while the EPYC is Grado. The L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core, as is the L2 cache at 1 MB per core. The L3 cache is the major architectural split, with the 9800X3D featuring 96 MB shared versus 32 MB shared on the EPYC. The EPYC’s generation is listed as "EPYC (Zen 5 (Grado))", while the 9800X3D is "Ryzen 7 (Zen 5 (Granite Ridge))". The EPYC has a lower TDP of 65 W, suggesting a more power-efficient bin, while the 9800X3D’s 120 W TDP aligns with its higher base clock and larger cache.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the clear winner in the PassMark suite, taking 10 of 11 PassMark tests. It excels in integer math (22.7% lead), floating-point math (37.1%), data compression (37.9%), data encryption (20%), extended instructions (46.2%), physics (54.8%), random string sorting (21.6%), multithread (28.8%), and prime number finding (119.2%). This makes it the superior choice for general-purpose desktop use, including software compilation, data processing, and any workload that benefits from its larger 96 MB L3 cache. It also wins `cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicore` by 36%.

The EPYC 4245P wins in all single-threaded tests and in Cinebench R23. Its 44.6% lead in `cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecore` and 12.7% lead in `cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicore` make it the better option for 3D rendering and animation workloads that rely on the Cinebench engine. Its 3.2% wins in `passmark_single_thread` and `passmark_singlethread` also indicate an edge in lightly threaded applications. The EPYC’s higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz, combined with its lower TDP of 65 W, positions it as a more energy-efficient choice for single-threaded tasks, despite having fewer cores. For a server environment that prioritizes raw single-thread speed or specific rendering software, the EPYC 4245P is the data-backed selection.