AMD EPYC 7302 vs AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear, if narrow, picture: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX wins all six recorded head-to-head comparisons against the AMD EPYC 7302. The margins are consistent and small, ranging from 1.0% to 1.2% depending on the workload. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Threadripper PRO 3945WX scores 28,469 against the EPYC 7302's 28,140, a 1.2% advantage. The single-core result in the same test is similarly close, 4,019 versus 3,972, again a 1.2% edge for the Threadripper part.

The pattern holds across earlier Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Threadripper PRO 3945WX records 11,956 while the EPYC 7302 manages 11,818, a 1.2% difference. The single-core run shows 1,687 versus 1,668, a 1.1% lead. Cinebench R15 follows the same trajectory: multi-core scores are 2,869 and 2,836, a 1.2% gap, while single-core is 404 versus 400, a 1.0% margin. Every recorded test favors the Threadripper PRO 3945WX, yet no single result shows a decisive breakaway.

The average benchmark scores in the database tell a slightly different story. The EPYC 7302 has an average benchmark score of 8,139, which places it 0.1% behind the Intel Xeon Gold 5318Y (8,147) and 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i3-8100 (8,123). The Threadripper PRO 3945WX, by contrast, averages 7,741, sitting 2.1% behind the Intel Core i9-10980XE (7,910) and 1.7% ahead of the Intel Core i5-4590 (7,609). The EPYC 7302's higher average score reflects its broader benchmark coverage, but in the direct head-to-head tests, the Threadripper PRO 3945WX consistently edges ahead.

Both processors occupy the 64th percentile among all CPUs in the database, indicating that their overall performance profiles are considered comparable in the broader landscape. The recorded deltas are small enough that real-world application differences would likely be imperceptible in most tasks, but the data is unambiguous: the Threadripper PRO 3945WX holds the performance lead in every measured scenario.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share the same fundamental Zen 2 architecture and 7 nm manufacturing process from TSMC, yet they diverge significantly in their physical construction and intended roles. The EPYC 7302, codenamed Rome, belongs to the EPYC 7002 series and uses four chiplets, each measuring 74 mm², for a total die size of 4x 74 mm². It integrates 15,200 million transistors. The Threadripper PRO 3945WX, codenamed Castle Peak, uses only two chiplets of the same 74 mm² size, totaling 2x 74 mm², and houses 7,600 million transistors. The EPYC 7302 therefore packs double the chiplet count and roughly double the transistor count.

Core counts follow the chiplet disparity. The EPYC 7302 provides 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Threadripper PRO 3945WX offers 12 cores and 24 threads. The EPYC 7302 compensates for its lower clock speeds with additional cores: its base clock is 3.00 GHz and boost clock is 3.30 GHz, whereas the Threadripper PRO 3945WX operates at 4.00 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost. The higher clocks of the Threadripper part explain its victory in single-threaded tests despite the EPYC 7302's extra cores.

Cache hierarchies also differ. Each core in both processors has 64 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 cache. The L3 cache, however, is organized per die: the EPYC 7302 has 32 MB per die across four dies, yielding 128 MB of total L3 cache. The Threadripper PRO 3945WX has 64 MB of L3 cache across its two dies, with no separate total L3 figure recorded. The EPYC 7302's larger aggregate L3 capacity reflects its server-oriented design, where multiple dies can pool cache for data center workloads.

Memory support is identical in specification: both use DDR4 with an eight-channel memory bus and 204.8 GB/s of memory bandwidth, and both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity is also the same on paper: Gen 4 with 128 lanes from the CPU. Neither processor includes integrated graphics, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The sockets differ, with the EPYC 7302 using AMD Socket SP3 and the Threadripper PRO 3945WX using AMD Socket WRX8, meaning they are not interchangeable in a given platform.

Power envelopes diverge sharply. The EPYC 7302 has a TDP of 155 watts, while the Threadripper PRO 3945WX draws up to 280 watts. The Threadripper part's higher clocks and lower core count come at a substantial power cost, whereas the EPYC 7302 achieves its performance with more cores and lower frequencies within a much smaller thermal budget. The release dates also differ: the EPYC 7302 launched on August 6, 2019, while the Threadripper PRO 3945WX followed on July 13, 2020.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX scores 28,469, which is 1.2% higher than the AMD EPYC 7302's 28,140.

Q: How do single-core scores compare between the two?

A: The Threadripper PRO 3945WX leads in every single-core test. In Cinebench R23, it records 4,019 versus 3,972 for the EPYC 7302, a 1.2% advantage. The R20 and R15 results show 1,687 versus 1,668 and 404 versus 400, respectively.

Q: Does the EPYC 7302 have more cores?

A: Yes, the EPYC 7302 has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Threadripper PRO 3945WX has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: What is the clock speed difference?

A: The EPYC 7302 runs at 3.00 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. The Threadripper PRO 3945WX runs at 4.00 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost.

Q: Are their memory systems the same?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 with an eight-channel memory bus, 204.8 GB/s memory bandwidth, and ECC memory. Both also provide Gen 4 PCIe with 128 lanes from the CPU.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The EPYC 7302 has 32 MB of L3 per die across four dies, totaling 128 MB. The Threadripper PRO 3945WX has 64 MB of L3 across its two dies.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The EPYC 7302 has an average benchmark score of 8,139, while the Threadripper PRO 3945WX averages 7,741. Both sit at the 64th percentile among all CPUs.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion for raw performance: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX is the faster processor in every direct benchmark recorded. Its higher clock speeds, 4.00 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost, overcome the EPYC 7302's 16-core advantage in all tested workloads, delivering consistent 1.0% to 1.2% wins across single-core and multi-core Cinebench tests. Users seeking maximum throughput in the specific applications represented by these benchmarks should choose the Threadripper PRO 3945WX.

The EPYC 7302, however, offers a different set of strengths that are not captured in the Cinebench results. Its 128 MB of total L3 cache, double the Threadripper part's 64 MB, could benefit cache-sensitive server workloads. Its 155 watt TDP is substantially lower than the 280 watt TDP of the Threadripper PRO 3945WX, making it the more power-efficient option for densely packed servers. The EPYC 7302 also carries a launch MSRP of $978, a figure recorded in the database for this part.

For workstation users running the types of rendering and compute tasks represented by Cinebench, the Threadripper PRO 3945WX is the better pick based on the recorded scores. For data center deployments where power efficiency, large aggregate cache, and server-specific features matter more than a 1.2% benchmark margin, the EPYC 7302 is the more suitable choice. The average benchmark scores suggest the EPYC 7302 has a slight edge in overall versatility, 8,139 versus 7,741, but this difference is driven by a broader benchmark set rather than the head-to-head comparisons.

Both processors share Zen 2 architecture, 7 nm manufacturing, eight-channel DDR4 memory with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, ECC support, and 128 Gen 4 PCIe lanes. The decision ultimately hinges on whether the user prioritizes the Threadripper's clock speed advantage and benchmark wins or the EPYC's core count, cache capacity, and lower power draw.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD EPYC 7302 | AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX |

|---|---|---|

| Series | EPYC 7002 series | 3000 series |

| Cores | 16 | 12 |

| Threads | 32 | 24 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.30 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| TDP | 155 W | 280 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3 | AMD Socket WRX8 |

| Codename | Rome | Castle Peak |

| Generation | EPYC (Zen 2 (Rome)) | Ryzen Threadripper (Zen 2 (Castle Peak)) |

| Transistors | 15,200 million | 7,600 million |

| Die Size | 4x 74 mm² | 2x 74 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 32 MB (per die), 128 MB total | 64 MB |

| Part Number | 100-000000043 | 100-000000168 |

| Release Date | 2019-08-06 | 2020-07-13 |

| Launch MSRP | $978 | Not recorded |