AMD EPYC 9454 vs AMD EPYC 9554P Comparison

The AMD EPYC 9554P and AMD EPYC 9454 are both members of the EPYC 9004 series, built on Zen 4 (Genoa) architecture. They share the same 5 nm process, TSMC foundry, and AMD Socket SP5. The 9554P is a 64-core part, while the 9454 has 48 cores. Benchmark results from the database show a consistent performance gap across all measured Cinebench tests, with the 9554P leading by roughly 22% in every case.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records six Cinebench comparisons between these two processors, and the 9554P wins all six. The margins are remarkably uniform. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 9554P scores 9020 against 7396 for the 9454, a 22% advantage. Single-core R15 shows 1273 versus 1044, a 21.9% lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core result is 37585 for the 9554P and 30817 for the 9454, again a 22% gap. The single-core R20 score is 5305 versus 4350, also 22%. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score is 89490 for the 9554P and 73375 for the 9454, a 22% difference. The single-core R23 result is 12633 versus 10358, also 22%. No test goes the other way; the 9454 does not win a single recorded benchmark.

The consistency of the 22% delta across both multi-core and single-core workloads is notable. It suggests that the performance difference is not simply a matter of core count, but also of per-core efficiency. The 9554P has a higher base clock (3.10 versus 2.75) and a slightly lower boost clock (3.75 versus 3.80), yet it still leads in single-core tests. This indicates that the 9554P's higher base clock and possibly better binning give it an edge in lightly threaded tasks as well.

The average benchmark score in the database is 21899 for the 9554P and 21223 for the 9454. While this average includes different test sets, it reinforces the overall performance advantage of the 9554P. The nearest rivals for the 9554P include the AMD EPYC 9534 with an average score of 21900 and a delta of 0%, and the Intel Core i7-11700 at 21891. The 9454's nearest rivals are lower-scoring parts, such as the Intel Core Ultra 7 155U at 21174 and the AMD Ryzen 5 7530U at 21133. This places the 9554P in a slightly higher performance tier, even though both CPUs sit at the 75th percentile among all processors.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same Zen 4 architecture with the Genoa codename. They use the same 5 nm process from TSMC, have the same transistor count of 52,560 million, and the same die size of 8x 72 mm². The cache hierarchy is identical: 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 256 MB of shared L3. Memory support is also the same: DDR5 with a twelve-channel memory bus and 460.8 GB/s of bandwidth, plus ECC support. Both have PCIe Gen 5 with 128 lanes (CPU only) and no integrated graphics.

The differences are in core count, thread count, clock speeds, and TDP. The 9554P has 64 cores and 128 threads, while the 9454 has 48 cores and 96 threads. The base clock is 3.10 for the 9554P and 2.75 for the 9454. The boost clock is 3.75 for the 9554P and 3.80 for the 9454, so the 9454 has a slightly higher maximum frequency. The TDP is 360 for the 9554P and 290 for the 9454, meaning the 9554P draws more power under load. Both are unlocked? No, both have multiplierUnlocked false, so they are locked.

The higher core count and higher base clock of the 9554P explain its multi-core advantage. The slightly higher boost clock of the 9454 does not translate into a single-core win, likely because the 9554P's higher base clock allows it to sustain higher frequencies in short bursts. The TDP difference is significant for server deployments: the 9454 consumes 70 less power, which can matter in dense racks or power-constrained environments.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded benchmarks, the 9554P wins in every measured category. It is faster in multi-threaded workloads such as Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 89490 versus 73375. It is also faster in single-threaded tasks, as shown by the R23 single-core score of 12633 versus 10358. There is no benchmark in the database where the 9454 comes out ahead.

The 9454's advantages are not in performance but in power and cost. Its TDP of 290 is lower than the 9554P's 360, which makes it a better fit for systems with limited cooling or power budgets. The 9454 also has a lower launch MSRP of $5225, compared to $7104 for the 9554P. However, the database does not include any efficiency or performance-per-watt metrics, so the practical impact of the TDP difference is not quantified here.

For workloads that are heavily threaded, such as virtualization, database processing, or scientific computing, the 9554P's 64 cores and 22% multi-core lead make it the obvious choice. For single-threaded applications, the 9554P also wins, so there is no scenario in the data where the 9454 offers better performance. The 9454 may be sufficient for lighter workloads that do not need 64 cores, but it will be slower in all tested scenarios.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores?

A: The 9554P has 64 cores and 128 threads, while the 9454 has 48 cores and 96 threads.

Q: What is the difference in base clock?

A: The 9554P has a base clock of 3.10, while the 9454 has a base clock of 2.75.

Q: Which has a higher boost clock?

A: The 9454 has a boost clock of 3.80, slightly higher than the 9554P's 3.75.

Q: How do they compare in single-core performance?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the 9554P scores 12633 versus 10358 for the 9454, a 22% lead.

Q: Do they support the same memory?

A: Yes, both support DDR5 with a twelve-channel memory bus and 460.8 GB/s bandwidth, plus ECC.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The 9554P has a TDP of 360, while the 9454 has a TDP of 290.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD EPYC 9554P outperforms the AMD EPYC 9454 in every recorded benchmark. The 22% lead in both multi-core and single-core Cinebench tests makes it the stronger processor for any workload that benefits from raw compute throughput. The 9554P's higher core count and higher base clock are the primary reasons for this advantage, and its slightly lower boost clock does not hurt it in single-threaded tasks.

The 9454 is not without merit. Its lower TDP of 290 versus 360 makes it a more power-efficient option for dense server environments. Its launch MSRP of $5225 is also lower than the 9554P's $7104, which may appeal to cost-conscious buyers. However, the database does not include any efficiency metrics, so the power savings cannot be directly compared to the performance loss.

For users who need maximum performance, the 9554P is the clear choice. For those who can accept a 22% performance deficit in exchange for lower power consumption and a lower initial cost, the 9454 is a viable alternative. But based strictly on the benchmark data, the 9554P wins every test.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Cores: 64 (9554P) vs 48 (9454)
• Threads: 128 (9554P) vs 96 (9454)
• Base clock: 3.10 (9554P) vs 2.75 (9454)
• Boost clock: 3.75 (9554P) vs 3.80 (9454)
• TDP: 360 (9554P) vs 290 (9454)
• Launch MSRP: $7104 (9554P) vs $5225 (9454)
• Part number: 100-100000804 (9554P) vs 100-100000478 (9454)

All other specifications, including architecture, process node, cache, memory support, PCIe lanes, and socket, are identical.