AMD EPYC 9655 vs AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X Comparison

The AMD EPYC 9655 and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X are both Zen 5 parts built on TSMC's 4 nm process, but the recorded data shows them at opposite ends of the compute spectrum. The EPYC 9655 wins 9 of the 11 head-to-head benchmarks, while the Threadripper 9970X takes the two single-thread entries. Their average benchmark scores place the EPYC at 373479 (100th percentile of all CPUs) and the Threadripper at 279778 (99th percentile).

Where Each One Wins

The EPYC 9655's victories cover every multi-threaded and server-oriented workload in the comparison. It wins data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, find prime numbers, floating point math, integer math, multithread, physics, and random string sorting. The Threadripper 9970X wins only the two identical single-thread tests, scoring 4530 in both against the EPYC's 3847.

The EPYC's margins are not narrow. In physics, it records 25947 against 6835, a 279.6 percent delta. Integer math shows 1139161 against 465378, a 144.8 percent delta. Data encryption is 210555 against 86765, a 142.7 percent delta. Random string sorting is 439682 against 191445, a 129.7 percent delta. Floating point math is 662958 against 309719, a 114.1 percent delta. These are the gaps that matter when a system is pushing heavy throughput.

The Threadripper's single-thread edge is 15.1 percent, which is meaningful for latency-sensitive tasks. Its boost clock of 5.40 GHz, compared with the EPYC's 4.50 GHz, is the direct cause. For a desktop user running a lightly threaded application, that single-thread margin is the deciding attribute.

The database also places each part against its nearest rivals. The EPYC's average score of 373479 is 2.3 percent above the Intel Xeon 6960P and 2.5 percent above the AMD EPYC 9754, while the AMD EPYC 9535 sits 1.6 percent below it. The Threadripper's 279778 is 0.2 percent below the Intel Xeon 6780E and 2.0 percent below the AMD EPYC 9565. These reference points confirm the EPYC's position at the top of the server scale and the Threadripper's as a high-end desktop part.

Architecture Differences

Both processors use the Zen 5 architecture and TSMC's 4 nm process, but their physical construction diverges. The EPYC 9655, codename Turin, is built from 12 dies of 70.6 mm² each, totaling 99,780 million transistors. The Threadripper 9970X, codename Shimada Peak, uses 4 dies of the same 70.6 mm² size, totaling 33,260 million transistors. The EPYC carries twelve times the die count and three times the transistor budget, which directly feeds its larger core count and cache pool.

The cache hierarchy differs at both levels. The EPYC provides 80 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with 384 MB of shared L3. The Threadripper provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 128 MB of L3. The EPYC's L3 is 384 MB, the Threadripper's is 128 MB, a gap that favors workloads with large working sets.

Memory support is a major architectural split. The EPYC uses a twelve-channel DDR5 bus with 576.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The Threadripper uses a quad-channel DDR5 bus with 204.8 GB/s. Both support ECC memory, but the EPYC's memory subsystem is designed to feed 96 cores, while the Threadripper's feeds 32.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The EPYC offers Gen 5, 128 lanes (CPU only), while the Threadripper offers Gen 5, 80 lanes (CPU only). Neither has integrated graphics. The sockets are distinct: AMD Socket SP5 for the EPYC, AMD Socket sTR5 for the Threadripper.

Production status is Active for both. The EPYC was released on 2024-10-09, the Threadripper on 2025-07-29. The EPYC has a locked multiplier; the Threadripper has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head set contains 11 tests. The EPYC 9655 wins 9, the Threadripper 9970X wins 2. The deltas are the recorded deltas from the database.

The EPYC's largest win is in physics: 25947 against 6835, a 279.6 percent delta. Find prime numbers shows 1598 against 615, a 159.8 percent delta. Integer math is 1139161 against 465378, a 144.8 percent delta. Data encryption is 210555 against 86765, a 142.7 percent delta. Random string sorting is 439682 against 191445, a 129.7 percent delta. Floating point math is 662958 against 309719, a 114.1 percent delta. Data compression is 3271896 against 1757998, an 86.1 percent delta. The multithread test is 156110 against 107399, a 45.4 percent delta. Extended instructions is 203285 against 142342, a 42.8 percent delta.

The Threadripper's only wins are the two single-thread tests, both at 4530 against the EPYC's 3847, a 15.1 percent delta. No other test shows the Threadripper ahead. The deltas are consistent: the EPYC's advantage scales with thread count and workload size, while the Threadripper's advantage appears only when a single thread is the sole factor.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD EPYC 9655 | AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X |

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

| Cores | 96 | 32 |

| Threads | 192 | 64 |

| Base clock | 2.60 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.50 GHz | 5.40 GHz |

| TDP | 400 W | 350 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP5 | AMD Socket sTR5 |

| Process node | 4 nm | 4 nm |

| Transistors | 99,780 million | 33,260 million |

| Die size | 12x 70.6 mm² | 4x 70.6 mm² |

| L1 cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 384 MB (shared) | 128 MB |

| Memory bus | Twelve-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 576.0 GB/s | 204.8 GB/s |

| ECC memory | Yes | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 128 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 80 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | N/A | N/A |

| Market segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Release date | 2024-10-09 | 2025-07-29 |

| Launch MSRP | $11852 | $2499 |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores?

A: The AMD EPYC 9655 has 96 cores and 192 threads, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X has 32 cores and 64 threads.

Q: Which processor wins in single-thread performance?

A: The Threadripper 9970X wins both single-thread tests with a score of 4530, against the EPYC's 3847, a 15.1 percent delta.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The EPYC 9655 delivers 576.0 GB/s over a twelve-channel bus, while the Threadripper 9970X provides 204.8 GB/s over a quad-channel bus.

Q: Are both processors on the same architecture?

A: Yes, both are Zen 5 parts on TSMC's 4 nm process, but the EPYC uses 12 dies and the Threadripper uses 4 dies.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The EPYC 9655 has 128 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), while the Threadripper 9970X has 80 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only).

Q: Which processor was released later?

A: The Threadripper 9970X was released on 2025-07-29, while the EPYC 9655 was released on 2024-10-09.