AMD EPYC 9745

The AMD EPYC 9745 is a 128-core, 256-thread server processor from the EPYC 9005 series, built on the Zen 5c (Turin) architecture at TSMC's 3nm process. It holds a perfect 100th percentile ranking among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 425973. Released on October 9, 2024, this part carries a launch MSRP of $12141. With a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, it is engineered for massive parallel workloads, not casual desktop use. The data shows a processor that sits at the absolute top of the performance hierarchy, with a locked multiplier and a production status of Active.

Who Should Consider It

The benchmark results paint a clear picture: this is a processor for workloads that scale across an enormous number of threads. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 111093 and Passmark multithread score of 130698 place it in a class where rendering, simulation, and virtualization tasks will see dramatic throughput gains. For content creation, the Passmark integer math score of 1224315 and floating point math score of 761219 indicate strong performance in video encoding, 3D rendering, and scientific computation. Data compression scores 3929890, and encryption scores 229447, making it a natural fit for database servers, file servers, and any environment that handles large data sets. The single-core scores are respectable—Cinebench R23 single-core 15683 and Passmark single-thread 2806—but they are not the primary draw. Gamers and typical office users will find this processor far beyond their needs; it is a server/workstation part. The 128 cores and 256 threads are best utilized by software that scales across many threads, such as batch rendering, financial modeling, and large-scale code compilation. If your workload is single-threaded or lightly threaded, the EPYC 9745 will not show its strengths. The Passmark physics score of 17122 and random string sorting score of 468975 further confirm its suitability for heavy computational tasks. In short, this is for professionals running server-class applications, not for interactive desktop use. The data also shows a Passmark find prime numbers score of 979, which is a lower score relative to the other tests, indicating that the processor's strength lies in parallel integer and floating-point operations rather than sequential prime-finding algorithms.

Power and Thermals

The EPYC 9745 carries a TDP of 400 watts. This is a high-power part, and the cooling tier must be chosen accordingly. A 400W TDP class processor demands a robust cooling solution—typically a high-end liquid cooler or a large server-grade heatsink with high static pressure fans. The 3nm process from TSMC helps manage efficiency, but the sheer core count means heat density is significant. The data does not provide specific cooler dimensions or wattage ratings, but the 400W TDP is a clear signal that standard desktop air coolers will not suffice. In a server chassis, the airflow design must be capable of moving substantial heat away from the socket. For workstation builds, a capable liquid cooling solution or a large tower cooler designed for high-TDP server CPUs is required. The multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not an option, meaning the thermal envelope is fixed at the 400W TDP. This also implies that the power delivery system on the motherboard must be robust, with sufficient VRM phases to handle sustained loads. The data does not list a separate power draw figure, but the TDP of 400W is the definitive thermal design point. Users should plan for a cooling solution that can dissipate this heat continuously, especially under all-core loads, which the benchmark scores suggest will be the norm for this processor.

Platform and Compatibility

The EPYC 9745 uses AMD Socket SP5, which is the platform for the EPYC 9005 series. Memory support is DDR5 with a twelve-channel memory bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 576.0 GB/s. ECC memory is supported, which is essential for server reliability. The processor provides PCIe Gen 5 with 128 lanes (CPU only), offering extensive I/O capability for GPUs, NVMe drives, and network cards. The architecture is Zen 5c (Turin), and the process node is 3nm from TSMC. The cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 256 MB of shared L3 cache. This large L3 cache is beneficial for workloads that share data across cores. The platform supports the EPYC 9005 series, so an upgrade path within the same socket is possible, though the specific motherboard compatibility is not detailed in the data. The part number is 100-000001460, and it is currently in active production. The memory bus is twelve-channel, which is a high-end configuration, and the 128 PCIe lanes allow for massive expansion. For a workstation, this means you can populate multiple high-end GPUs and fast storage without bottlenecking. The socket SP5 is a server-grade socket, so the physical installation requires a server motherboard or a workstation board designed for this platform. The data does not list integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is mandatory for any display output. The memory bandwidth of 576.0 GB/s is a key specification, as it ensures that the 128 cores are fed with data at a rate that prevents starvation.

How It Compares

The EPYC 9745's average benchmark score is 425973, placing it at the 100th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9995WX, which has an average score of 406395. The EPYC 9745 leads by 4.8% in average benchmark score. This is a modest but consistent advantage, indicating that the EPYC 9745 is slightly faster overall in the aggregated benchmark suite. The Threadripper PRO is a workstation-focused part, but the EPYC 9745 still edges it out.

The second rival is the AMD EPYC 9655P, with an average score of 396673. The EPYC 9745 is 7.4% ahead. This gap is more pronounced, suggesting that the 128-core configuration of the 9745 provides a meaningful edge over the 9655P in multi-threaded tasks. The 9655P is a single-socket EPYC, and the 9745's higher core count likely drives this difference.

The third rival is the AMD EPYC 9655, with an average score of 373484. The EPYC 9745 leads by 14.1%. This is a substantial margin, showing that the 9745 outperforms the 9655 by a significant amount in the average benchmark. The 9655 is a dual-socket capable part, but the 9745's raw core count and architecture give it a clear advantage.

The fourth rival is the AMD EPYC 9754, with an average score of 364371. The EPYC 9745 is 16.9