Ryzen 9 5900X vs EPYC 7542

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Aggregate performance score

EPYC 7542
2019
32 cores / 64 threads, 225 Watt
28.33
+15.1%
Ryzen 9 5900X
2020
12 cores / 24 threads, 105 Watt
24.61

EPYC 7542 outperforms Ryzen 9 5900X by a moderate 15% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing EPYC 7542 and Ryzen 9 5900X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking163206
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation5.3232.24
Market segmentServerDesktop processor
SeriesAMD EPYCAMD Ryzen 9
Power efficiency11.9122.17
Architecture codenameZen 2 (2017−2020)Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022)
Release date7 August 2019 (5 years ago)5 November 2020 (4 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$3,400$549

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ryzen 9 5900X has 506% better value for money than EPYC 7542.

Detailed specifications

EPYC 7542 and Ryzen 9 5900X basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores32 (Dotriaconta-Core)12 (Dodeca-Core)
Threads6424
Base clock speed2.9 GHz3.7 GHz
Boost clock speed3.4 GHz4.8 GHz
Multiplier2937
L1 cache96K (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache512K (per core)512K (per core)
L3 cache128 MB (shared)64 MB
Chip lithography7 nm, 14 nm7 nm, 12 nm
Die size192 mm22x 74 mm2(CCD) + 125 mm2 (IOD)
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data95 °C
Number of transistors4,800 million0 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on EPYC 7542 and Ryzen 9 5900X compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration2 (Multiprocessor)1
SocketSP3AM4
Power consumption (TDP)225 Watt105 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by EPYC 7542 and Ryzen 9 5900X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno data86x MMX(+), SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, SSE4A,-64, AMD-V, AES, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, SHA, Precision Boost 2
AES-NI++
AVX++
Precision Boost 2++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by EPYC 7542 and Ryzen 9 5900X are enumerated here.

AMD-V++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by EPYC 7542 and Ryzen 9 5900X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4 Eight-channelDDR4-3200
Maximum memory size4 TiB128 GB
Max memory channels82
Maximum memory bandwidth204.763 GB/s51.196 GB/s
ECC memory support+-

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by EPYC 7542 and Ryzen 9 5900X.

PCIe versionno data4.0

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

EPYC 7542 28.33
+15.1%
Ryzen 9 5900X 24.61

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

EPYC 7542 45003
+15.1%
Ryzen 9 5900X 39097

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

EPYC 7542 1067
Ryzen 9 5900X 2207
+107%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

EPYC 7542 8564
Ryzen 9 5900X 11939
+39.4%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 28.33 24.61
Recency 7 August 2019 5 November 2020
Physical cores 32 12
Threads 64 24
Power consumption (TDP) 225 Watt 105 Watt

EPYC 7542 has a 15.1% higher aggregate performance score, and 166.7% more physical cores and 166.7% more threads.

Ryzen 9 5900X, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 1 year, and 114.3% lower power consumption.

The EPYC 7542 is our recommended choice as it beats the Ryzen 9 5900X in performance tests.

Be aware that EPYC 7542 is a server/workstation processor while Ryzen 9 5900X is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between EPYC 7542 and Ryzen 9 5900X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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AMD EPYC 7542
EPYC 7542
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
Ryzen 9 5900X

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about EPYC 7542 or Ryzen 9 5900X, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.