Intel
Intel Core Ultra 9 395K
Panther Lake · 26C · 6.0 GHz
93
/ 100
From $649
VS
EPYC 9654 wins by 3
AMD
EPYC 9654
Zen 4 · 96C/192T · SP5
96
/ 100
From $11,805
Specdex verdict
EPYC 9654 takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Intel Core Ultra 9 395K lands at 93 and EPYC 9654 at 96. That puts EPYC 9654 ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Intel Core Ultra 9 395K if…
- ✓Latest generation silicon
- ✓Improved perf-per-watt
- ✓Full modern feature set
Pick EPYC 9654 if…
- ✓Massive core counts
- ✓ECC memory support
- ✓Workstation/server-grade platform
Intel Core Ultra 9 395K 93
vs 96 EPYC 9654
Score breakdown
Intel Core Ultra 9 395K
93 single 95
multi 93
gaming 94
efficiency 86
EPYC 9654
96 single 88
multi 96
gaming 76
efficiency 78
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 395K | EPYC 9654 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Panther Lake | Zen 4 |
| Cores | 26 (8P+16E+2LP) | ▲ 96 |
| Threads | 26 | ▲ 192 |
| Socket | LGA1851 | SP5 |
| Release year | 2025 | 2022 |
Intel Core Ultra 9 395K
Pros
- +Latest generation silicon
- +Improved perf-per-watt
- +Full modern feature set
Cons
- −Premium pricing
- −Requires up-to-date platform
- −Initial stock scarcity likely
EPYC 9654
Pros
- +Massive core counts
- +ECC memory support
- +Workstation/server-grade platform
Cons
- −Niche platform, limited motherboards
- −High TDP requires serious cooling
- −Premium price
FAQ: Intel Core Ultra 9 395K vs EPYC 9654
Which is better, Intel Core Ultra 9 395K or EPYC 9654? +
EPYC 9654 scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Intel Core Ultra 9 395K worth the price? +
At $649, Intel Core Ultra 9 395K delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in single.
Is EPYC 9654 worth the price? +
At $11,805, EPYC 9654 delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in multi.
Does Intel Core Ultra 9 395K or EPYC 9654 last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.