Thursday, October 17th 2019

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X a 24-core Chip the Range Starts With

With its 3rd generation Ryzen Threadripper "Castle Peak" HEDT processor family, AMD isn't bothering with 16-core models as the company's mainstream desktop socket AM4 platform already offers those many cores with the upcoming Ryzen 9 3950X. The lineup will begin with the Ryzen Threadripper 3960X, which is the 24-core/48-thread part. The model number "3950X" is already taken up by the 16-core socket AM4 chip. Confirmation of this came from an "Ashes of the Singularity" screenshot that references an "AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X 24-core Processor."

AMD's decision to start the lineup at 24 cores is interesting, as it looks to keep up its competitiveness against Intel, which recently launched its 10th generation "Cascade Lake-X" Core i9 HEDT processor series, with all parts priced under $1000, including the range-topping 18-core/36-thread one. It remains to be seen if the Threadripper 3960X can beat it while holding onto a sub-$1,000 price. The previous-generation 24-core 2970WX beat the i9-9980XE in some rendering and simulation tests that scaled with cores and which weren't too heavy on memory bandwidth. With its 3rd generation Threadripper series, AMD is eliminating a key memory bottleneck, giving each core on the chip an equal access to the processor's monolithic quad-channel memory interface.
The 3rd generation Ryzen Threadripper processor is expected to launch alongside the new AMD TRX40 chipset this November. Many reports suggest that the platform will herald a new socket based on the "SP3r3" specification. Older Threadrippers won't work on TRX40 motherboards, and 3rd gen chips won't work on older X399 boards. The TRX40 chipset will extensively implement PCI-Express gen 4.0, offering more x16 slots, M.2 slots, and x1 slots running at gen 4.0 speeds.
Source: TUM_APISAK (Twitter)
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34 Comments on AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X a 24-core Chip the Range Starts With

#1
phill
Can't wait for the reviews :D :D
Posted on Reply
#2
Crowley
These are all rumors but it is interesting that nothing abut specs have come out

Source: wccftech.com/amd-ryzen-threadripper-3960x-24-core-48-thread-7nm-zen-2-cpu-confirmed/

AMD 3rd Gen Ryzen Threadripper Processor SKUs (Rumored):
CPU NameCPU CoresCPU ThreadCPU PredecessorBase ClockBoost ClockCacheTDPPrice
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X/WX64 Core128 ThreadAMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX (32 Core / 64 Thread)TBDTBDTBD~280W$1799 US?
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3980X/WX48 Core96 ThreadN/ATBDTBDTBD~280W$1499 US?
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X/WX32 Core64 ThreadAMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX (24 Core / 48 Thread)TBDTBDTBD~250W$1299 US?
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X24 Core48 ThreadN/ATBDTBDTBD~250W$999 US?
Posted on Reply
#4
john_
xkm1948RIP X399
People who just need CPUs with many cores, will be buing 16 core 2nd gen Threadrippers and motherboards for peanuts.
Posted on Reply
#5
Ripper3
john_People who just need CPUs with many cores, will be buing 16 core 2nd gen Threadrippers and motherboards for peanuts.
X399 and Threadripper 2 processors might be the replacement for some people's i7 9x0 builds, which have lasted an extremely long time, while still being quick enough for their needs. Personally, I'm going to invest in an X399 build, if I can gather the money, and keep it for as long as possible. My Phenom II X6 has lasted this long, and only now needs replacing, so hoping for similar from a TR2.
Posted on Reply
#6
dj-electric
*raises hand*

what if someone likes the platform's connectivity but wants a 16 or even a 12 core CPU?
How do you name those? did AMD screw themselves by naming the 24 core 3960X?
Maybe 3955X and 3905X? idk...
Posted on Reply
#7
ZoneDymo
dj-electric*raises hand*

what if someone likes the platform's connectivity but wants a 16 or even a 12 core CPU?
How do you name those? did AMD screw themselves by naming the 24 core 3960X?
The naming scheme is.... well stupid tbh.
3700x 8 core
3800x 8 core but "more overclockable"
3900x 12 cores
39...50?x 16 cores...

should have been 3700x - 3750x - 3800x - 3900x

anywho, screwed themselves? who says they are planning to launch a 12 or 16 core cpu for the new TR platform?
Posted on Reply
#8
dj-electric
ZoneDymoanywho, screwed themselves? who says they are planning to launch a 12 or 16 core cpu for the new TR platform?
That would be very unfortunate, as many users can absolutely settle for a 12\16 core part just to have all the IO for other stuff, for uses that are not particularly CPU-intensive and can do just fine with those. Deep learning machines for small to medium businesses come to mind. So far they are serious consumers of HEDT parts because of ease of deployment.
Posted on Reply
#9
xkm1948
john_People who just need CPUs with many cores, will be buing 16 core 2nd gen Threadrippers and motherboards for peanuts.
I was talking about the folks who paid a hefty price for a 2990WX and an expensive X399 board now left with no upgrade path. The NUMA issue has never been resolved for 2990WX by either AMD or Microsoft on Win10. I was hoping at least there would be an upgrade path.

And yeah guess according to your comment those 2990WX and X399 board's resale value also gonna drop. :(

TBH I was hoping for more from AMD.
Posted on Reply
#10
ZoneDymo
xkm1948I was talking about the folks who paid a hefty price for a 2990WX and an expensive X399 board now left with no upgrade path. The NUMA issue has never been resolved for 2990WX by either AMD or Microsoft on Win10. I was hoping at least there would be an upgrade path.

And yeah guess according to your comment those 2990WX and X399 board's resale value also gonna drop. :(

TBH I was hoping for more from AMD.
Same, as I suggested before, while they never promised to maintain X399 that long, it would have been nice if they at least made 1 processor based on the new tech for X399 so those adopters can at least upgrade to that.
Posted on Reply
#11
SRB151
Two things, I've read a couple of stories that claim there will be a 16 core part, just not at introduction, and second, unless the sell the 24 core part for under $1000, they're going to wind up automatically give the entry HEDT market to Intel as the sole option. If it is under $1000, and performance is anywhere near as big an improvement as the Ryzen cpus, they're going to be leaving money on the table as well. Still don't understand why Epyc would be backwards compatible and TR not with x399.
Posted on Reply
#12
IceShroom
ZoneDymoThe naming scheme is.... well stupid tbh.
3700x 8 core
3800x 8 core but "more overclockable"
3900x 12 cores
39...50?x 16 cores...

should have been 3700x - 3750x - 3800x - 3900x

anywho, screwed themselves? who says they are planning to launch a 12 or 16 core cpu for the new TR platform?
Why confusing. One is Ryzen Rx line the other is Ryzen Threadripper like. It will be confusing to people who are not paying proper attention to AMD lineup.
Posted on Reply
#13
The Egg
You guys are trying to understand a marketing department. For a tech company.

Good luck.
Posted on Reply
#14
Lorec
phillCan't wait for the reviews :D :D
lets hope for low TDP :roll:
Posted on Reply
#15
john_
xkm1948I was talking about the folks who paid a hefty price for a 2990WX and an expensive X399 board now left with no upgrade path. The NUMA issue has never been resolved for 2990WX by either AMD or Microsoft on Win10. I was hoping at least there would be an upgrade path.

And yeah guess according to your comment those 2990WX and X399 board's resale value also gonna drop. :(

TBH I was hoping for more from AMD.
I believe people who buy CPUs like the 2990WX see benchmarks before buying, so they can verify that those processors are good for them. If they wheren't they probably gone for another solution. EPYC, Xeon, a 16 core TR or an 18 core HEDT Intel. People who let others chose for them, because they didn't had the knowledge and time to find out if that CPU was justified, those are the real losers. But hey, that happens everywhere and everyday and with every product, not just CPUs.

The 2990WX was a nice marketing trick. It's value was questionable the day it came out and it's value was going to drop anyway with the new AMD series of CPUs. Intel's desision to drop it's "new" HEDT line at half the price, also didn't helped with 2990WX's valuation.
Posted on Reply
#16
Ripper3
IceShroomWhy confusing. One is Ryzen Rx line the other is Ryzen Threadripper like. It will be confusing to people who are not paying proper attention to AMD lineup.
I agree with @ZoneDymo here, the naming scheme is a little confusing, but as @The Egg said, we're trying to understand a marketing department.
Think the main problem is they've squeezed the numbers together too much. It "feels" too "squished" in my head, like they're implying there's little difference between a 12-core 3900X and a 24-core 3960X.
Posted on Reply
#17
ZoneDymo
IceShroomWhy confusing. One is Ryzen Rx line the other is Ryzen Threadripper like. It will be confusing to people who are not paying proper attention to AMD lineup.
I literally posted in the comment you are replying to what makes it confusing.
Sure you can just learn it, you can just accept it as it is, but that does not mean it makes a ton of sense.
Why does the 3800 warrant the 100 number jump over the 3700?
Its both 8 cores, all the 3800 is suppose to do is clock a bit higher (though in practice that does not seem to be the case but whatever)
3600(x) 6 cores
3700(x) 8 cores
3800(x) still 8 cores?
3900(x) 12 cores
39...50?(x) 16 cores?

So we do a 100 jump for the same cores but "more overclockablity"
and later for an actual increase in cores we just jump the name up by 50?

Thats why it makes more sense to have that reversed:
3600 6 cores
3700 8 cores
3750 8 cores but more overclockable
3800 12 cores
3900 16 cores.
Loreclets hope for low TDP :roll:
considering that number is completely made up by both parties it might as well have a low tdp
Posted on Reply
#18
T1beriu
CrowleyThese are all rumors but it is interesting that nothing abut specs have come out

Source: wccftech.com/amd-ryzen-threadripper-3960x-24-core-48-thread-7nm-zen-2-cpu-confirmed/

AMD 3rd Gen Ryzen Threadripper Processor SKUs (Rumored):
CPU NameCPU CoresCPU ThreadCPU PredecessorBase ClockBoost ClockCacheTDPPrice
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X/WX64 Core128 ThreadAMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX (32 Core / 64 Thread)TBDTBDTBD~280W$1799 US?
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3980X/WX48 Core96 ThreadN/ATBDTBDTBD~280W$1499 US?
EPYC 1S 32c is $2300
EPYC 1S 48c has no SKU
EPYC 1S 64 is $4300.

There's no way 32, 48 and 64-core TR will cost $1300, $1500 and $1800. That's crazy thinking

TR 32c will be around $1800
TR 48c will be around $2500
TR 64c will be around $3300

AMD isn't crazy to sell 64c TR at a third of the price of EPYC. 32,48 and 64c TR's will be aimed at workstation CPUs, competing with Xeon-W 3000 which are priced at $7500 for the top 28-core model.
Posted on Reply
#19
IceShroom
ZoneDymoI literally posted in the comment you are replying to what makes it confusing.
Sure you can just learn it, you can just accept it as it is, but that does not mean it makes a ton of sense.
Why does the 3800 warrant the 100 number jump over the 3700?
Its both 8 cores, all the 3800 is suppose to do is clock a bit higher (though in practice that does not seem to be the case but whatever)
3600(x) 6 cores
3700(x) 8 cores
3800(x) still 8 cores?
3900(x) 12 cores
39...50?(x) 16 cores?

So we do a 100 jump for the same cores but "more overclockablity"
and later for an actual increase in cores we just jump the name up by 50?

Thats why it makes more sense to have that reversed:
3600 6 cores
3700 8 cores
3750 8 cores but more overclockable
3800 12 cores
3900 16 cores.



considering that number is completely made up by both parties it might as well have a low tdp
You are forgetting there are R3/5/7/9 and Threadripper infront of those number. Like Ryzen 5 2600/3600 and Ryzen Threadripper 2950X/2990WX.
There is no AMD 3600 or 2950X.
Posted on Reply
#20
ZoneDymo
IceShroomYou are forgetting there are R3/5/7/9 and Threadripper infront of those number. Like Ryzen 5 2600/3600 and Ryzen Threadripper 2950X/2990WX.
There is no AMD 3600 or 2950X.
Im not talking about threadripper vs ryzen
Posted on Reply
#21
IceShroom
ZoneDymoIm not talking about threadripper vs ryzen
Then where is the confusion???
Posted on Reply
#22
phill
Loreclets hope for low TDP :roll:
I'm not sure it'll be a crunching CPU to be honest unless you like a lot of watts draw from the wall!! :laugh: That said, 128 threads from one CPU? Who might care at that point? Amazing feat if you ask me :)
Posted on Reply
#23
Tomorrow
btarunrAMD isn't bothering with 16-core models as the company's mainstream desktop socket AM4 platform already offers those many cores with the upcoming Ryzen 9 3950X
Wrong:
CPK DT Ryzen Threadripper 280W SP3R3 (16C)

It's not just about core counts. TR also offers other benefits.
Posted on Reply
#24
notb
john_But hey, that happens everywhere and everyday and with every product, not just CPUs.
I'm starting to wonder if there exist any scenario or situation when you'd stop defending AMD. :D

Ryzen 3000 work on first-gen AM4 motherboards, so there's no reason why TR 3000 wouldn't work on first-gen TR4 motherboards.
AMD is doing the exact same thing that Intel's being so criticized all the time for on this forum.

Seriously, some people here should just practice self-respect. :o
Posted on Reply
#25
candle_86
Ripper3I agree with @ZoneDymo here, the naming scheme is a little confusing, but as @The Egg said, we're trying to understand a marketing department.
Think the main problem is they've squeezed the numbers together too much. It "feels" too "squished" in my head, like they're implying there's little difference between a 12-core 3900X and a 24-core 3960X.
There likey isnt much difference except in a very narrow range of software. Your average user wouldn't feel a difference between an 8 core a 64core cpu
Posted on Reply
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