According to Tom's Hardware, today we are finding out that AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7000 series processors, codenamed Storm Peak, including Pro and non-Pro SKUs, blow a fuse on the chip when overclocking is enabled. Modern microprocessors have dozens of fuses that are used to store information inside the chip. For example, the factory stores the per-processor default voltage information in the fuses. On downgraded graphics chips, the shaders get disabled through such fuses, too. These fuses are not like your household circuit breakers—they will blow only when a specific command is sent to the processor, there is no way for them to break accidentally through system crashes or power spikes. In the case of Ryzen Threadripper 7000, the BIOS code will blow a fuse when the user enables overclocking in the BIOS settings, it reacts only to the user-initiated UI change, not to any kind of measurement. Before that happens a warning is shown. AMD uses this mechanism to see any indications if any kind of overclocking has been done to the processor.

While the messaging might suggest otherwise, just enabling overclocking does not void all warranties. In a statement to Tom's Hardware an AMD representative confirmed: "Threadripper 7000 Series processors do contain a fuse that is blown when overclocking is enabled. To be clear, blowing this fuse does not void your warranty. Statements that enabling an overclocking/overvolting feature will "void" the processor warranty are not correct. Per AMD's standard Terms of Sale, the warranty excludes any damage that results from overclocking/overvolting the processor. However, other unrelated issues could still qualify for warranty repair/replacement," noted the spokesperson. Ultimately, overclocking and overvolting by themselves will not cause the owner of AMD's Ryzen Threadripper 7000 series CPU to lose the right to repair and seek AMD's help. Other factors, such as damages induced by overclocking, will be a warranty-voiding factor though. These can occur from constant overheating, which significantly lowers the life expectancy of the CPU.

AMD is expected to launch its Ryzen Threadripper 7000 series processors soon, and we have basic specs of the lineup. Apparently there are two distinct classes of Threadripper processors, similar to the Threadripper 3000 series—one caters to the HEDT segment, and is based on the new AMD Socket TRX5, and the other caters to the workstation market under the Threadripper PRO 7000WX series, and uses a derivative of Socket SP5. There are as many as 7 processor models, all of which are based on the latest AMD "Zen 4" microarchitecture.

The HEDT lineup (Socket TRX5), includes the Ryzen Threadripper 7960X (100-100001352WOF), the Threadripper 7970X (100-100001351WOF), and the Threadripper 7980X (100-100001350WOF). The 7960X is a 24-core/48-thread processor with a maximum boost frequency of 5.30 GHz, and 152 MB of total cache (L2+L3). The 7970X is a 32-core/64-thread model with the same 5.30 GHz maximum boost frequency, and 160 MB of total cache. Leading the pack is the 7980X, a 64-core/128-thread processor that tops out at 5.10 GHz boost, and with 320 MB of total cache. All three models in the HEDT series come with a TDP of 350 W.

A trio of allegedly official presentation slides appeared on X yesterday, posted by Underfox3—the leaker stopped short of revealing the origin of this material. They simply commented: "AMD Threadripper Pro is coming...🔥." The next generation HEDT processor family is expected to arrive in the fall, and the opening slide pretty much confirms this launch window (starting September 22—autumnal equinox). There has been a noticeable uptick in Zen 4 "Storm Peak" 7000-series pre-release units appearing online lately—so the timing seems plausible. Text segments do not mention the 7000-series in specifics, but an IHS render visible on the second slide looks somewhat similar—in shape—to a grey market-listed Threadripper Pro 7985WX. VideoCardz has compiled various leaked SKUs into a chart (see below).

A very general claim is made on the second slide—boasting a 20% performance increase over their Threadripper Pro 5000 series—but detailed information (prowess in single or multi-core tests) or in-depth benchmark results are not included. VideoCardz surmises from an interpretation of the third slide—noting: "support for 96 cores, marking a 50% boost over the TR PRO 5000 series. This suggests that the 20% improvement likely pertains to the single-core Zen 4 boost." The final slide also shows said 96-core Threadripper Pro processor tipped against Intel's Xeon W9-3495X CPU (a 56-core Sapphire Rapids candidate)—the former is said to produce 75% more renders per day. Per frame completion time is 657 second versus 1125 seconds (respectively).

A pair of Dell Precision workstations have been tested in SiSoftware's Sandra benchmark suite—database entries for the 7875 Tower (Dell 00RP38) and 7875 Tower (Dell 00RP38) reveal specifications of next generation AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro CPUs. The 32 core 7975WX model was outed a couple of weeks ago, but the Sandra benchmark database has been updated with additional scores. Its newly leaked sibling is getting a lot of attention—the recently benchmarked 7995WX sample appears to possess 96 Zen 4 cores, and 192 threads (via SMT) with a 5.14 GHz maximum single-core boost clock. Tom's Hardware is intrigued by benchmark data showing that the CPU has: "a 3.2 GHz all-core turbo frequency."

There are 12 CCDs onboard, with a combined total of 384 MB of L3 cache (each CCD has access to 32 MB of L3)—therefore Wccftech believes that "this chip is based on the Genoa SP5 die and will adopt the top 8-channel and SP5 socket platform. The chip also features 96 MB of L2 cache and the top clock speed was reported at 5.14 GHz." The repeat benched Ryzen Threadripper Pro 7975WX CPU is slightly less exciting—with 32 Zen 4 cores, 64 threads, 128 MB of L3 cache, and 32 MB of L2 cache. According to older information, this model is believed to have a TDP rating of 350 W and apparent clock speeds peaking at 4.0 GHz—Wccftech reckons that this frequency reflects an all-core boost. They have produced a bunch of comparative performance charts and further analysis—well worth checking out.

AMD's Zen 4 high-end desktop (HEDT) family could be closing in on a launch window—AsRock's European office has registered a number of motherboards with the EEC, and KOMACHI_ENSAKA spotted a model sporting a TRX50 chipset sitting in the middle of mainstream gaming Lightning and Riptide offerings. The "TRX50 WS" seems to be the first sighting of an AMD Threadripper 7000 "Storm Peak" series workstation board. TRX50 is presumably the logical successor to Team Red's existing TRX40 platform—the latter supports third generation (Zen 3) Ryzen Threadripper 5000 "Chagall" processors. AMD has not publicly published any details regarding next-gen Threadripper and Threadripper Pro product lineups, but several leaks have pointed to the new HEDT platform arriving within the second half of 2023.

A mid-August Geekbench database entry outed the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7995WX—this 96 core/192 thread CPU scored 2095 points in single-core tests, and 81408 multi-core points—these results have it positioned as one of the fastest processors submitted to Geekbench. The test system was running Geekbench v5.5 for Linux (Ubuntu 22.04 LTS). It is speculated that four (or more) models could be released with differing core counts: 16, 32, 64 and 96—please refer to the VideoCardz authored chart (below). Past rumors have SP5 and SP6 socket types linked to the "Storm Peak" family, with the introduction of DDR5 memory standard to Threadripper.

Hardware tipster momomo_us has once again discovered unannounced AMD gear - today's tweet points to a pair of Ryzen Threadripper 7000 CPU families. Team Red's "Storm Peak" processors received some attention at the tail end of May, thanks to CPUID releasing version 2.06 of CPU-Z which contained newly updated "preliminary support" for the Ryzen Threadripper 7000 series. Industry experts anticipate that this Zen 4-based product range will shake up the workstation and HEDT markets upon arrival - with predictions of a Q3 2023 launch window. According to the leaked listings posted by momomo_us on social media—future workstation PCs will be catered for with AMD's PRO "79x5WX" family, and HEDT systems will be best served by non-PRO "79x0X" variants.

Prior leaks allege that the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7905WX "workstation" range will be compatible with AMD's SP5 socket. This high end platform should support 8-channel DDR5 memory, and be capable of running up to 128 PCIe Gen 5 lanes and 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, although it lacks CPU and memory overclocking functions. In contrast the Ryzen Threadripper 7900X HEDT range is expected to offer full overclocking support for CPU and memory—but tipsters reckon its appeal could be limited by the platform's SP6 socket being restricted to 4-channel DDR5 memory configurations and a maximum 64 PCIe Gen 5.0 lanes—as seen on AMD's EPYC 8004 "Siena" family.

CPUID recently released version 2.06 of the globally popular free CPU-Z utility which includes updates to support reporting of a variety of recent or obscure CPU and GPU models. Intel's "Alder Lake-N", AMD's recently released "Dragon Range" mobile Zen 4 processors, Zhoaxin's KH-40000 and KX-6000G, and of course NVIDIA's RTX 4060 Ti as well as AMD's RX 7600. Most interesting of all is a small addition down at the very bottom of the list, "Preliminary support for AMD Storm Peak platform." "Storm Peak" is AMD's yet to be announced Ryzen Threadripper 7000 series which will feature "Zen 4" and hopefully heat up competition in the HEDT market. No detailed specifications or information on SKUs have been released yet with "Storm Peak" expected to receive a proper announcement sometime in Q3 2023. The mention on CPU-Z suggests that the platform is nearing market readiness, and possibly that the folks at CPUID have been seeded samples or specifications to prepare with. Threadripper 7000 is expected to be released on yet another new socket, TR5, and has been rumored to be coming in both HEDT and workstation variants.

Intel brought competition to the HEDT market for the first time in nearly 4 years with the release of their Sapphire Rapids Xeon W range of processors back in February. Xeon W features unlocked SKUs tackling AMD's Threadripper 5000 series from top to bottom; going as high as the 56-core Xeon w9-3495X at a blistering $5,889 USD to as low as ~$1,000 USD for the 12-core Xeon w5-2455X. Intel also interspersed some lower cost locked SKUs to allow system integrators to offer the new platform as workstations to the prosumer market that generally cares little about overclocking. With Intel competing directly with Threadripper again it was expected that it wouldn't be long before AMD would be cooking up a response with their latest and greatest.

AMD is preparing a rather late counter to the Xeon W-2400 and W-3400 series "Sapphire Rapids" workstation platform with the Threadripper 7000 series and the Socket TR5 platform, in the second half of 2023, according to an ASUS product manager. While high core-count Threadripper Pro 5000WX processors still offer performance competitive to the latest Xeon W processors, the Intel platform offers the latest I/O, including support for faster DDR5 memory and PCIe Gen 5. The expectation with the Threadripper 7000 "Storm Peak" series is to increase CPU core IPC with the switch to "Zen 4," and introduce support for the latest DDR5 and PCIe Gen 5.

AMD's delay in releasing the Threadripper 7000 series has to do with the company wanting to push more high-margin EPYC "Genoa" processors to its large enterprise customers first; and possibly to take the time to redraw its platform to better counter the sub-classification Intel introduced within its Xeon W family, where the W-2400 series is targeted more toward the HEDT consumer, with its 4-channel memory and 64-lane PCIe interface; while the W-3400 series with its 8-channel memory interface, targets serious workstation use-cases; while both processors share a common socket and chipset. AMD could take a similar approach to the TR5 platform.

AMD won't release its Ryzen Threadripper 7000WX "Storm Peak" workstation processors any time before September 2023, suggests a reliable source with AMD leaks. The push to Q3 probably has to do with giving AMD enough "Zen 4" CCD volumes to ship high-margin EPYC "Genoa" server processors first, before the company can turn its attention to the HEDT and workstation markets.

While all indications are that AMD give the "Zen 4" Threadripper a similar treatment this generation as it did with the "Zen 3," by confining it to the workstation segment with only Threadripper 7000WX SKUs that could be OEM-exclusives before crawling their way to the retail market; the source has an interesting theory, that the company could even target the client HEDT market with these chips. The company will also adequately segment the Threadripper 7000WX SKUs apart from EPYC "Genoa" processors.

AMD will build "Zen 4" based Ryzen Threadripper processors in an attempt to meet competition from Intel, which is rumored to launch HEDT processors of its own based on "Sapphire Rapids." While Intel's chip tops out at 60-core/120-thread and has a constellation of task-specific hardware-accelerators, AMD will arm its processors with raw CPU core-count, going as high up as 96-core/192-thread. The company has assigned the codename "Storm Peak" for these chips.

The Ryzen Threadripper 7000-series "Storm Peak" processor engineering samples surfaced on the Einstein@Home user database. As many as three OPNs have surfaced, "AMD Eng Sample: 100-000000884-21_N" and "AMD Eng Sample: 100-000000884-20_Y," which are 96-core/192-thread; and the "AMD Eng Sample: 100-000000454-20_Y," which is 64-core/128-thread. "Storm Peak" is likely just a variation of EPYC "Genoa," geared for higher frequencies.