Tuesday, May 30th 2017
AMD Ryzen Threadripper Detailed - Why Intel HEDT is in Trouble
AMD today talked a little more about the Ryzen Threadripper, its upcoming line of HEDT (high-end desktop) processors, which will compete with Intel's recently launched Core i7 and Core i9 X-series processors. The chips will still be launched "later this Summer," and AMD hasn't mentioned models, yet. We know of at least two features which will spell trouble for Intel, and it's not the CPU core performance.
The first of two killer Threadripper features is that it has 64 PCI-Express gen 3.0 lanes across all its models - 12-core and 16-core. This is unlike Intel, where you get 44 (not 64) PCIe lanes to begin with, and those start with the $999 Core i9-7900X ten-core processor. Models below this are relegated to 28 lanes, removing the biggest advantage of the HEDT platform - to be able to run more than one graphics card at full x16 PCIe bandwidth. The second killer Threadripper feature is its memory controller. AMD announced that Quad-channel DDR4 memory will be available across the lineup. This again is unlike Intel, where the Core i5-7640X and Core i7-7740X quad-core LGA2066 chips feature just dual-channel memory. All Threadripper chips further feature 32 MB of shared L3 cache. ASUS, ASRock, GIGABYTE, and MSI are said to be developing Ryzen Threadripper motherboards based on the X399 chipset as we speak.
The first of two killer Threadripper features is that it has 64 PCI-Express gen 3.0 lanes across all its models - 12-core and 16-core. This is unlike Intel, where you get 44 (not 64) PCIe lanes to begin with, and those start with the $999 Core i9-7900X ten-core processor. Models below this are relegated to 28 lanes, removing the biggest advantage of the HEDT platform - to be able to run more than one graphics card at full x16 PCIe bandwidth. The second killer Threadripper feature is its memory controller. AMD announced that Quad-channel DDR4 memory will be available across the lineup. This again is unlike Intel, where the Core i5-7640X and Core i7-7740X quad-core LGA2066 chips feature just dual-channel memory. All Threadripper chips further feature 32 MB of shared L3 cache. ASUS, ASRock, GIGABYTE, and MSI are said to be developing Ryzen Threadripper motherboards based on the X399 chipset as we speak.
90 Comments on AMD Ryzen Threadripper Detailed - Why Intel HEDT is in Trouble
Also, HOLY SHEET, ANOTHER TPU MEMBER!! FROM MY CITY??
1) So many PCIe lanes are completely useless. People generally don't even recommend mounting a SLI 2x setup, let alone a 3x or 4x one. So unless you're rich and you put tons of M.2 and/or U.2 drives, IDK what will you use so many PCIe lanes for (and if you're rich...what are you doing buying an AMD CPU?).
2) Are you REALLY comparing the memory controller from some 16-core, 1000+ bucks CPU with the ones from 4-core, less than 350 ones? Wow, someone here is really an AMD fan.
And 3) I don't care how many cores does it has if their IPC are crap. Games hardly even use 8 cores, and actual consoles have only 8 cores (face it: 99% of the PC market are consoleports). Add to that weak IPC, and by the time that games finally use them they'll be TERRIBLY outdated, and there will be much better options in the market already. So you're basically paying for shooting your own knee today with poor performance compared to other options, and sub-par performance in the future compared to future options.
Final observation: And people complains that Intel "does nothing innovative but to increase core count". /facepalm
They can do it. They can actually beat Intel on pricing and performance. AMD is back again. The small vs the giant. :)
Also, it's essentially a dual CPU package and each has a dual-channel MC. This could be named quad-channel in ideal conditions. In reality it'll be pushing performance down a bit.
This goes on, BTW. 2xCPU Naples server will be called "octa-channel" based on the same mechanism.
The chip has 4094 pin vs intels 2066 of cause it has more lans, i would stay away from intels X299 because i see it dieing off and something with more pins coming out.
In a sense, i agree with kurt. 95% of users are fine with skylake's 20... with sli and an m.2. If you want that and multiple m.2 or dvr card or 10gb ethernet, budget wouldnt seem to be as much of a concern...(specifically with multiple gpus and m.2 nvme drives).
I don't really care. Whoever is interested in their buy won't fall for that. And a fool will always be easily parted from their money.I have two HDDs, three SSDs and a DVD-something (mostly collecting dust, of course) and I can't add another U2 SSD without disabling additional SATA ports. And I don't have spare SATA ports to disable. And if you look at my specs, I'm nowhere near the market for these chips.
Here is your actual lane breakdown...Why not move the hard drives/optical to the unaffected asmedia sata ports?? Wouldnt that free up ports attached to the chipset?
Ps- threadripper isnt going to be cheap either.. i mean, the octo is 500... that 12 core is going to sniff 800+... so, surely it will be cheaper, but not cheap. ;)
You're right on the TIM front though, and what Intel use will be key. Given the situation with the 7700K though, I don't hold out much hope for their new chips to run anything less than HOT without de-lidding.
Was there any mention of whether Threadripper will be soldered or not?
Memory support is better from both mobo makers and amd with their aegsa or whatever microcode updates in those bios....not that dual to quad matters for 99% of people anyway.. moot point...same with memory speed.
...both sides need to get their facts straight. :)
The thread title here though... wtf??? I dont want your (anyones) god damn input... just post the facts, not a bullshhhh opinion that pcie lanes has intel in trouble...