Monday, October 29th 2018

AMD Expands 2nd Generation Ryzen Threadripper Desktop Processor Line-up, Powering Ultimate Computing Experiences, Available Today From $649

[Editor's Note: Our review of the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X is out already, and that of the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX will follow soon after.]

Today, AMD announced availability of two additional 2nd Gen AMD Ryzen Threadripper processor models, 2970WX with 24 cores and 48 threads and the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X with 12 cores and 24 threads. The Ryzen Threadripper WX series commands class-leading core counts, purpose-built for prosumers focused on raw computational power for the heaviest workloads. In turn, Ryzen Threadripper X series provides enthusiasts, gamers, and streamers high performance with a beautiful and smooth gaming experience based on higher base and boost processor clock speeds than the previous generation.

"The dramatic transformation in the HEDT and overall PC market is driven by AMD leadership and innovation, and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper family is central to this global excitement," said Saeid Moshkelani, senior vice president and general manager, Client Compute, AMD. "We are expanding this excitement while also ensuring the HEDT market remains accessible to a broader range of creators and gamers with two new Threadripper processors that start at $649."
Powerhouse for Gaming & Creating
The 24 core/48 thread Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX processor and the 12 core/24 thread Ryzen Threadripper 2920X processor offer unprecedented multi-threading with up to 39% and 55% faster multi-threaded performance compared to the Core i9-7960X and Core i7-7820X respectively. Ryzen Threadripper 2920X also offers simultaneous 4K gaming and 4K30 at 40,000 Kilobit per second (Kbps) encoding, so gamers can stream their gameplay smoothly.

Both the 2970WX and 2920X processors offer up to 32% faster performance in ray-tracing, and 60% faster encryption for creators compared to the Core i9-7960X and Core i7-7820X respectively.

New Features and Holiday Bundles
Designed specifically for Ryzen Threadripper WX processors, a key new feature is Dynamic Local Mode (DLM) software, which optimizes application performance by ensuring the most demanding threads always receive preferential time on cores with local memory. This feature is automatically configured by downloading AMD Ryzen Master on Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX or 2970WX systems. Without requiring any user input, Dynamic Local Mode:
  • measures CPU time of active threads;
  • ranks active threads from most to least demanding;
  • automatically migrates the most demanding threads to dies with local memory access;
  • accelerates lightly-threaded and latency sensitive apps without impact to heavy multi-threaded tasks.
When enabled, Dynamic Local Mode results in an average of 15 percent additional performance for Ryzen Threadripper WX Series CPUs in select applications, including the SPECwpc benchmark and games like PUBG , Far Cry 5, and Alien: Isolation . AMD also plans to open the feature up to even more users by including Dynamic Local Mode as a default package in forthcoming updates to AMD chipset drivers.

All 2nd Gen Ryzen Threadripper CPUs are supported by a full ecosystem of exciting new motherboards as well as existing X399 platforms with a simple BIOS update, with designs already available from top motherboard manufacturers including ASRock, ASUS, Gigabyte, and MSI. During the holiday 2018 period, these motherboard manufacturers are offering bundles starting from $199 when paired with Ryzen Threadripper CPUs. For more information on bundle programs, please visit the motherboard manufacturers' websites.

Both the 24 core/48 thread Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX and 12 core/24 thread 2920X models are available today from global retailers. Exciting pre-built SI systems are available from various global partners, and a complete list of participating partners, retailers, and launch information can be found at https://www.amd.com/en/where-to-buy/threadripper-systems.

Alienware Area-51 Threadripper Edition systems will now offer the 2nd Gen Ryzen Threadripper Edition processors. The new Alienware Area-51 with its iconic design will now include AMD's powerful 16-core Ryzen Threadripper 2950X and 12-core Ryzen Threadripper 2920X. In addition, Alienware will expand their Area 51 R7 portfolio to include the 8-core Ryzen Threadripper 1900X.

"The partnership with AMD continues to thrive with the inclusion of the 2nd Gen Ryzen Threadripper CPU in our 12 and 16-core Alienware Area-51, our flagship Alienware desktop built for exceptional gaming performance with mega-tasking capabilities," said Frank Azor, Vice President and General Manager, Alienware, G Series, and XPS. "Following the success of the original AMD Threadripper edition, the 2nd Gen Ryzen Threadripper will continue to allow our community to game, stream and create with the performance and quality the Alienware brand represents."
Source: AMD
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15 Comments on AMD Expands 2nd Generation Ryzen Threadripper Desktop Processor Line-up, Powering Ultimate Computing Experiences, Available Today From $649

#1
silentbogo
It's an excellent time to start selling all of my toys and build a new workstation.
Posted on Reply
#2
Unregistered
silentbogoSo, the speculation about 32c/64t was correct after all!
Actually, it's already launched, It launched quite a while ago.
www.amd.com/en/products/cpu/amd-ryzen-threadripper-2990wx
www.ebuyer.com/856741-amd-ryzen-threadripper-2990wx-32-core-processor-yd299xazafwof?mkwid=s_dc&pcrid=51482416859&pkw=&pmt=&gclid=CjwKCAjw39reBRBJEiwAO1m0OX-lTwHY5X-Db8Hf-WDDhgFj-2DdvlZhOiwQvOtioQbU0FbFYpXn_RoC4WUQAvD_BwE
The 2950x is a better deal though until they fix windows performance with the 2990wx.
Posted on Edit | Reply
#3
silentbogo
Xx Tek Tip xXActually, it's already launched, It launched quite a while ago.
Sry. Re-edited my post: didn't keep up with news as close as I wanted. 2990WX barely started to appear in my area.
Though, the price is almost doubled comparing to US MSRP.... Gotta ask my relatives to send one over (or maybe wait for 16-core AM4 piece, cause I already have all other parts for a build).


BTW, Phoronix already has reviews:
www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=amd-2920x-2970wx&num=1
Posted on Reply
#4
Unregistered
silentbogoThough, the price is almost doubled comparing to US MSRP.... Gotta ask my relatives to send one over (or maybe wait for 16-core AM4 piece, cause I already have all other parts for a build).
Depends on your workload - Do you NEED the pci lanes? The more expensive motherboards? Threadripper is amazing, but if you can't utilize the core count it's not worth it - As for the am4 having 16 cores, that's speculation, I personally see the next HCC ryzen being a 12 core unit using 2 6 core ccx modules on 7nm, which will be around 2020, That would be your best bet since it'll be a tank in gaming and productivity.
Posted on Edit | Reply
#5
silentbogo
Xx Tek Tip xX, I personally see the next HCC ryzen being a 12 core unit using 2 6 core ccx modules on 7nm, which will be around 2020, That would be your best bet since it'll be a tank in gaming and productivity.
I think when it comes to gaming, I'm still happy with my i3+GTX1060 rig ))
Just need a workstation capable of running 4-5 VMs (4c/8t each) to simulate our network, so I can tweak and adjust things faster and with no risk. I can build a bunch of cheap PCs to do it, but that's just a pain in the ass that will occupy half of my workspace.
Plus it'll be the first HEDT machine I'm gonna build since LGA1366
Posted on Reply
#6
Unregistered
silentbogoJust need a workstation capable of running 4-5 VMs (4c/8t each) to simulate our network, so I can tweak and adjust things faster and with no risk. I can build a bunch of cheap PCs to do it, but that's just a pain in the ass that will occupy half of my workspace.
Awesome, sounds like you'll need those cores haha.
Posted on Edit | Reply
#7
c12038
I see no 5ghz+ CPUs yet you would think with this 2nd gen Threadripper it would have 5+ghz core speeds but no AMD are playing safe as usual.
Posted on Reply
#8
Unregistered
c12038I see no 5ghz+ CPUs yet you would think with this 2nd gen Threadripper it would have 5+ghz core speeds but no AMD are playing safe as usual.
Wrong thread kid? This is a productivity cpu suited to using tons of cores, not single threaded workloads- Clock speeds aren't everything and don't magically improve between generations it's the architecture that's the most important.
Posted on Edit | Reply
#9
c12038
If so why do we see people overclocking with LN2 and posting the results or is this all for show, Yeah it does improve between generation as technology grows so does the need for speed as in processing mathematical equations that take up CPU time so if you have a fast multi core then the equations is done faster which saves money and time in developing new medicines and technology.

The architecture has never changed sine the first 286 and 186 CPUs with the addition of 64bit processing which only happened around 30yrs ago with ARM CPUs.

Take a look at the old Apple systems far more advance in there time than the X86 systems of that era the forefront of modern CPUs is the FX range from AMD with its new layer strata
Posted on Reply
#10
dorsetknob
"YOUR RMA REQUEST IS CON-REFUSED"
c12038The architecture has never changed sine the first 286 and 186 CPUs with the addition of 64bit processing which only happened around 30yrs ago with ARM CPUs.
:) Think you ment to say AMD ARM have only done 64 bit since >2015
Posted on Reply
#11
Unregistered
c12038If so why do we see people overclocking with LN2 and posting the results or is this all for show, Yeah it does improve between generation as technology grows so does the need for speed as in processing mathematical equations that take up CPU time so if you have a fast multi core then the equations is done faster which saves money and time in developing new medicines and technology.
Your confused, Between generations the performance doesn't move from clock speeds, your whining about it not being 5ghz+, are you an intel fanboy by any chance? And don't use "FX" as an example, it's a pile of crap.
Posted on Edit | Reply
#12
dorsetknob
"YOUR RMA REQUEST IS CON-REFUSED"
c12038Take a look at the old Apple systems far more advance in there time than the X86 systems of that era
Apple gave up on their Motorola Risc Processor because they hit the performance wall.
That's why they went Intel
Posted on Reply
#13
mcraygsx
Introduction of Dynamic Local Mode is the best thing AMD has done for their WX lineup. This should be a standard features build in OS itself when handling this many cores.
Posted on Reply
#14
EatingDirt
c12038I see no 5ghz+ CPUs yet you would think with this 2nd gen Threadripper it would have 5+ghz core speeds but no AMD are playing safe as usual.
These are Zen+ Threadrippers, not Zen 2, and are limited by the 12nm process they're fabricated on. Additionally, you can't buy a 5+ghz 12+ core CPU anywhere, they don't exist.
Posted on Reply
#15
TheLaughingMan
I like that boost clock on the TR 2950X of 4.4 GHz. That is pretty good clock speed for AMD right now. I have high hopes for the Ryzen 3K series now.
Posted on Reply
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