AMD Ryzen Threadripper (REVIEWS AND TESTS)

Specifications, Price and Comparison Ryzen Threadripper with Competitors

Model	Threadripper 1900X	Intel Core i7-7820X	Threadripper 1920X	Intel Core i9-7900X	Threadripper 1950X	Intel Core i9-7920X
Number of cores / threads	8/16	8/16	12/24	10/20	16/32	12/24
Basic frequency	3.8 GHz	3.6 GHz	3.5 GHz	3.3	3.4 GHz	2.9 GHz
Boost frequency	4.0 GHz	4.3 GHz	4.0 GHz	4.3	4.0 GHz	4.3 GHz
Hyper-Threading
Integrated graphics
L3 Cache	16 MB	11 MB	32MB	13.75	32MB	16.5 MB
Number of PCI-E 3.0 lines	64	28	64	44	64	44
Unlocked multiplier
TDP	180 W	140 W	180 W	140 W	180W	140 W
IHS brazed chip
Selling price	14 590 CZK	14 990 Kč	21 990 Kč	24 990 Kč	26 790Kč	29 990 Kč

All you need to know about AMD Ryzen Threadripper

You might be surprised that they did not even plan like Skylake-X and Kaby Lake-X , so there was no plan for the Threadripper. This was basically the result of the success of the small Ryzen processors when Intel reacted to them with the X299 platform and AMD simply responded. Skylake-X is based on server Xeon processors, and Threadripper is based on server EPYC chips. The whole situation has "gotten out of the chain" this year and it's good. Intel has a competition that it can no longer ignore, and we, customers, have finally to choose from, both on a small and a large platform.

Processor AMD Ryzen Threadripper X399 chipset

The slave you are seeing frankly boasts of one thing and a bit of a racket. The words on the left are meant to get the full capacity of what the chip offers. No cropped (factory-off) PCIe lines, DDR channels, and more. What the Threadripper can do will get it. One thing, however, is not mentioned in the slider, and that is the number of cores. It has already come to the conclusion that Threadripper = EPYC (server variant), and so speculation has been refuted that the chip contains so-called dummy kernels. Threadripper 1950X contains 32 kernels, but half of them are unavailable.

AM4 vs. sTR4

If you are wondering what is the difference between AMD Ryzen and AMD Ryzen Threadripper, see the answer. Threadripper, as a user-friendly version of the EPYC server, offers far more options than the classic Ryzen. Threadripper currently has a maximum of 16 kernels with 32 working threads, better USB and SATA connectivity, and has multiple PCIe lines and double DDR4 memory channels. The sTR4 platform therefore appears to be a better base for a "gaming" PC with more than one graphics card, but also provides a solid foundation for workflows. If time allows, I plan to compare this and 2066 platform with Intel . However, since it is clear that you are headed around, and you probably can not imagine what you can do for so many PCIe lines, such connectivity and all other dispositions, let's take a look at the sample solution of what the sTR4 platform can do with AMD Ryzen Threadripper processors to offer.

Configuration for creatives

AMD has chosen the most shattered ASUS ROG ZENITH EXTREME board in my presentation, which I tested for you and wrote a review. You can see an exemplary configuration for this creative. The DIMM.2 slot, which can be mounted on both sides by the M.2 disk, offers an extremely fast space for data handling. Thanks to the full number of PCIe lines, it is not a problem to run two ultra-powerful professional graphics cards in full PCIe x16 3.0 without loss of performance or memory bandwidth. The Zenith Extreme motherboard features a premium 10G LAN card, and we have a PCIe line in place. And enough of them is enough for another SSD via U.2 connector (PCIe 3.0 x4) and another M.2 slot, which again operates and fully uses PCIe 3.0 in x4 mode.

Do you play, stream, and do you enjoy making videos on YouTube from your experiences and achievements? Then you will like this. As with the previous configuration, there is a dual M.2 card in the DIMM.2 slot, which is the exclusivity of only the ASUS hi-end boards. You can use one SSD as a game library and the other for streaming and uploading videos. Of course, it's full 2x x16 PCIe 3.0 for two hi-end graphics cards, such as ASUS ROG 1080 Ti Poseidon, and you can safely attach a grab card that takes all 8 PCIe lines, and you're dry. Enough, now up to 16 32-threaded kernels at the Threadripper 1950X processor offer so much power that you can forget the other PC purely for streaming and recording. And classically, under the Heatsink chipset you will find another M.2 port for ultra-fast SSDs that you can use for your operating system and programs.

No less interesting use of the sTR4 platform thanks to the 64 PCIe lines, the possibility of 4 professional cards such as VEGA Frontier Professional Edition. When installing all three M.2 SSDs with high capacity and brutal speeds, 3 such graphics cards will run in x16 3.0 and one in x8 3.0. As you can see, enough PCIe lines are never to be thrown, and the sTR4 platform with the X399 chip for AMD Threadripper processors gets you the maximum possible amount of connectivity from what the Threadripper permits. For competitors, you have to pay for PCIe lines, because with lesser kernels, you will not be able to get as many PCIe lines.

One thing you would never have solved with the processors is packing. AMD has entered the full power of the Threadripper market, delivering a great show to your hand. This time, this is not a paper box with a plastic shell, but when you're trying to get to the processor, you feel like you're opening a nuclear reactor. Inside, you will find a special key for holding the CPU into the socket, which is, by the way, very elegantly designed, manual and bracket for AiO radiators, such as NZXT kraken. And when you see with your own eyes that monstrous piece of processor, you will not understand, I will not overdo it.

We test AMD Ryzen Threadripper processors

We leave theory theory and let's say something about the following tests in practice. Right from the start, I have to say that testing all three AMD Ryzen Threadripper processors was pretty funny. These beasts have two modes. Creators (default) and Game. Creative and game modes. All three CPUs in Creators mode run all kernels and all threads and memory mode is set to Distributed mode, which is when the memory system is optimized for maximum DDR4 throughput. Game mode, on the other hand, reduces the number of cores / threads by half because of the fact that today's games do not use as much work force and the memory mode is set to Local, which has the task of reducing the latency of the memory to a minimum.

That's why it was necessary to test the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X, 1920X and 1950X in gameplay tests in both modes, and since we are overclocking in Alze enthusiasts, it is standard not only to test the defaults hardware but also after overclocking. Thus, twice the work. So in the tests, you will see all three Threadrippers in both modes, while the 16 core 1950X has an OC limit on all kernels at 3,700 MHz in the Creators mode and 4,000 MHz playfully in Game Mode. The 1920X and 1900X models in both modes handled the 4,000 MHz left back and memory controller of all three processors handled 3466 MHz on tens of 15-15-15-15-34 1T memories according to the Stilt profile that I mentioned and tested review it in the review of the best motherboard for these ASUS ROG ZENITH EXTREME processors.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper Processors in the Octane 2.0 Test

Octane 2.0 consists of 17 tests based on JavaScript and the benchmark tests the performance of the processor in a modern web environment. Still, most applications use up to 4 kernels and 4 working threads to best advantage, so there's better IPC performance and greater core operating frequency and memory controller, both on Intel's Skylake-X processors.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper Processors in the JetStream Test

The second JetStream test explores Web-based performance again in JavaScript-based tests. Benchmark is a combination of many smaller tests that simulate both the synthetic performance and the real environment that you normally encounter. The resulting score is the geometric mean of all subtests. As the chart says, Stilla is still better off to the more modern Skylake-X from Intel.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper Processors in the Kraken Test

And the third Kraken benchmark, again based on JavaScript, which examines the speed of individual operations, results again in a geometric mean. In this case, the graph is less millisecond better. All three of the first tests are a summary of the classical work that you will encounter, and though it may seem like I'm testing Intel-friendly benchmarks, I always do these tests, and the Intel processor's technological advancement is just about to be known. There are, of course, other factors, such as cost, total equipment (PCIe lines), and maybe some ideology that plays a role in many people in choosing hardware.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper Processors in the Cinebench R15 Test

At Cinebench R15 the card turns slightly. In the multi-thread variant of the test, when all available work threads are involved, the Threadripper is very successful, even if the strongest 1950X is running 900 MHz slower. But it also has 4 cores and 8 working threads to hand, and that is to know. But if we compare the twelve-core from Intel to the i9-7920X and the AMD 1920X twelve-core, we get the same defaults, but after overclocking Intel is noticeably higher than AMD.

The second test is a comparison of so-called singlethread performance, or it is the result of a situation where we only engage in one working thread. Best of course, Skylake-X processors work here, mainly due to better IPC performance and higher operating frequency. Nowadays, you'll still be seeing a lot of things to appreciate singlethread performance, so I recommend taking this into account, as Intel's processors are not yet in competition.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper processors in the GeekBench test 3

GeekBench 3 again tests CPUs through real-life scenarios that you can see when working with your computer. There is no doubt about the processor in this test. Ryzen Threadripper 1950X with 16 kernels and 32 working threads, both in defaults and overclocking, reigns in the price comparison session. With less than 3,700 cents, the cheaper processor with 4 cores and 8 threads in addition to the i9-7920X does not look bad.

Someone would assume that the singlethread test will be for Achilles' heel for AMD Ryzen Threadripper. After overclocking, however, the 1920X and 1920X models, which are not the number of cores and fibers, and with frequencies of up to 4,000 MHz, hold, call and overhaul the even more technologically advanced Intel Skylake-X processors in the GeekBench 3 single-threaded test.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper processors in the WinRAR test

The classic that we all meet everyday. Working with WinRAR. A simple example - we have lots of vacation photos, we want to reduce their volume and back up them in one big cloud or NAS file. Will the faster Threadripper from AMD, or Skylake-X from Intel? Charts speak clearly ...

AMD Ryzen Threadripper processors in the HWBOT H265 test

HWBOT H265 is a benchmark of Czech origin from the Haveli overclocker workshop. The test measures video encoding performance with H265 codec, which is slowly starting to use, as videos under H265 are far more robust than those under H264. With the arrival of 4K videos that are increasingly in the course, the use of H265 is a must. AMD Ryzen Threadripper has a lot of performance, but Intel, who works well with the AVX instructions used in this work, does not get too busy and does not help even more work cores and fibers.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper processors in the Time Spy Physics test

Time Spy Physics is part of Futuremark's 3D benchmark, which is specialized in DirectX 12. The Physics section uses only a processor for physics calculations, and as is customary, more work threads = better. For physics calculations, it depends a lot on latency and memory performance, and because Intel has a better memory controller for the new Kaby Lake-X and Skylake-X processors, the performance with overclocked DDR4 is great.

Threadripper in CPU focused test in Ashes of Singularity

AMD Ryzen Threadripper tests in PC games

Ashes of Singularity: Escalation is one of the most demanding processor games, as with real-time strategies. It is also one of the first games to natively support DirectX 12 and the partner is AMD and the game is included in Gaming Evolved. The game was created by Oxide Games and everything runs on the Nitrous Engine. This title is not classically measured by FRAPS as other games, but there is a built-in 180s benchmark that creates its own frametimes log.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided

Resolution: 1920 × 1080Resolution: 2560x1440

CPU power over the entire time of this article is the most telling FullHD resolution because, as we know earlier, the processor has more work than a graphics card in less resolution. The main task of the processor is to process all the images the ASUS GTX 1080 Ti Poseidon creates in the graphical pipeline, and because the card does not know how much will be needed, it creates the maximum and the processor has something to do. So it's a nice experience that AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X is winning this challenging processor process, although it's just a bit more expensive than the more expensive i9 7920X with fewer cores and working threads.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is a action-based FPS (First-Person Shooter) computer game with elements of RPG, stealth, and social interaction. The game was built on Dawn Engine by the Eidos Montreal developer and released in August 2016 by Square Enix. The game is part of AMD's Gaming Evolved game program and supports the new DirectX 12 gaming interface. Frame rate and frame times were measured on the built-in benchmark of the game for 98 seconds by FRAPS.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided

Resolution: 1920 × 1080Resolution: 2560x1440

Fallout 4 is a sequel to the legendary postapocalyptic RPG cult. The game comes from Bethland Game Studios and runs on Creation Engine, which is well known from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Although it is - to put it mildly - a pre-flood engine, the game is still very popular and often played around the world. There is no modern game at the moment to know CPU and DRAM performance just like Fallout 4. The game is measured by Fraps for 80 seconds at a location called Boston Commons that I chose to process CPUs. Since it is unlikely that another part of Fallout will run on the same engine, we will continue to keep this jewel in the test methodology. The game was set to Ultra preset.

Fallout 4 is my heart. From both the gamer's perspective and the hardware performance comparison. With this game, the most memorable memory, performance and the resulting frequency on the processor core are the most obvious. However, it should be mentioned that AMD Ryzen Threadripper will play well after overclocking in combination with the GTX 1080 Ti. The game is called FPS based, so over 60 FPS does not play the game naturally and is therefore more or less a synthetic test.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a continuation of the cult genre according to the book by writer Andrzej Sapkowski. The game comes from the CD Project RED studio and runs on the RED engine. At the same time, it belongs to NVIDIE The Way It's Meant to Be Played and has GameWorks libraries. The scenes in this game are quite challenging, so I chose an 80-second circuit in the city called Novigrad for CPU testing. This part of the wanderer has already ended, respectively. there will be no more datadis, but I still keep it in the processor testing methodology, as it is a very popular game that has recently been caught by Netflix and is getting its serial form, so it is quite possible that you want to play it.

The witchcraft is starting to be a very old game, and since no more DLCs are going on, I may soon be disqualified from my test methodology. For the time being, Geralt is doing well with measuring CPU performance in the game environment and seeing the 1080 px results yourself.

Rise of the Tomb Raider is the latest piece of legendary adventure game with Larou Croft. The game came from Crystal Dynamics and runs on the Horizon engine. The game is part of the NVIDIA The Way It's Meant to Be Play program and fully supports DirectX 12. The game scene for processor measurement is again different from the graphics card scene. Geothermal Valley location is very demanding on the processor, and if somewhere in this game the processor will limit the graphics card, it will be here. The frametimes measurement section is 100 seconds long and the game is set to Ultra details with SMAA smoothing in both resolutions.

Lara seems to appreciate a decent workforce, and therefore multi-core and fiber processors are the best. Even so, to "feed" the strongest graphics card such as the GTX 1080 Ti Poseidon from ASUS, the eighti i7 7820X is enough, and the i9 7900X can no longer determine any performance difference.

Prey is one of the latest hot news this year. The game comes from Arkane Studios and runs on the well-known Cryengine. Prey was created with Bethesda Softworks and AMD's main partner, so it's also part of Gaming Evolved. As a measurement scene, the Hardware Labs area is 64 seconds. The whole frametimes process is recorded by the Fraps tool, and as you can see, the game likes a large number of cores / threads, and at 1080 px, the i9 7900X X900 platform is very successful.

This dark "shooter" obviously testifies to the fact that more cores mean better. Of course, not everyone needs 200 FPS for single-player, but because we're looking at CPU performance and how CPUs can "feed" a good gaming grapher, there's nothing left to do to powerlift this style .

And what about the performance of AMD Ryzen Threadripper processors?

Some would say that such huge chips as AMD Ryzen Threadripper must be consuming. Is that so?

Power consumption in PRIME 95 at base

As a preliminary point I will specify that this is the consumption of the whole set, which in my case will be slightly larger than most other results, mainly due to my custom water cooling, which is unparalleled. On the other hand, it is an Extreme platform that is designed mainly for overclocking, so you need to take into account that without proper cooling you simply can not. To determine the consumption of Ryzen Threadripper processors and to compare with Skylake-X, I chose such methods as the maximum possible gain from the processor and thus the FFT option in PRIME 95. This consumption in watts is of course on the so-called defaults when the processor inserted into the motherboard without any changes in the UEFI.

And we get to that fun part. As an overclocker, I always try to make the most of it, and in this case I wonder how much the AMD Ryzen Threadripper "says" from the socket. What I've seen is what you see, but since it can be a shock for someone, especially with Skylake-X processors, I repeat what I wrote in the X299 platform review. Due to the different L3 cache sizes, the i9 7900X and i9 7920X needed to set different FFT units sizes than other models because otherwise the processor throttled on consumption and temperatures, and it was not relevant for my measurements. People often ask me if they need a 500W source for the hi-end platform. Of course, you do not seem to get to such values ​​in normal work, but for example, when using AVX video, you can easily get close to it.

Conclusion of review or first impressions from AMD Ryzen Threadripper

In conclusion, I will tell you my subjective impression of the first testing of the new X399 platform with an emphasis on the objectivity of the whole thing. I like this. The ASUS ROG ZENITH EXTREME motherboard also makes a great contribution to this, and I really enjoyed it. Threadripper is a change, very distinctive and pleasant. The processors of this platform have a lot of decent performance, good operating performance, and probably the best price on them. At the same time, for all three models, you have a full number of lines available, so you will not be able to count on whether or not you have them. You can play two graphics cards, other PCIe devices, such as a streamer grabber card, and you can still mount PCIe SSD drives and run them in full mode. The only thing that did not convince me was the switching of Creator and Game modes, I expected a bit of performance in Game mode to be better, but I did not. The Ryzen Master Threadripper also does not work without any problems, so I hope it will be tuned in time.

Sure, there are a lot of situations when Intel wins when it comes to performance. Likewise, IPC Ryzen is somewhere on the Broadwell-E level, and taps are lower than the latest Intel processors, and most importantly, AMD is still in its infancy. As time goes by, I assume that everything will improve. Both the manufacturing process, which is related to the operating frequencies, the efficiency of the memory controller and, last but not least, the "code paths" that affect the relationships between hardware and software. So I am talking about the overall optimization of AMD Ryzen, mainly from the side of game developers and applications. If you asked me whether to buy a new X399 platform, I would say it is worth the test, and it will not be a bad investment.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper

Processors

The new processors for the X399 platform AMD Ryzen Threadripper offer super performance and decent operating performance at very reasonable cost. The overall impression of this news is very good, and therefore we award our highest award, the Golden Alzac!

Buildings

• Very decent multi-thread performance
• 64 PCIe lines
• Platform with many options
• Powerful game and work base in one
• A decent memory controller (on a quad-channel)
• Brazed IHS
• Price, price and price!

Fights

• Worse single-thread power
• Some air coolers block 1. PCIe slot
• A large area of ​​IHS precludes the use of older coolers
• Claims for very strong (water) cooling