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AMD Threadripper 2970WX and 2920X – the smaller offshoots of the big crunchers

AmD's second-generation Threadripper processors offered the WX series affordable server power for the first time, even for consumers and (semi-)professional users. Content creator. This new series was led by the almost bestial-looking 32-core / 64-thread model Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX. This 1800-euro processor set new records for multi-threaded performance in a single socket, but its unique architecture also led to strange performance trends in some popular desktop applications and games, which is what clearly makes it clear that it is best suited for professionals with very specific workloads and is not quite as mass compatible as you might think.

AMD's 1,300-euro Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX CPU has 24 cores and 48 threads and is also part of the same WX series as the Big Brother, which is designed for intense multitasking and semi-professional workloads. That's still more cores for the high-end desktop than Intel's Core i9-7980XE with its 18 cores / 36 threads offers for almost 1900 euros.

The Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX has the same WX architecture as its 32-core counterpart, but with six cores disabled. This means that two of the 2990WX's Dies are not directly connected to the main memory, so it delivers incredible performance on highly compute-intensive and perfectly scaling workloads that are not sensitive to memory throughput. However, it is very sensitive to bandwidth bottle necks, especially if these workloads do not scale well with additional cores.

AMD introduced a new software-based dynamic mode (Windows Service) to reduce the impact of these very special designs, but we also found that this workaround didn't always work the way you wanted it to be. Had. AMD will still have to optimize a lot of things here in order to get the horsepower onto the road even without pointless rubber abrasion.

In some parallelized workloads, the quad-die architecture also prevents optimal performance scaling, which often puts the large 32-core 2990WX just short of its much less equipped brothers like the 2950X thread ripper or even falls behind leaves. In turn, this also means that the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX offers almost the same performance as the more expensive model. However, you still need a very specific workload to get the maximum out of this CPU. But if you use something like that, it's a very good alternative to the more expensive 32-core.

Earlier this year, AMD also upgraded Ryzen's mainstream offering with new Zen+ optimizations, including 12nm manufacturing, improved memory and cache latency, higher clock speeds, and improved Precision Boost. Of course, these changes will also be applied to the new Threadripper models. AMD divides its Threadripper portfolio into the WX and X families. In particular, the WX models are designed for intensive multitasking workloads, 3D rendering, media encoding, and video mastering. This makes them particularly attractive for software developers, video/audio technicians and content creators.

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX Ryzen Threadripper 2950X Threadripper 2920X
Socket Audiotrack Audiotrack Audiotrack Audiotrack
Cores / Threads 32 / 64 24 / 48 16 / 32 12 / 24
Base clock 3.0 GHz 3.0 GHz 3.5 GHz 3.5 GHz
Boost clock 4.2 GHz 4.2 GHz 4.4 GHz 4.3 GHz
Memory clock DDR4-2933 DDR4-2933 DDR4-2933 DDR4-2933
Storage Controller Quad-Channel Quad-Channel Quad-Channel Quad-Channel
Free Multi
Yes Yes Yes Yes
PCIe Lanes 44 (Four to the chipset) 44 (Four to the chipset) 44 (Four to the chipset) 44 (Four to the chipset)
Integrated graphics No No No No
Cache (L2 / L3) 80MB 64MB 40MB 32MB
Architecture Zen+ Zen+ Zen+ Zen+
Process node 12nm LP GloFo 12nm LP GloFo 12nm LP GloFo 12nm LP GloFo
Tdp 250w 250w 180w 180w

 

The Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

The Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is AMD's smaller quad-die processor for the high-end desktop. This model has 24 cores / 48 threads and a 3 GHz base frequency that can be raised up to 4.2 GHz using AMD's XFR (eXtreme Frequency Range) algorithms. The processor also features improved Precision Boost-2 algorithms, which significantly improve the multicore turbo over first-generation models.

Each of the four Dies of the WX processor has eight physical cores and 16 MB l3 cache. The Threadripper 2990WX and 2970WX are both equipped with 64 MB L3 cache. This is generous from AMD's side: Intel typically disables the cache in a lock-step with cores, so that "smaller" chips can get by with less cache. However, AMD disables two cores per Die on the 2970WX to facilitate 24-core configuration.

Like the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX, the 2970WX has a TDP of 250W and its unique design also has its own architecturally quite unusual features. AMD has developed a new dynamic local mode for the WX processors to meet the performance requirements of quad-die design. On the following page we will take a closer look together.

 

The Ryzen Threadripper 2920X

AMD's Dual-The X-Series is aimed primarily at enthusiasts and gamers. The company launched the Ryzen Threadripper 2950X in September this year, but now the Threadripper 2920X, a 12-core/24-thread processor, is also available at retail outlets for 650 euros. This dual-die processor has six active cores per chip and the same 32MB L3 cache as the 16C/32T 2950X. Both X-Series models are specified with a TDP power of 180 W.

As usual, AMD uses indium lot between the Dies and the heat spreader to improve heat transfer. In contrast, Intel used thermal conductive paste and recommends water cooling for its Skylake X processors. AmD, by the way, believes that this would not be mandatory for the Threadripper CPUs. Nevertheless, in this performance class one should rather rely on a potent water cooling, also with regard to XFR2.

But Intel has also recently added Indium-Lot to its Core i9 series, so we can see that misunderstood austerity constraints on the one hand (Intel) and a customer-friendly interpretation (AMD) can also lead to a rethink. AMD has put pressure on Intel, because the reintroduction of the lot will probably not have been realized so voluntarily and patronisingly. So much for competition and its benefits for customers.

All second-generation Threadripper processors are backwards compatible with existing X399 motherboards. Older socket TR4 boards could well get thermal problems in the voltage converter range under the performance requirements of AMD's 250W Threadripper WX series, especially if you try to overclock higher. But most of the boards should also easily cope with the new generation.

With controlled cooling of the voltage converters, all existing X399 platforms should provide enough room for improvement to fully retrieve most of the X Series Precision Boost Overdrive features for higher frequencies.

All new Threadripper chips feature unlocked overclocking translation multipliers, the new Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) automated overclocking feature, Ryzen Master software, and 60 third-generation PCI Express lanes (plus four lanes connected to the supporting chipset). Extensive connectivity may be useful for multiple add-in graphics cards, but it is also quite useful for high-performance storage and networks.

DIMM Config Memory Ranks Official Supported Transfer Rate (MT/s)
4 of 4 Single DDR4-2933
4 of 8 DDR4-2667
8 of 8 DDR4-2133
4 of 4 Dual DDR4-2933
4 of 8 DDR4-2667
8 of 8 DDR4-1866

Threadripper CPUs have independent dual-channel connections on two lines, which together then provide quad-channels with different data transfer rates (depending on the configuration). With the second-generation Threadripper processors, AMD sets the maximum specification to DDR4-2933 (from DDR4-2666). The platform supports ECC storage and up to 256GB of capacity, but could theoretically hold up to 2TB as density increases. Without special activation, mind you.

Cores /
Threads
Base /
Boost (GHz)
L3 Cache
– (MB) Mr President, I would like to
PCIe 3.0 Dram Tdp Eia UVP Pro Core
TR 2990WX 32 / 64 3.0 / 4.2 64 64 (4 to PCH) Quad DDR4-2933 250w $1799 $56
TR 2970WX 24 / 48 3.0 / 4.2 64 64 (4 to PCH) Quad DDR4-2933 250w $1299 $54
Core i9-7980XE 18 / 36 2.6 / 4.4 24.75 44 Quad DDR4-2666 140w In 1999 $111
TR 2950X 16 / 32 3.5 / 4.4 32 64 (4 to PCH) Quad DDR4-2933 180w $899 $56
TR 1950X 16 / 32 3.4 / 4.4 64 64 (4 to PCH) Quad DDR4-2667 180w $750 $47
Core i9-7960X 16 / 32 2.8 / 4.4 22 44 Quad DDR4-2666 140w $1699 $106
TR 2920X 12 / 24 3.5 / 4.3 32 64 (4 to PCH) Quad DDR4-2933 180w $649 $54
TR 1920X 12 / 24 3.5 / 4.2 64 64 (4 to PCH) Quad DDR4-2667 180w $399 $33
Core i9-7920X 12 /24 2.9 / 4.4 16.50 44 Quad DDR4-2666 140w $1199 $100
Core i9-7900X 10 / 20 3.3 / 4.3 13.75 44 Quad DDR4-2666 140w $999 $99
Core i7-8700K 6 / 12 3.7 / 4.7 12 16 Dual DDR4-2666 95w $359 •60
Ryzen 7 2700X 8 / 16 3.7 / 4.3 16 16 Dual DDR4-2933 105w $329 $41

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About the author

Igor Wallossek

Editor-in-chief and name-giver of igor'sLAB as the content successor of Tom's Hardware Germany, whose license was returned in June 2019 in order to better meet the qualitative demands of web content and challenges of new media such as YouTube with its own channel.

Computer nerd since 1983, audio freak since 1979 and pretty much open to anything with a plug or battery for over 50 years.

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