AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X review - The Ryzen (Threadripper) Processor Series

The Threadripper Die

Being part of the Ryzen family, Threadripper processors are just that; CPUs based upon Ryzen architecture. While a lot of IO changes have been made to facilitate it, basically on-die you'll spot two 8-core Ryzen processors, much like the Ryzen 7 1800X has two CCxes, each with four cores. This means that Ryzen Threadripper processors have four CCXes, two (and this is a little arbitrary) 8-core units per die. When we go all the way back to one CCX, each of them have 4-cores enabled. For the twelve-core parts that means per 4-core cluster (CCX), one core is disabled and that means these processors are set up in a 3+3+3+3  (6+6) fashion. Other than that, again, these are physically similar to the 8-core Ryzen design, it is the very same die that is used, however binned for high performance. AMD is using the top 2% of binned ASICs. So as the 8-core Ryzen die is similar, that also means and invokes corresponding caches. And before you ask, yes, Threadripper processors are all SMT threaded (acronym is Hyper-threading) and yes, you get that sweet unlocked multiplier as well. The Ryzen Threadripper series has a 180W TDP and an extra 200 MHz XFR allowance. 

The Ryzen Processor Family

On the market you will spot Ryzen series 3, 5, 7 and now Threadripper processors. It’s plain and simple and, as always, that works out the best to understand product positioning compared to the Intel line-up. We’ll go into more detail on the next few pages, of course. 

Three Threadripper SKUs in August 

Ryzen Threadripper will have to battle Intel's new Core i9 (Skylake-X) models that run from 10 to 18 cores with prices running up-towards 2000 USD. AMD launched Ryzen with three primary 8-core models initially, followed by six and four-core models. The Ryzen Threadripper series processors are eight, twelve or sixteen core processors at incredibly competitive pricing.

• The flagship processor is the Ryzen Threadripper 1950X, a 16-core product that will get a 3.4 GHz base frequency with the ability to precision boost to 4.0 GHz (!). These processors are SMT, thus ‘hyper-threaded’ to 32 threads. This processor will retail for 999 USD.
• The Ryzen Threadripper 1920X is the 12-core product, the base clock is a notch higher at 3.5 GHz with precision boost to 4.0 GHz, this SKU will get 24 threads. This processor will retail for 799 USD. 
• Ryzen Threadripper 1900X is being introduced as well. This is an 8-core processor with 16 threads, 3.8 GHz base frequency and 4.0 GHz boost. At $549, obviously since it is on the X399 platform it benefits from quad channel memory as well as the 64-pcie lanes. 

For an availability date the story goes like this: Aug 10th the 16 and 12-core processors will be available worldwide. The 8-core version will be released slightly later on August 31^st. 

eXtended Frequency Range (XFR)

You will have noticed that some models end with an X, while others do not. It remains simple; the X models are a little more special in the sense that they will have a higher base and boost clock frequency as well as an increased XFR range (Extended Frequency Range). The X models (Threadripper 1950X) have been tested and binned on ASIC quality (best 2% of dies are selected) and thus sorted from good to better and often will clock higher on the XFR range and yes, X models could / should be more easy to tweak as well. There are no non-X models just yet. For Threadripper 1950X/1920X/1900X you will get an extended boost XFR range of 200 MHz.

If the certain conditions are met (power/heat/etc) you can get an up-to 200 MHz extra on top of the 4.0 GHz boost frequency, e.g. four cores can boost over 4000 MHz.