Threadripper 3990X: 64 cores for the desktop
7.2.2020
Translation: machine translated
It's here: the desktop processor with the most cores at the moment. The 64-core Threadripper 3990X pushes forward into new performance spheres, especially when it comes to rendering.
It's been four years since Intel introduced the first ten-core processor for the desktop: the Broadwell-E Core i7-6950X. Now AMD is coming up with the Threadripper 3990X, boasting 64 cores and 128 threads.
| Processor | Cores / Threads | Base / boost clock (GHz) | L3 cache (MB) | PCIe Lanes | **DRAM | TDP (Watt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threadripper 3990X | 64 / 128 | 2.9 / 4.3 | 256 | 88 Gen 4 (72 usable) | Quad DDR4-3200 | 280 |
| Threadripper 3970X | 32 / 64 | 3.7 / 4.5 | 128 | 88 Gen 4 (72 usable) | Quad DDR4-3200 | 280 |
| Core i9-10980XE | 18 / 36 | 3.0 / 4.8 | 24.75 | 48 Gen 3 | Quad DDR4-2933 | 165 |
What can this thing do?
When applications support the 128 threads of the 3990X, it's a real beast. Heise measured 25,321 points in Cinebench R20. That's 47 per cent more than the Threadripper 3970X. According to Heise, Windows 10 applications must be able to handle so-called processor groups in order to utilise more than 64 CPU threads. This currently only applies to a few applications. For example, the Threadripper 3970X achieves better results than the 3990X in certain applications due to the higher clock rate and because only 64 threads are addressed.
Computerbase comes to a similar conclusion. However, the problem of software optimisation for many cores is much less than with the first generation Threadripper. The Threadripper 3990X is also suitable for gaming, although the target group is clearly different.
Who needs 64 cores?
All reviewers see users who do a lot of rendering tasks as the target group. Techspot names Visual Effects Guys:
It's VFX guys that have projects that take 1 or 2 days to render using a more traditional HEDT part. For example, where the 2990WX might take 24 hours complete a render, the 3990X could reduce the completion time of the same job to just 15 hours.
The Ryzen Threadripper 3990X runs on all TRX40 mainboards and is available now. The high performance comes at a price: the 64-core costs just over 4100 francs / 4200 euros. There is currently nothing comparable from Intel.
Kevin Hofer
Senior Editor
kevin.hofer@digitecgalaxus.chFrom big data to big brother, Cyborgs to Sci-Fi. All aspects of technology and society fascinate me.
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