AMD launches the Threadripper Pro 7000 WX processor

Are videos or animations displaying a little slow? Then AMD launches a solution in the form of the new Threadripper Pro 7000 WX series. Many threads and cores designed specifically for desktop computers provide a large amount of computing power, although this also requires a large TDP.

AMD introduces a new processor series aimed at workstations where massive performance is central: the Threadripper Pro 7000 WX. Anyone who can remember previous iterations of the Threadripper series knows that AMD isn’t exactly focused on precision in this lineup. These massive CPUs come with a large number of computing cores, high clock speeds, and an impressive TDP.

In total, AMD is introducing six new chipsets under the professional Threadripper banner:

As you can see, the Threadripper Pro 7995WX is the flagship of the lineup. The specs look like those of a high-performance server chip, with 96 cores and a boost clock speed of 5.1GHz. The TDP of 350W is not surprising for this chipset, although it is notable that the smaller brothers have the same TDP.

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AMD states that the performance of the Threadripper Pro 7985WX with 64 compute cores is 21 percent to 46 percent better than the previous generation Threadripper Pro 5995WX with the same number of cores, depending on the workload. This is a great performance gain, thanks to the architecture.

For these new chips, AMD is going all-in on the Zen 4 architecture, which also powers the latest server and laptop chips. In terms of instructions per clock cycle, Zen 4 actually offers a 12 percent improvement over Zen 3.

The new processors also support DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 via 128 lanes. The Pro label indicates that the CPUs come with some useful additional features, including a layer of security and management options designed for larger businesses.

For heavy workstations

AMD expects the chips to power heavy-duty workstations in a variety of industries. Media and entertainment is of course an important target group since the number of cores and high clock speeds theoretically make short work of rendering. The same applies to architecture, where performances play an important role. In design and manufacturing, the chip promises to perform well in all simulations, assuming the workloads are CPU-centric of course.

It goes without saying that AMD also mentions Intel in its announcement. The chipmaker sees the Intel Xeon W-3400 as the perfect competitor to the Threadripper Pro 7000 WX. The comparison between the two looks good for AMD: the thread crusher has more compute cores, a higher clock speed, more than three times the L3 cache and a handful of additional PCIe lanes. Intel’s Xeon-W series was briefly the champion at launch, but on paper, AMD is making up for all its damage with the launch of Threadrippers.

Without pro

AMD is also launching some Threadripper chipsets that aren’t aimed exclusively at the business market. These derivatives do not have the security and management functions of the Pro series and are available in slightly less extreme configurations, but follow the same philosophy.

As you can see, these chips are a little more manageable, although they still have huge capabilities. You can also see this in the price tag. In the US, the suggested retail price for the most powerful chip is $4,999. Those who want the 24-core Lite version will still pay $1,499 for the CPU alone.