The 64 Core Threadripper 3990X CPU Review: In The Midst Of Chaos, AMD Seeks Opportunity
by Dr. Ian Cutress & Gavin Bonshor on February 7, 2020 9:00 AM ESTAMD 3990X Against $20k Enterprise CPUs
For those looking at a server replacement CPU, AMD’s big discussion point here is that in order to get 64 cores on Intel hardware is relatively hard. The best way to get there is with a dual socket system, featuring two of its 28-core dies at a hefty $10k a piece. AMD’s argument is that users can consolidate down to a single socket, but also have better memory support, PCIe 4.0, and no cross-memory domain issues.
| AMD 3990X Enterprise Competition | |||
| AnandTech | AMD 3990X |
AMD 7702P |
Intel 2x8280 |
| SEP | $3990 | $4450 | $20018 |
| Cores/Threads | 64 / 128 | 64 / 128 | 56 / 112 |
| Base Frequency | 2900 | 2000 | 2700 |
| Turbo Frequency | 4300 | 3350 | 4000 |
| PCIe | 4.0 x64 | 4.0 x128 | 3.0 x96 |
| DDR4 Frequency | 4x 3200 | 8x 3200 | 12x 2933 |
| Max DDR4 Capacity | 512 GB | 2 TB | 3 TB |
| TDP | 280 W | 200 W | 410 W |
Unfortunately I was unable to get ahold of our Rome CPUs from Johan in time for this review, however I do have data from several dual Intel Xeon setups that I did a few months ago, including the $20k system.
This time with Corona the competition is hot on the heels of AMD's 64-core CPUs, but even $20k of hardware can't match it.
The non-AVX verson of 3DPM puts the Zen 2 hardware out front, with everything else waiting in the wings.
When we add in the AVX-512 hand tuned code, the situation flips: Intel's 56 cores get almost 2.5x the score of AMD, despite having fewer cores.
Blender doesn't seem to like the additional access latency from the 2P systems.
For AES encoding, as the benchmark takes places from memory, it appears that none of Intel's CPUs can match AMD here.
For the 7-zip combined test, there's little difference between AMD's 32-core and 64-core, but there are sizable jumps above Intel hardware.
Verdict
In our tests here (more in our benchmark database), AMD's 3990X would get the crown over Intel's dual socket offerings. The only thing really keeping me back from giving it is the same reason there was hesitation on the previous page: it doesn't do enough to differentiate itself from AMD's own 32-core CPU. Where AMD does win is in that 'money is less of an issue scenario', where using a single socket 64 core CPU can help consolidate systems, save power, and save money. Intel's CPUs have a TDP of 205W each (more if you decide to use the turbo, which we did here), which totals 410W, while AMD maxed out at 280W in our tests. Technically Intel's 2P has access to more PCIe lanes, but AMD's PCIe lanes are PCIe 4.0, not PCIe 3.0, and with the right switch can power many more than Intel (if you're saving 16k, then a switch is peanuts).
We acknowledge that our tests here aren't in any way a comprehensive test of server level workloads, but for the user base that AMD is aiming for, we'd take the 64 core (or even the 32 core) in most circumstances over two Intel 28 core CPUs, and spend the extra money on memory, storage, or a couple of big fat GPUs.
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dwade123 - Friday, February 7, 2020 - link
Fact is most x399 owners can't afford the new TR. Only ones defending these shady prices are lowly AM4 users who love the brand to death. Therefore, overpriced.Makaveli - Friday, February 7, 2020 - link
lol the same X399 owners that were buying $500 motherboards?Can't afford this?
Do you even know what you are talking about?
dwade123 - Friday, February 7, 2020 - link
Another AM4 pleb trying to present X399 users. Most sold TR models were under $1k. TR 3000 series starts at $1500. Try again at shilling.Korguz - Friday, February 7, 2020 - link
dwade123 , sounds like you are happy paying intel for its cpus before Zen was released :-) the tables have turned and amd has the better cpus, and all of a sudden, its wrong to charge prices like this ??deksman2 - Friday, February 7, 2020 - link
This threadripper isn't necessarily targeted at mainstream consumers but rather small businesses and studios for content creation (such as VFX companies) - just like now, VFX companies went for 32 cores TR (most 'regular consumers' went for maybe 16 core/32 threads if they could afford it).And on that note... just who from the regular consumer market is able to afford $20,000 Xeon to begin with?
The Xeon's are 5x more expensive in comparison.
So, on a cost scale alone, which CPU do you think would be more accessible?
The Xeon's or 3990x?
Also, as the article points out, the software is having problems with scaling beyond 32 cores properly to begin with.
So, most 'regular consumers' who can afford TR will likely go for the 32 core/64 thread version from the Zen 2 family (whereas VFX companies and small businesses would transition to 3990x once the software catches up).
MattZN - Friday, February 7, 2020 - link
Shady prices? Buying a system with similar capabilities just 2 years ago would have cost me $40,000.-Matt
Spunjji - Monday, February 10, 2020 - link
dwade123 is a Trump supporter; logic has no place in its world view.Korguz - Saturday, February 8, 2020 - link
ahh so how about those that were defending intels prices before zen came out ?? going by what you said, those cpus were also overpriced ??? fact is, most couldnt afford the prices intel was charging for its higher end chips... its funny how it seems when intel does something its ok.. but when amd does the same, its wrong....MattZN - Friday, February 7, 2020 - link
I think you are taking a rather expansive license with your use of "most". A better way to think about it is... who actually *needs* a system this big? I would guess that most of the people you are thinking about don't actually need a 3990X system for what they do. Not really.Not to mention that actually utilizing a 64-core/128-thread CPU fully would also require commensurate amounts of ram. For our needs, which are mostly bulk-compiles, 2GB/thread is required which is $1400 worth of memory just by itself (for 256GB worth of EUDIMMs).
$4000 + $1400 + storage... yah, it adds up. At that point nobody is going to be crying over a $500 motherboard.
-Matt
Spunjji - Monday, February 10, 2020 - link
Ableist slurs scattered amidst a nonsensical rant?Check.
Strawmanning anyone who disagrees?
Check.
Referring to anyone not buying top-of-the-range gear as a "peasant"?
Check.
Oh boy, it's a troll! Hooray! :|