Second-generation Threadripper goes on sale: $1,799 for 32 cores
Announced back in June, AMD's second-generation Threadripper processors are now available for preorder. The top-end part, the Threadripper 2990WX, is a 32-core, 64-thread processor with a total of 64MB of level 3 cache, running at a base clock of 3.0GHz, boosting as high as 4.2GHz. It ships on August 13 and is selling for $1,799.
| Model | Cores/Threads | Clock base/boost/GHz | Level 3 cache/MB | TDP/W | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2990WX | 32/64 | 3.0/4.2 | 64 | 250 | $1,799 | August 13 |
| 2970WX | 24/48 | 3.0/4.2 | 64 | 250 | $1,299 | October |
| 2950X | 16/32 | 3.5/4.4 | 32 | 180 | $899 | August 31 |
| 2920X | 12/24 | 3.5/4.3 | 32 | 180 | $649 | October |
The basic building blocks of the second-generation Threadrippers are the same as the first-generation parts. Threadripper processors are multi-chip modules (MCMs) containing multiple dies and Infinity Fabric interconnects. AMD calls the basic building block of each chip a Core Complex (CCX), which has four cores, eight threads, and 8MB of level 3 cache. Each chip contains two CCXes. The first round of Threadrippers had four chips, with two of them active and two inactive, for a total of 16 cores and 32 threads. The new second-generation parts announced today make all four chips active, bringing the counts up to 32 cores and 64 threads.
The new chips increase the total power to 250W compared to 180W for the first-gen parts. However, AMD has said that the new processors will work in existing motherboards using the X399 chipset. Motherboards that can't deliver substantially more than 180W will see limits to overclocking and turbo boosting, but they should nonetheless work correctly. New boards built for the second-gen parts should offer a bit more headroom.
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