Like its 3rd generation consumer desktop Ryzen sibling, both the 3rd generation Ryzen Threadripper CPUs are based on AMD’s 7nm Zen 2 CPU architecture. Breaking it down further, the 3960X features a 24-cores, 48-threads layout, has base clock of 3.8GHz, and a 140MB cache. The 3970X, which is the top-tier of the two, comes with a 32-cores, 64-threads layout, has a base clock of 3.7GHz, and a slightly larger 144MB cache. Regardless of the model, both CPUs have a maximum boost clock of 4.5GHz. Like the consumer Ryzen CPUs as well, both Threadripper CPUs are designed to work with the latest PCIe 4.0 interface.
That also means that the CPUs will run on a new TRX40 platform and a new sRTX4 socket. Due to the new platform requirement, AMD confirmed with us that the new HEDT CPUs will not support cross-compatibility with the older TR4 motherboard. AMD says the change was necessary if it were to keep both the 3960X and 3970X scalable. On the subject of the TRX40 platform, AMD says that it will have up to 72 PCIe 4.0 lanes available, support for a quad-channel DDR4-3200 memory controller, up to four USB 3.2 Gen2 ports, and a choice between four general PCIe 4.0 slots, NVMe, or SATA ports. In terms of performance, the TRX40 platform will have quadruple the bandwidth compared to its 2nd generation Ryzen Threadripper CPUs.
As mentioned earlier, both the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X and 3970X will be available at the end of this month. In terms of price, the 3960X will retail for US$1399 (~RM5769), while the 3970X will retail for US$1999 (~RM8244). We had asked AMD about the purported 64-cores, 128-threads Threadripper CPU. Sadly, it wasn’t able to provide us with any details.
