AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation release date, news, and rumors

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation processors are out in the wild. AMD has finally released its first two next generation HEDT processors, following the success of the Ryzen 3rd Generation processors. 

The new Zen 2 architecture was revealed at CES 2019, with AMD promising dramatically improved efficiency and performance, thanks to the new 7nm manufacturing process. This is the architecture behind the latest Ryzen processors like the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X, and sees performance jump up dramatically, thanks to a 15% boost to IPC (instructions per clock). In fact, new benchmarks for the upcoming 64-core Threadripper 3990X CPU shows it outperforming Intel’s Xeon Platinum 8280 processors.

There will be more new information coming out about AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3000 chips over the next few months, especially since we still haven’t seen the mysterious Threadripper 3rd Generation chip recently appeared – though this could be Threadripper 3970X, which just boasts a higher boost clock. So, be sure to keep this page bookmarked, and we'll keep it updated with all the latest Threadripper news.

Cut to the chase

• What is it? AMD’s next line of HEDT processors
• When is it out? Out since November 25, 2019
• What will it cost? Starting at $1,399

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation release date

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd-generation chips first rolled out in November 25, 2019, alongside the much-anticipated Ryzen 9 3950X, starting the line off with Threadripper 3960X and the 32-core Threadripper 3970X. But, because AMD is never one to quit early, it followed up the 3970X with the absolutely jaw-dropping AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X - a 64-thread behemoth - at CES 2020. 

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation price

Now that two AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd-generation chips are out and another one is on its way soon, we have the pricing information on them.

The original lineup of Threadripper topped out with the $999 (£999, AU$1,439) AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X, but the second generation introduced surprisingly lower priced replacements. There were also two higher specced – and higher priced – additions. 

The Ryzen Threadripper 3rd-generation have received a considerable price bump from the previous generations, however, so if you’re thinking of upgrading, be ready to spend more. The pricing for them are as follows:

• AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X: $1,399 (about £1,070, AU$2,000)
• AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X: $1,999 (about £1,525, AU$2,860)
• AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X: $3,990 (about £3,050, AU$5,715)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation specs

With AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation, you’ll see a huge bump in core counts, efficiency and per-core performance with Threadripper 3rd Generation. If you need a refresher on last year’s Threadripper lineup’s specs they’re as follows:

• Ryzen Threadripper 2920X: 12-cores, 24-threads, clocked at 3.5GHz to 4.3GHz
• Ryzen Threadripper 2950X: 16-cores, 32-threads, clocked at 3.5GHz to 4.4GHz
• Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX: 24-cores, 48-threads, clocked at 3.0GHz to 4.2GHz
• Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX: 32-cores, 64-threads, clocked at 3.0GHz to 4.2GHz

We knew that the Threadripper 3rd Generation will start with a 24-core processor built on AMD's 7nm Zen 2 architecture. With its Ryzen 3rd Generation processors, the move to 7nm has massively improved specs, not only resulting in higher core counts, but boosted clock speeds, much higher cache and lower power consumption. So, we also knew that performance on the Threadripper 3rd Generation was going to be massively improved.

Two of these chips have been out for more or less a couple of months now, with one more on the way, so that’s obviously confirmed. We’re also glad to see the leaked 32-core make an appearance, with even higher base and boost clocks. These are the specs of the three confirmed AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation chips below:

• Ryzen Threadripper 3960X: 24-cores, 48-threads, clocked at 3.8GHz to 4.5GHz
• Ryzen Threadripper 3970X: 32-cores, 64-threads, clocked at 3.7GHz to 4.5GHz
• Ryzen Threadripper 3990X: 64-cores, 128-threads, clocked at 2.9GHz to 4.3GHz

AMD Zen 2 processors feature up to 8-core chiplets that are smaller than the IO die. This allows the Threadripper 3rd Generation to have many more cores in the same amount of space. We also know that this new range of CPUs uses the new TRX40 chipset and the new sTRX4 socket, which means you’ll need a new motherboard.

Because Intel’s Cascade Lake-X HEDT processors are built, yet again, on its 14nm process, AMD has effectively claimed the HEDT throne, and Intel has little hope of claiming it back. In fact, AMD has thrashed Intel so harshly here that Team Blue had to cut its prices in half.

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