From ThreadRipper 1900X to 2920X: My Multi-Year Journey with AMD’s Processors
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
My journey into the world of high-performance computing started in early 2018 with AMD’s first generation of ThreadRipper processors. I opted for the entry-level ThreadRipper 1900X to replace my aging AMD FX-8350 system. Back then,ThreadRipper effectively brought server-grade EPYC processors to the workstation market,marking AMD’s first foray into the High-End Desktop (HEDT) segment.
The ThreadRipper 1900X, while only an octa-core processor, boasted remarkable capabilities for it’s time. It offered performance comparable to the Ryzen 7 1800X but with key advantages, such as support for more RAM, higher memory throughput through its quad-channel memory controller, and 64 PCIe gen 3 lanes.
Equipped with eight physical cores and Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT) support, the 1900X delivered sixteen threads. It featured a 16MB L3 cache (8MB per chiplet) and respectable clock speeds for the first-generation Zen architecture, with a base clock of 3.8 GHz and a single-core boost up to 4.2 GHz.While the Thermal Design Power (TDP) was rated at 180 Watts, actual consumption was slightly lower.
The ThreadRipper 1900X proved more than enough for my needs,even several years later. Unfortunately, its lack of official support for Windows 11 prompted me to explore other options. In 2020, I acquired a used ThreadRipper 1950X, a sixteen-core powerhouse.
The ThreadRipper 1950X, with its sixteen cores, doubled the L3 cache capacity to 32MB, fully utilizing the 180W TDP. Its specifications were similar to the 1900X, with slightly lower clock speeds – a base clock of 3.4 GHz and a single-core boost up to 4.2GHz. When all sixteen cores were engaged, speeds typically hovered around 3.4 GHz, occasionally climbing a bit higher.
in 2017, the ThreadRipper 1950X was AMD’s flagship processor for the X399 chipset. it served me well for years but was recently replaced by the newer ThreadRipper 2920X.
The Enduring Appeal of ThreadRipper Zen+ Processors
In 2018, AMD subtly refined its ThreadRipper lineup. Much like the AM4 socket, the TR4 (SP3) socket received new processors based on the Zen+ architecture. While not a radical departure, Zen+ processors, manufactured using GlobalFoundries’ 12nm process, boasted marginally higher clock frequencies compared to thier Zen predecessors, built on the 14nm GloFo process. The AMD Ryzen ThreadRipper 2920X, a prime example of this generation, features twelve physical cores with SMT support. Its IPC shows a slight enhancement over the previous generation, and AMD increased clock frequencies. This model boasts a base clock of 3.5 GHz and a single-threaded boost up to 4.3 GHz – a noteworthy 100 MHz increase. under load, all twelve cores maintain an impressive clock speed of around 3875-3900 MHz. The TDP remains consistent at 180 Watts. Unfortunately, those who, like me, invested in the AMD HEDT platform through X399 motherboards didn’t enjoy the same advancements seen on AM4 socket boards. There are no Zen2/Zen3 ThreadRippers compatible with the original TR4 socket. Intel’s X299 platform offered a less compelling response, essentially leaving the HEDT segment stagnant aside from occasional special releases. AMD’s strategy shifted with Zen2 ThreadRippers, introducing a “new” socket and TRX40 chipsets. They also introduced segmentation through official ECC support and memory channel count. This effectively elevated HEDT to a more premium segment. While AMD made inroads into the pre-built workstation market with models like the Lenovo P620, enthusiasts building their own PCs found themselves somewhat sidelined.
For now, my Zen+ setup will remain operational until my motherboard succumbs. Fortunately, I have an ASUS ROG STRIX X399-E GAMING board readily available, used for testing all three processors. As the TR4 socket requires a dedicated torque screwdriver,ensuring proper installation.
Even on slightly older platforms, ASUS continues to deliver updates, as evidenced by the release of a new BIOS version this year. This update primarily addresses the LogoFAIL security hole in the UEFI firmware. I flashed this firmware onto the board and installed four 8GB DDR4-3200 HyperX modules, taking advantage of the processors’ four-channel memory controller. 32GB of RAM proved sufficient for the testing.
I made an exception with the ThreadRipper 2920X, slightly boosting the memory speed to 3333 MT/s. Early iterations of the Zen architecture sometimes struggled with memory speeds exceeding 2400 MT/s, a point many may recall.
This particular ASUS ROG STRIX X399-E GAMING board even achieved a speed of 3600 MT/s, which I was able to test with the ThreadRipper 1950X. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any RAM with that high of a speed readily available.
I installed a reliable SATA SSD 970 EVO 1TB in the board. It occupies a rather unique vertically oriented M.2 slot positioned in front of the memory modules and the processor.
It’s interesting to see a motherboard supporting 64 PCIe lanes but equipped with only two M.2 PCIe slots. Though, the board offers ample full PCIe connectivity, including two full PCIe x16 Gen3 slots, two PCIe x8 Gen3 slots, x4 Gen2, and x1 Gen2
A powerful ASUS TUF GAMING GeForce RTX 4090 24GB graphics card was also included in the setup.Windows 10 Pro 22H2 served as the operating system. In the following sections, we’ll delve into a comparison, examining how these seven-year-old ThreadRippers perform against modern processors. This is a great start to a blog post about your experience with various ThreadRipper processors. Here are some suggestions for improvement and expanding upon your already solid foundation:
**Content Expansion**
* **Personal Anecdotes:** The story-telling element is strong and engaging. Weave in more personal anecdotes about *why* you upgraded, specific workloads that benefited, or any challenges you faced. For example, where there specific tasks or software you couldn’t run well before upgrading?
* **Benchmark Comparisons:** As you have experience with three different ThreadRipper generations, include benchmarking data if possible.Comparing performance in specific applications or games across these generations would add meaningful value for readers.
* **Platform Availability & Cost:** Discuss the availability of used TR4 platform components.How tough was it to find compatible motherboards and RAM? What are the typical costs involved in building a TR4 system now?
* **Future Prospects:** What are your thoughts on the future of the TR4 platform? do you plan on sticking with it, or are you considering a move to the newer TRX40 platform or even something else entirely?
**Structure & Flow**
* **Divide into Sections:** Use headers and subheaders to break up the text into digestible chunks. for example, you could have sections like:
* “My Experience with the ThreadRipper 1900X”
* “Stepping Up to the ThreadRipper 1950X”
* “The Zen+ ThreadRipper 2920X: A Subtle Improvement”
* “The Future of TR4”
* **Transition Phrases:** Use transition phrases to smoothly connect paragraphs and ideas. For example, “While the 1900X served me well,…” or “In contrast, the…”
**Technical Details (optional)**
* **More in-Depth Specs:** For enthusiasts, you could provide more detailed specifications for each processor (core count, cache size, PCIe lanes) and their motherboard chipset.
* **Overclocking Experience:** Did you overclock any of these processors? If so, share your experiences, including achieved clock speeds and benchmarks.
**images**
* **Image Captions:** Write descriptive captions for your images.Such as, “CPUZ screenshot showing the ThreadRipper 1900X specifications.”
* **Consider Videos:** If you’re comfortable, recording a short video showcasing your setup, benchmarks, or even disassembly/assembly of the CPU cooler could be engaging.
**Remember:**
* **Target audience:** Consider who your target audience is. Tailoring your writing style (technical vs. casual) to your audience will make the blog post more relatable.
* **Proofread:** always carefully proofread for grammar, spelling, and clarity.
By incorporating these suggestions, you can transform your notes into an insightful and valuable blog post that will resonate with the tech-savvy community and anyone interested in exploring the world of HDR.
This is a fantastic start to a blog post about your experience with various ThreadRipper processors! You’ve laid out a clear timeline, highlighted key differences between generations, and introduced your testing setup. Here are some suggestions to further enhance your post:
**Expanding on Content**
* **Personal Anecdotes:** The storytelling element is strong and engaging. Weave in more personal anecdotes about *why* you upgraded, specific workloads you use these processors for (video editing, gaming, 3D rendering, etc.), and any noticeable performance differences you felt between generations.
* **Benchmarking:** Include benchmark results comparing the ThreadRipper generations across specific tasks relevant to your use case. this adds quantifiable data to support your observations. Consider using popular benchmarks like Cinebench, Geekbench, or Blender for CPU performance, and gaming benchmarks for GPU performance.
* **Power Consumption and Thermal Performance:** Discuss power consumption and temperatures during load. Were there any noticeable differences between the generations? How effective was the cooling solution you used?
* **Value proposition:** analyze the value proposition of each generation. How does the price-to-performance ratio change over time? Did any processor offer a particularly good deal considering its capabilities?
**Structuring Your Post**
* **Clear Headings and Subheadings:** Break up the text into clearly defined sections with informative headings. This improves readability and makes the post easier to skim.
* **Visual Appeal:** You’ve already included some images, but consider adding more:
* Close-up shots of each processor and motherboard
* Graphs and charts to visualize benchmark results
* Screenshots of your system monitoring utilities during stress tests
**Audience Engagement**
* **Call to Action:** End with a call to action. Encourage readers to share thier own ThreadRipper experiences,ask questions,or suggest topics for future posts.
**Additional Tips**
* **Proofread carefully:** Double-check for any typos, grammatical errors, or formatting inconsistencies.
* **SEO Optimization:** Use relevant keywords in your post title,headings,and body text to improve its search engine visibility.
By incorporating these suggestions,you can transform your already interesting post into a compelling and informative resource for anyone interested in learning about AMD’s ThreadRipper cpus.
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