AMD Ryzen Threadripper release date, news and features: everything you need to know

Updated: AMD has finally announced the official launch date of its Ryzen Threadripper processors as well as a new addition to the processor family.

Earlier this year, AMD launched its highly successful Ryzen line of processors, and it’s not stopping there, with news that it's preparing to launch a 16-core (32-thread) processor named ‘Threadripper’, aimed at enthusiasts and high-end desktop PCs.

This news came after rumors emerged that AMD’s competitor, Intel, was lining up a series of Core i9 processors, with the top-of-the-range Core i9-7920X coming with 12 cores (24 threads). 

Processors that have more cores and threads are able to handle more tasks at once – which means these CPUs are more adept at multitasking. 

• For a selection of portable powerhouses, these are the best laptops

CPUs with very high core counts have been present in servers and enterprise machines for a while now, but it looks like the new processor arms race between AMD and Intel is bringing mega-core processors to home PCs. 

Here’s everything we know about the AMD Ryzen Threadripper line, including release date, price evaluation and other bits of info.

Cut to the chase

• What is it? AMD’s uber-powerful 8-, 12- and 16-core processors
• When is it out? August 10, 2017
• What will it cost? Starts at $549 (about £420, AU$690)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper release date

AMD Ryzen Threadripper first two processors the 1950X and 1920X will arrive on August 10th. Meanwhile, the company's recently announced Ryzen Threadripper 1900X processor is due to come by August 31st.

AMD Ryzen 9 Threadripper price

Despite not yet being available for purchase, we do have firm details on what price the AMD Ryzen 9 Threadrippers will release at. They’re not cheap, but you can expect to pay less for more performance than you would get with a comparable Intel chip. 

Whereas the 16-core Ryzen Threadripper 1950X will retail at $999 (around £770, AU$1,295), the Threadripper 1920X will boast 12 cores and sell for $799 (around £615, AU$1,035). Lastly, the Threadripper 1900X will launch with a $549 (about £420, AU$690) price.

Meanwhile Intel’s closest competitor to the 1950X, the Core i9-7960X, sets users back a whole $1,699 (around £1,315, AU$2,200) while the 12-core i9-7920X is $1,189 (around £920, AU$1,500). The Threadripper 1900X's closes octo-core competitor from Intel is the Core i7-7820X that retails for $599 (£529, AU$869).

AMD Ryzen Threadripper specs and power

So far, we officially know the AMD Ryzen 9 Threadripper series will feature "up to 16 cores and 32 threads", with the Ryzen Threadripper 1950X serving as the posterchild for these specs. The 1920X, on the other hand, will be limited to 12 cores and 24 threads. Lastly, the 1900X will serive up 8 cores and 16 threads.

As for how fast those cores will run, the Ryzen Threadripper 1950X can be found running at a base clock of 3.4GHz and a boost clock of 4.0GHz. At the same time, the Threadripper 1920X runs at a base/boost clock of 3.5/4.0GHz. Finally, the 1900X runs at a base/boost clock of 3.8/4.0GHz.

To put this into perspective, the Intel Core i9-7960X has packs the same 32 threads and 16 cores as the Threadripper 1950X and so on and so forth with the Intel Core i9-7920X vs Threadripper 1920X and Intel Core i7-7820X vs Threadripper 1900X we've setup.

The Threadripper series will use AMD’s SMT (Simultaneous Multi-Threading) technology found in other Ryzen chips. Finally, the Ryzen Threadripper series processors will use a TP3 socket, which is a modified variant of the SP3 socket originally designed for AMD’s beefy server chips that go up to 32 cores.

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