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For high-end desktops, AMD released its Threadripper processors. However, it also made headlines with a less expensive AMD Ryzen TR 1900X, an 8C/16T variant that plugs onto motherboards based on the X399 architecture. According to the manufacturer, the 1900X is a great starting point for people who may eventually want one of the other Threadripper processors.

The main elements of AMD’s value proposition are now well known to everyone: you get more cores for less money, more reasonably priced motherboards, and all of its architecture’s features. Even though it has the same amount of cores as its closest Intel rival (at a similar MSRP, no less), is housed on a very expensive motherboard, and is more expensive than the “mainstream” Ryzen 7 1800X, another eight-core competitor, Ryzen Threadripper 1900X upholds this idea.

AMD Ryzen TR 1900X Specifications

The Ryzen Threadripper 1900X has an unlocked base frequency that can be overclocked to 3.8 GHz. The 1900X was a member of AMD’s Summit Ridge family of processors and was produced using a 14 nm manufacturing process. The Threadripper 1900X has demonstrated respectable performance in a number of benchmarks, especially when operating on multiple cores: 2.02 in Cinebench R11.5 64-bit (single-core) and 19.21 (multi-core); 15,633 in PassMark CPU Mark; and 4,400 in Geekbench 3 (single-core) and 32,751 in total (multi-core).

The AMD Ryzen TR 1900X has the highest base clock speed among AMD’s Threadripper processors, at 3.8 GHz. And if your cooler is robust enough, it can rise to 4.2 GHz. With the help of two dual-channel memory controllers, there is a ton of aggregate bandwidth available, in addition to support for up to 512GB of DDR4. That is one important benefit over the dual-channel controller on the 1800X. ECC UDIMMS are also supported by the 1900X. In addition, Ryzen Threadripper 1900X offers more USB ports and up to 64 PCIe 3.0 lanes than Ryzen 7 1800X, which is only capable of 16 PCIe lanes.

Why is there so much additional I/O important? Power users with numerous GPUs, video capture cards, or sizable NVMe-based storage arrays may find it beneficial. Another illustration of AMD’s more extensive feature set is its bootable NVMe RAID 0, 1, and 10 for up to 10 associated SSDs, in contrast to Intel, which requires an additional purchase of a vROC (Virtual RAID-on-CPU) dongle to access all of its features.

The Ryzen 7 1800X and AMD Ryzen TR 1900X have very different architectures, as well. In a word, all four quad-core CCXes and two dies are shared by the larger Threadripper variants. But AMD limits the 1900X’s active cores to a single CCX inside each die in an effort to reduce a layer of latency.

Because each CCX has an 8MB shared L3 cache, turning off two CCXes also frees up a significant amount of last-level storage. The 1900X now only has 16MB of L3 overall, compared to up to 32MB in the larger Threadripper variants. Fortunately, the memory and I/O controllers of the entry-level device remain unchanged.

It’s interesting to see that AMD still suggests using the eight-core 1900X’s Game Mode. By using this setup, data processing is limited to the local die and its connected memory controller (NUMA). Additionally, to eliminate die-to-die latency, one die is software-deactivated. Thus, AMD’s Game Mode converts this very powerful CPU into a 4C/8T configuration, much as AMD’s Ryzen 5 1500X and 1400.

AMD nevertheless maintains the 1900X’s TDP at 180W, the same as the 12-core 1920X and 16-core 1950X, in spite of its reductions. This value is significantly higher than the 140W rating of the Core i7-7820X and the 95W TDP of the Ryzen 7 1800X. You must provide your own cooling, just like with previous Threadripper versions, as AMD does not include one. When it comes to overclocking, the business made a wise choice by using Indium solder between its dies and heat spreader.

The cost of X399 motherboards, which are much more expensive than X370-based platforms, complicates the 1900X’s value narrative. So before spending a lot of money on Ryzen Threadripper 1900X, stick with AMD’s Socket AM4-based CPUs if you’re just a gamer.

AMD Ryzen TR 1900X Specs

Platform	Boxed Processor
# of CPU Cores	8
Base Clock	3.8GHz
L3 Cache	16MB
Unlocked for Overclocking	Yes
Max. Operating Temperature (Tjmax)	68°C
Product Family	AMD Ryzen™ Processors
# of Threads	16
L1 Cache	768KB
Default TDP	180W
CPU Socket	sTR4
Launch Date	8/31/2017
Product Line	AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ Processors
Max. Boost Clock	Up to 4.0GHz
L2 Cache	4MB
Processor Technology for CPU Cores	14nm
Thermal Solution (PIB)	Not included
*OS Support	Windows 10 – 64-Bit EditionRHEL x86 64-BitUbuntu x86 64-Bit*Operating System (OS) support will vary by manufacturer.

AMD Ryzen TR 1900X Performance & Tests

The AMD Ryzen TR 1900X and 1800X both give comparable performance levels in Grand Theft Auto, both at stock and overclocked settings. A Ryzen 7 1800X running in stock mode cannot match the performance of a 1900X running in Creator Mode.

The 1920X outperforms Intel’s Core i7-7820X when it is overclocked, but tweaking gives Intel a commanding advantage.

In comparison to the common Ryzen 7 1800X, the AMD Ryzen TR 1900X performs poorly in our Hitman benchmark, registering lower average and minimum frame rates. The difference between AMD and Intel chips is much more obvious, however we anticipate that it will close with higher resolutions.

In this mostly graphics-focused test, Ryzen Threadripper 1920X and 1900X place at the top of the list.

The highest clock speeds do tend to perform best in Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, which makes AMD’s narrow victory against the overclocked Core i7 all the more remarkable.

The CPU performance in a turn-based strategy game is measured by the Civilization VI AI test. After tuning, Intel’s Core i7-7820X takes the lead, while AMD’s lineup is led by the overclocked Threadripper 1920X. Although Ryzen Threadripper 1900X performs better in Game Mode, overclocking just slightly improves performance.

AMD Ryzen TR 1900X Final Thoughts

AMD’s Ryzen 5 and 7 CPUs, which are based on the Socket AM4 platform, are more appropriate for you than Ryzen Threadripper if you prioritize gaming above all else and don’t plan to use them for semi-professional tasks. Similar frame rates may be obtained by moderately overclocking a $220 Ryzen 5 1600 processor. Of course, Intel might argue that its Coffee Lake-based Core i5s, which range in price from $200 to $300, are even better. The key is that you have a variety of excellent gaming options before ever having to think about buying a $500 Threadripper 1900X and an outrageously costly motherboard.

The four memory channels on the AMD Ryzen TR 1900X must be used, which necessitates purchasing a quad-channel DDR4 kit. The absolute cheapest motherboard with a TR4 now costs $340. Then there are the platforms. A typical model costs around $400.

Naturally, AMD claims that its Ryzen Threadripper 1900X is the most affordable method to use its X399 architecture, and it is. We are unable to assign this specialized option much fanatic value, though. If performance is your top priority, there are options that are quicker and less expensive. Thus, Threadripper 1900X doesn’t particularly appeal to us. Please, AMD, don’t get upset if we bring flowers to Ryzen 7 1800X, this chip’s more attractive sister.