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With the Ryzen Threadripper family and Ryzen Threadripper 2000 series released this August, AMD methodically dismantled Intel’s entire Core X range of high-end desktop (HEDT) CPUs. The business introduced 16-core and 32-core Threadripper parts in its initial round, and today it is introducing the 12-core Threadripper 2920X and 24-core Threadripper 2970WX, which add two more alternatives.

During same time, the company also unveiled the Dynamic Local Mode feature for its 24-core and 32-core Threadripper WX family, which aids end users in overcoming many of the design issues with the multi-chip module (MCM), wherein half the dies lack local memory access.

Intel has historically outperformed AMD in terms of HEDT processor core counts. Intel introduced 12-core, 14-core, 16-core, and 18-core LGA2066 processors by utilizing its “Skylake-X” HCC (high core-count) technology. Performance-wise, the 14-through-18 core SKUs outperform the first-generation Threadrippers due to better IPC and shorter latencies brought on by the monolithic die design.

In terms of price-performance, AMD’s 12-core and 16-core first-generation Threadrippers outperformed Intel’s 8-core and 10-core SKUs. Thus, we now have new 24-core and 32-core Threadripper 2000WX components from AMD. This meant leaving the $1000-$2000 market uncontested, for which Intel had already built a use-case (prosumers who need a lot of multi-threaded performance but don’t want to spend a lot of money on workstations with 2P Xeons). The new Core X 9000-series processors are not architecturally novel, but we haven’t yet had a chance to test them.

This review examines the 12-core Ryzen Threadripper 2920X processor. Similar to its predecessor, the Threadripper 1920X from a year ago, the TR 2920X accomplishes 12 cores by having a multi-chip module of two 8-core dies with six cores each, which are in this case 12 nm “Pinnacle Ridge” dies. The two dies have a 3+3 CCX arrangement on each one. You receive faster clock speeds and all of the brand-new “Zen+” micro-architecture capabilities. Additionally, AMD is launching this chip with a SEP of $649, which is $150 less than the 1920X’s SEP.

AMD Ryzen TR 2920X Specifications

This part has 24 threads and 12 cores. Its base frequency is 3.5 GHz, while its maximum turbo frequency is 4.3 GHz. The cost of this CPU will be $649 USD. The TDP of this processor at maximum load is 180 Watts. 

However, compared to the 2950X, the Threadripper 2920X has four fewer cores, eight fewer threads, and a 100MHz lower maximum boost frequency. Even so, it has the potential to reach 4.3GHz, and when combined with AMD’s improved boosting algorithms, the Threadripper 2950X has already demonstrated that AMD isn’t relenting in its efforts to put pressure on Intel at the top end, outperforming the 1950X across the board in both lightly-threaded and multi-threaded applications. In terms of I/O, it is unmatched in Intel’s lineup at $649 and offers the full 64 PCIe lanes of the X399 platform, which are currently only available on Intel’s Core i9-7900X and higher models. However, this is expected to change with the introduction of the new 9000-series HEDT CPUs, which will offer the full number of lanes all the way down the stack.

AMD Ryzen TR 2920X Specs

Platform	Boxed Processor
# of CPU Cores	12
Base Clock	3.5GHz
L3 Cache	32MB
Unlocked for Overclocking	Yes
Max. Operating Temperature (Tjmax)	68°C
Product Family	AMD Ryzen™ Processors
# of Threads	24
L1 Cache	1.125MB
Default TDP	180W
CPU Socket	sTR4
Launch Date	10/18
Product Line	AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ Processors
Max. Boost Clock	Up to 4.3GHz
L2 Cache	6MB
Processor Technology for CPU Cores	12nm
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 2920X Benchmarks

Oddly enough, despite having twice as many cores, the Threadripper 2970WX and the 2920X perform very similarly when comparing the total performance rating. There are just too many cores and threads for many programs to handle. Given that the number of cores is rising, we anticipate software developers to eventually adjust to this evolution, which could change once they start optimizing their apps in accordance.

The cost of AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper 2920X and Intel’s octa-core Core i9-9900K is relatively similar. Due to its significantly better single-core performance, it was able to exceed AMD’s 12-core CPU in our performance ranking by 6%. It outperformed the 2920X by 20% in Cinebench R15’s single-thread test, while AMD’s rival was 29% faster in the multithread test.

To measure a CPU’s capacity for continuous load, we repeatedly execute the multithread test in Cinebench R15. With an average clock frequency of 3.76 GHz, the test’s average power consumption was 149.7 W. Peak temperature was near to 60 °C, which was acceptable because there was an AIO cooler and 240 mm radiator in place. The CPU performed admirably in this test, scoring over 2,600 points on average with three glaring decreases in performance. These are thought to have been brought on by incidental activities. Overall, the AMD Ryzen TR 2920X displayed no symptoms of throttling or overheating under prolonged load.

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X is a very fast competitor and gives ample of performance for working and gaming, as has already been noted numerous times in this review. The 12-core CPU even defeated its 24-core sister in PCMark 10. We assume that with that many cores, PCMark no longer scales particularly effectively. In regular use, the system seemed quick and fluid with no discernible latency.

For all X399 motherboards, AMD launched a utility called “StoreMi” as part of their second-generation Threadripper processor. This utility creates a single drive out of up to two storage devices and up to 2 GB of RAM. Then, after examining each user’s unique usage habits, it stores frequently used programs and files on the quicker storage media.

AMD Ryzen TR 2920X Gaming tests

Our tests have proved that AMD’s attention to gamers and people who prefer to stream their gameplay for the AMD Ryzen TR 2920X and 2950X is more than simply a publicity ploy. The AMD Ryzen TR 2920X ran about 10% quicker than the Threadripper 2970WX, which has a total of 24 cores and thus, on paper, has substantially higher multithread performance (performance rating). The Core i9-9900K from Intel was 10% quicker. The major flaw with AMD’s Threadripper platform is that it costs a lot more than AMD’s AM4-based Ryzen 5 and 7 processors, which are likewise incredibly fast and can be thought of as a secret weapon for gamers.

A strong overall performance should be especially important to gamers who live-stream their gameplay, and the 2920X delivers. This processor can handle a ton of background work while still being excellent for gaming. The update won’t be evident if you already use a first-generation Threadripper. But now that the cost of the first-gen is probably going to fall down, we strongly advise giving that more thought as well.

AMD Ryzen TR 2920X Final Thoughts

For your threading requirements, AMD once more offers a multi-core solution. Things are more challenging this time around for the 2920X specifically because its price is similar to that of the Core i9 9900K. With four more cores, AMD provides more value, and for your threaded needs, that will make a bigger difference.

However, because to the high clock rates, Intel can compete well with the 9900K at 8 cores. In terms of gaming, AMD is now much behind Intel in the enthusiast class graphics card market. This is entirely because of the more complex multi-chip design and the requirement for higher clock rates. I have some doubts about the popularity of the 12 core parts since I believe that most consumers will wait until the 7nm dies arrive next year, which should result in higher per-core clock rates for the whole Ryzen and Threadripper series. I’m trying to suggest that once you acquire a 16 or more core part, threadripper probably makes the most sense. Anything less than that is simply too competitive with Intel’s most recent Coffee Lake processors and the Ryzen 7 range.