AMD will bring its eight-channel Threadripper Pro systems to the retail market, opening the segment. Previously, the eight-channel Threadripper Pro variant was only available to OEMs (we have an analysis coming up on one of these Lenovo systems, compared to the 3990X).
AMD’s Threadripper and Threadripper Pro platforms are designed for professionals who need more power than a typical desktop platform can provide. While AMD’s top-of-the-line Ryzen 9 5950X offers 16 cores, a TR or TR Pro system can pack up to 64. In addition, Threadripper Pro uses the WRX80 chipset, which packs up to eight memory channels (regular TR reaches four):
Several motherboard manufacturers are launching cards on the market to support the new CPU. The Supermicro M12SWA-TF is an E-ATX motherboard with no less than six full-size PCIe 4.0 slots, four PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots and a pair of U.2 slots. M.2 slots support RAID 0, 1 and 5, while U.2 supports RAID 0 and 1. There is also a BMC ASpeed AST2600 controller for IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) access.
The Supermicro M12SWA-TF, also shown above.
The card is capable of supporting three two- or three-slot GPUs. The rear panel shows a series of USB 3.2 Gen 2, USB 3.2 Gen 1, dual ethernet and an ALC4050 HD sound solution from Realtek, along with an ALC1220. The Ethernet ports are powered by an Aquantia AQC113C (10GbE) and an Intel I120-AT (2.5GbE).
There are also signs coming from Asus and Gigabyte, but as we have no information about them, except for leaks, we will abstain from comments for now. AMD has yet to announce a Threadripper CPU with the Ryzen 5000 series, but those CPUs are likely to arrive later this year, when Milan is ready. Historically, AMD has tended to update its server platform before releasing new Threadripper chips. We don’t expect higher core counts this year, but we will get all the benefits of Zen 3’s 1.19x IPC enhancement when that happens. Meanwhile, if you have a workload that you know can benefit from more memory channels than a standard Threadripper offers, Threadripper Pro will be available through the retail channel later this year.
We do not talk about the desktop market as something separate from the desktop, because it is more difficult to obtain detailed figures specifically in this area. The fact that Intel cut prices for Cascade Lake Xeon in 2019, after several years of standing firm in the face of Threadripper’s rise, suggested that the chip giant was more concerned about its competitive position. Overall desktop sales fell sharply in 2020, with shipments growing and shifting to laptops, so it’s not clear how it affected the overall desktop space.
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