2019 is clearly AMD’s greatest E3 ever, with a slew of latest info rolling out on the upcoming Radeon RX 5700 collection (aka “Navi”) GPUs, together with a mixture of reheated and blockbuster data about chips primarily based on the corporate’s refresh of the Zen CPU structure, “Zen 2.”
Why do we are saying “reheated”? A few of what PCMag was briefed on relating to new merchandise primarily based on Zen 2, at personal classes simply earlier than E3, we beforehand reported throughout AMD’s Computex keynote again in late Could. However there have been some key new additions this time round. For one, the introduction of a beforehand unmentioned mega-CPU: the 16-core Ryzen 9 3950X. Additionally within the offing? Extra particulars on two of AMD’s next-gen APUs (that’s, its Ryzen CPUs with onboard graphics), code-named “Picasso.” And rather more element about Zen 2 itself.
Extra Cores Than We would Know What to Do With
First, let’s speak concerning the large chip. Billed because the “world’s first 16-core gaming CPU,” the Ryzen 9 3950X will function 16 cores and 32 threads, and function on the identical AM4 socket as the remainder of the brand new third Technology Ryzens. The bottom clock can be three.5GHz, with a lift clock of four.7GHz, and the chip could have 72MB of complete cache and an influence restrict of simply 105 watts TDP. And whereas we might wish to inform you extra concerning the 3950X, AMD was very tight-lipped on any extra velocity specifics, past what we noticed in that one slide you see right here.
The Ryzen 9 3950X can be an intriguing chip within the AMD line. It’ll overlap on core depend and thread depend with the guts of the corporate’s Ryzen Threadripper silicon, notably the Ryzen Threadripper 2950X, one among our favourite CPUs from a uncooked cores-for-money POV. This new 16-core beast being on the AMD AM4 platform, although, adjustments the worth dynamic; Threadripper’s TR4-socket/X399-chipset platform has a presumptive greater value of entry.
Past the brand new 16-core chip, AMD spoke at size concerning the developments made within the Zen 2 structure which have made their method into each new gaming-focused third Technology Ryzen CPU from the corporate, together with the Ryzen 5, the Ryzen 7, and the opposite Ryzen 9s with fewer cores.
Quicker, Cooler, and Backward-Appropriate
A lot ado was made concerning the energy and thermal enhancements achieved by Zen 2, and rightfully so. If its claims pan out, AMD has achieved one thing revolutionary with Zen 2, which (in keeping with the corporate’s personal supplies, thoughts you) sports activities 75 p.c higher efficiency per watt (PPW) versus the earlier technology of Ryzen processors, and simply over 55 p.c higher PPW versus competing Intel CPU variants.
One other nod of the top goes to the key architectural accomplishment that makes all Zen 2 CPUs to some extent backward-compatible with older Socket AM4 motherboards, at the very least again to motherboards primarily based on the X470 and B450 chipsets. (Some X370 and B350 boards may even help the 3000-series Ryzen chips, relying on the board and BIOS.) AMD is sustaining some compatibility with earlier motherboards, because it has promised it will in years previous.
Although we will not say for certain why AMD engineers determined to go the “rather more troublesome” (their phrases) route to maintain Zen 2 suitable with Socket AM4, primarily based on what we heard this weekend, we speculate it was probably a choice of economics on the corporate’s half. (We requested about it throughout one of many breakout classes in our briefings, however have been advised the spokes-folks could not communicate to it.) By retaining compatibility with AM4, the barrier to entry on Zen 2 processors may very well be decrease for anybody who already owns a late-model AM4-ready motherboard.
That stated, solely those that purchase into the brand-new line of motherboards primarily based on the AMD X570 chipset could have entry to the total slate of what Zen 2 brings, assisted partially by the leap from PCI Specific three.Zero to PCI Specific four.Zero know-how. (See our information to all of the X570 boards we noticed at Computex 2019.) X570 motherboards will function as much as 36 usable PCI Specific four.Zero lanes, and 44 complete PCI Specific four.Zero lanes. Notice, although, that PCI Specific four.Zero is extra of a forward-looking tech than anything; the bandwidth enhance will solely probably profit coming four.Zero-compatible SSDs within the close to time period.
Intel within the Crosshairs
Although it ought to come as no shock, AMD has been centered squarely on outperforming Intel ninth Technology desktop processors with its newest improve to the Zen structure. Although we haven’t any benchmarks, even AMD-selective ones, on the Ryzen 9 3950X, AMD was very happy to share a few of its personal numbers towards Intel’s processor household for a few of its Ryzen 9, Ryzen 7, and Ryzen 5 Zen 2 upgrades.
First off, AMD was eager to pair off its new chips towards sure different ones from the Intel ninth Technology lineup…
As such, the early AMD-provided benchmarks we noticed focused particular CPUs in Intel’s line, such because the Ryzen 9 3900X versus the Intel Core i9-9900Ok….
…or the Ryzen 7 3800X versus the Intel Core i7-9700Ok….
…or the Ryzen 5 3600X versus the Intel Core i5-9600Ok….
All of those are primarily based on creator-centric software program functions, and we’ll should confirm them and comparable applications in due time with our personal and samples. However the early claims look flattering to the brand new Ryzens.
The 3950X: Mark Your Calendars for September, Begin Saving
At AMD’s Subsequent Horizon occasion at E3, AMD CEO and president Dr. Lisa Su personally revealed the worth level for the Ryzen 9 3950X: $749. Which will sound like loads (the following step-down chip within the new third Technology Ryzen line is $499), nevertheless it may doubtlessly undercut competing 16-core Intel CPUs when the processor drops in just a few months.
No benchmarks or worldwide-availability info on the Ryzen 9 3950X was shared on the time of the convention, however keep tuned to PCMag to seek out out extra about AMD’s new powerhouse flagship CPU when our evaluate goes reside in September of this 12 months, or as quickly as AMD releases extra data on this AM4 uber-chip. Meantime, we’ll reiterate right here the remainder of the brand new 3000 collection. You might observe a few new entries on the backside not beforehand reported.
‘Picasso,’ ‘Wraith’ Additionally Get Some Love
About these two newbies: Within the shadow of the Navi and 3950X launches, AMD additionally divulged some detailed data on its next-generation APUs. Code-named “Picasso” throughout growth, these chips’ identities had been rumored and bandied about, because of a number of leaks. However the firm confirmed the important thing particulars and shared pricing: $149 for the Ryzen 5 3400G, and $99 for the Ryzen three 3200G…
Each of those chips function on-die “Vega” silicon.
The corporate additionally posed some Picasso silicon (the Ryzen 5 of the pair) towards a ninth Technology Intel Core i5 and its built-in graphics…
The comparisons are once more AMD-flattering however needs to be taken with a grain of salt given the supply. Extra on these APUs after we get them into the labs for testing.
Final, AMD revealed some element on the cooling options that can be bundled with a few of its 3000-series Ryzen CPUs…
The addition of the Wraith Prism, with its RGB LED ring, is a pleasant addition for PC upgraders and builders searching for an efficient, handsome CPU cooler that will not break the financial institution or look ho-hum by way of a PC-case window. (The ring additionally works with Razer Chroma software program for syncing with different gear.)
Extra on all of those chips as they start to filter into our labs for evaluate over the course of summer season ’19.
