AMD Threadripper (Socket TR4) which is the latest CPU of ZEN micro architecture is threatening Intel where it excels, High end Desktops and workstations. It has been a shock for Intel as it is getting struck by AMD after a long time after the launch of AMD Opteron.
The main reason why AMD released Threadripper is that the per thread performance of the Ryzen CPU was very low compared to Intel's i7 7900x.
Threadripper uses Infinity Fabric Interconnect to connect 4 CCX across 2 Dies. In short, Gluing 2 Ryzen Dies. Ends up giving whopping 64 PCIe Lanes which when compared to Intel Xeon only gives 48 PCIe lanes.
64 PCIe lanes can be used for multiple Graphics Cards, NVMe SSDs, High speed Networking and Thunderbolt all of them running at the same time. Though Thunderbolt is still a question for AMD which has not been answered yet.
The AMD Threadripper CPUs which were launched on August 10, 2017 have the following specifications:
AMD Threadripper 1950X
- 16 Cores/ 32 Threads.
- 40 MB of Total Cache.
- 64 PCIe Lanes.
AMD Threadripper 1920X
- 12 Cores/ 24 Threads.
- 40 MB of Total Cache.
- 64 PCIe Lanes.
Comparing the Benchmarks of Threadripper with Intel's CPUs:
(Courtesy: Tweaktown.com)
Rise of Tomb Raider
3D Mark
Cinebench R15
Conclusion:
As AMD has raised the competition a lot, Intel might try to cope up with them and will come up with more features in the coming future. It is healthy for consumers as both the companies will try to give their best to the consumers. Till then AMD will be ruling the CPU and GPU market.