AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX and 2920WX slated for October 29

Greg S

Posts: 1,607   +442
Through the looking glass: Software at the operating system level could be key to managing many-core CPUs. AMD is launching two more Ryzen Threadripper CPUs, but Dynamic Local Mode is a performance-enhancing software feature exclusive to the 2990WX and 2970WX.

Just a few short months ago AMD released the almighty second generation Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX and 2950X. As promised, the 2970WX and 2920X will complete the series with an October 29 debut.

Arriving with 24 cores and 48 threads, the 2970WX is nearly identical to the 2990WX sharing the same clock frequencies, cache, and TDP. Likewise, the 2920X shares specs similar to the 2950X but holds 12 cores and 24 threads with a boost frequency 100MHz less at 4.3GHz.

  Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX Ryzen Threadripper 2950WX Ryzen Threadripper 2920WX
Cores / Threads 32C / 64T 24C / 48T 16C / 32T 12C / 24T
TDP 250W 250W 180W 180W
Base / Boost Frequency 3.0 / 4.2 GHz 3.0 / 4.2 GHz 3.5 / 4.4 GHz 3.5 / 4.3 GHz
L3 Cache 64 MB 64 MB 32 MB 32 MB
MSRP $1,799 $1,299 $899 $649

Although the hardware is relatively similar, software is going to be a differentiator between models. AMD is introducing a piece of software called Dynamic Local Mode that is exclusive to the 2990WX and 2970WX. Essentially, applications that work better with quicker access to DRAM with be relocated to cores with local memory access for execution on the fly. Software that can better take advantage of the many cores will be encouraged to take full advantage of all the resources available.

Running as a background service on Windows 10, Dynamic Local Mode determines which threads are the most compute intensive. Priorities are ranked and threads deemed most demanding are shifted to cores with direct access to memory.

Although not every piece of software will be faster, AMD is showing some significant gains in certain games and select benchmarks. Battlefield 1 running with DirectX 12 with Ultra preset on a 2990WX shows a 47 percent increase in performance. FarCry 5, PUBG, and Alien Isolation also show double digit improvements thanks to Dynamic Local Mode being enabled.

Until benchmarks are out, it is hard to accurately gauge how the two newest processors will compete knowing that software is going to make a difference. At some point in the future, AMD plans to implement the feature into chipset drivers to make it standard for all users with supported hardware, but that is more of a long term goal.

Both the new Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX and 2920WX CPUs will become available on October 29. AMD Ryzen Master will automatically configure Dynamic Local Mode with an update that will also be pushed out on October 29 for systems containing a 2990WX or 2970WX processor.

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Just setup my new 2950X this week. :) My new system is more than 3 times faster than my i7 5930K (6-Core), GTX 980 from 4 years ago. Got to love advancements in technology. :)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X
MSI MEG X399 Creation Motherboard
32GB GSKILL Flare X DDR4 3200
1GB Samsung 970 EVO M.2 NVMe
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
EVGA SuperNOVA 1000W 80+ PLATINUM Power
Corsair Hydro H80i V2 Liquid Cooler
 
Just setup my new 2950X this week. :) My new system is more than 3 times faster than my i7 5930K (6-Core), GTX 980 from 4 years ago. Got to love advancements in technology. :)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X
MSI MEG X399 Creation Motherboard
32GB GSKILL Flare X DDR4 3200
1GB Samsung 970 EVO M.2 NVMe
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
EVGA SuperNOVA 1000W 80+ PLATINUM Power
Corsair Hydro H80i V2 Liquid Cooler

Nice rig man, I've sold my Xeon W3680 and bought a X5675 in hopes to push it past 4.6Ghz but if I can't achieve that I will probably save up for Ryzen 7 3xxx and Navi card next year :)
 
"Battlefield 1 running with DirectX 12 with Ultra preset on a 2990WX shows a 47 percent increase in performance"

Gaming on Threadripper makes no sense... AMD should focus on productivity software benchmarks...
 
"Battlefield 1 running with DirectX 12 with Ultra preset on a 2990WX shows a 47 percent increase in performance"

Gaming on Threadripper makes no sense... AMD should focus on productivity software benchmarks...

You are right, it makes no sense. But it seems like every argument I've seen against the Threadripper has been how it doesn't compete head to head with Intel on games, even if it is comparing well or even superior on other fronts. It's a stupid argument, but even in stupid fights you can get a black eye for all the world to see. I think this is just AMD trying to fight back against the anti-marketing that it has been receiving lately, trying to make the Threadripper more of an all-around performance contender.

And, let's face it, if the new feature helps with the games and graphics engines benchmarked, we can probably assume it will only improve the productivity side of things (even if the benefit is marginal at best).
 
Just setup my new 2950X this week. :) My new system is more than 3 times faster than my i7 5930K (6-Core), GTX 980 from 4 years ago. Got to love advancements in technology. :)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X
MSI MEG X399 Creation Motherboard
32GB GSKILL Flare X DDR4 3200
1GB Samsung 970 EVO M.2 NVMe
MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
EVGA SuperNOVA 1000W 80+ PLATINUM Power
Corsair Hydro H80i V2 Liquid Cooler

Sweet rig. Your comment is motivating me to build a new system. I have a Phenom X4 965BE at 4.3GHZ, 8GB RAM, highly clocked RX560 ( Took a lot of fiddling around) and it plays 99% games at 1080P. Sadly because of FARCRY 5 SSE CPU Instruction set I can't play that game with my Phenom. Tight on money after installing a Turbo on my 99 Camaro SS.
 
Sweet rig. Your comment is motivating me to build a new system. I have a Phenom X4 965BE at 4.3GHZ, 8GB RAM, highly clocked RX560 ( Took a lot of fiddling around) and it plays 99% games at 1080P. Sadly because of FARCRY 5 SSE CPU Instruction set I can't play that game with my Phenom. Tight on money after installing a Turbo on my 99 Camaro SS.

Thanks dude. My new setup is able to run all of my games on one of my 34" (3440 x 1440) displays with full details on at 60 fps+ (so far I've experienced 100 fps+ - but my panel is only 60Hz - Dell curved U3415). I went from 40-60 fps @ 1080p so being able to run flat out has me extremely happy with this setup. I can run native res with all details maxed out. Yay!
 
Thanks dude. My new setup is able to run all of my games on one of my 34" (3440 x 1440) displays with full details on at 60 fps+ (so far I've experienced 100 fps+ - but my panel is only 60Hz - Dell curved U3415). I went from 40-60 fps @ 1080p so being able to run flat out has me extremely happy with this setup. I can run native res with all details maxed out. Yay!

I'm going all out as well. My party day's are done and clubs. I looked at the money I wasted and thought the next system I go crazy on it will save me money in the long run.
 
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