AMD will bring its eight-channel Threadripper Pro systems to the retail market, which will open the segment. Previously, the eight-channel Threadripper Pro variant was only available to OEMs (we have an overview of one of these Lenovo systems, compared to the 3990X).
AMD’s Threadripper and Threadripper Pro platforms are both designed for professionals who need more horsepower than a regular desktop platform can offer. Where AMD’s top Ryzen 9 5950X offers 16 cores, a TR or TR Pro system can pack as much as 64. Threadripper Pro uses the WRX80 disk drive, which contains up to eight memory channels (regular TR is four):
Several motherboard manufacturers are bringing boards to market to support the new CPU. The Supermicro M12SWA-TF is an E-ATX motherboard with no less than six large PCIe 4.0 slots, four PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots, and a pair of U.2 slots. The M.2 slots support RAID 0, 1 and 5, while the U.2 supports RAID 0 and 1.. There is also an ASpeed AST2600 BMC controller for access to IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface).
The Supermicro M12SWA-TF, also shown above.
The board can support three GPUs with two grooves or two triple slots. The rear panel features a range of USB 3.2 Gen 2, USB 3.2 Gen 1, dual ethernet and a Realtek ALC4050 HD audio solution, along with an ALC1220. The Ethernet ports are powered by an Aquantia AQC113C (10GbE) and an Intel I120-AT (2.5GbE).
There are also boards that come from Asus and Gigabyte, but because we have no information about it but leaks, we will not comment for now. AMD has not yet announced any Threadripper CPUs powered by the Ryzen 5000 series, but such CPUs are likely to arrive later this year when Milan is ready. Historically, AMD has tended to refresh its server platform before introducing new Threadripper chips. We do not expect higher core scores this year, but we will take full advantage of the 1.19x IPC improvement of Zen 3 if it does. 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 in the retail channel later this year.
We are not talking about the workstation market as separate from the desk because it is more difficult to break down numbers specifically in this area. The fact that Intel cut its Cascade Lake Xeon prices back to 2019 after a few years of fixed position in light of Threadripper’s increase has suggested that the disk giant has become more concerned about its competitive status. Overall sales of desks fell sharply in 2020 as shipments to laptops grew as well. It is therefore not clear how this affected the total workstation space.
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