Amd ryzen threadripper 3970x review in Spanish (complete analysis)

Finally the time has come to review for all of you the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X. It is the most powerful desktop processor ever built, a silicon that features no less than 32 cores and 64 threads with a 7nm Zen 2 architecture that will simply deliver overwhelming gross performance.

AMD is unleashed and this 2019 is precisely the year in which it has punched the table, first with the Ryzen of general consumption and now with its enthusiastic range. A CPU made for very few pockets, and users who really need a rendering capacity, and work out of the ordinary. We already tried the 3960X and we were impressed. What could happen with this 3970X and an RTX 2080 Super ? Let's go there!

But before continuing, we thank AMD for trusting us to loan us this beast for analysis.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X technical features

Unboxing

The presentations of these Threadrippers have been refined compared to the previous generation, and now the cork case has been replaced by a tight cardboard smartphone-style box of small dimensions. In it we can see the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X from a large opening in one of the side parts.

But of course, we are facing a CPU of colossal performance and AMD has treated it as a trophy. We remove this first box and we have a cardboard base where a transparent ABS plastic case rests and inside a second support with the processor in all its glory installed on its usual orange frame. Our congratulations to AMD on this excellent presentation, living up to expectations.

Inside the bundle we have nothing but the CPU, the support information, the corresponding corporate sticker and the tool to install and tighten the socket screws. What could be included in a product like this?

Exterior design

Visually the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is a CPU of identical size and structure to its predecessors. At the top we have a large copper and silver plated IHS on which the brand and model information is screen printed. The encapsulation is directly soldered to the 5 chiplets that we have installed inside, so that in this way the heat transfer from them is as effective as possible outwards.

In our case we have used a Noctua NH-U14S TR4-SP3 air system for cooling, which is the best performance single tower heatsink from the prestigious manufacturer. It covers almost the entire IHS area, something we consider essential in a CPU as powerful as this one. We say this because many all-in-one liquid cooling systems have really small blocks that only occupy the central area.

The build structure on the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X's contacts hasn't really changed one iota. Despite being installed in a different socket than the previous generation, the sTRX4, we will have the 4094 contacts that define this one. This does not imply that it is backward compatible with previous generations, as these pins have a different power and data configuration and are not suitable for Zen or Zen +.

This is an issue that has angered more than one, since they are very expensive processors (this round the 2100 euros), it is also necessary to buy a new board, which are around 600 euros at least. So the upgrade bill goes up quite a bit. AMD explains that this has been necessary to improve the communication interface between CPU, RAM and chipset. With the maximum capacity of 88 PCIe lines that we will have in the CPU + Chipset set

This huge and dense matrix of contacts is of the LGA type, with its peculiar division in half that basically separates the complex CCD and I / O interface into two parts. The contacts are gold plated to improve conductivity, and their installation is extremely simple since it already includes an installation socket around the CPU. It is just a matter of lowering the bracket and seeing the order in which we will tighten the 3 screws.

Architecture and performance

Following the mid-year arrival of the Ryzen 3000 for AM4 socket, AMD gave us an outline of what it planned for its enthusiastic platform until it has come true. We have the same manufacturing process with 7nm FinFET transistors whose silicon wafers are created by TSMC. The advantage of 7nm is evident: higher density of transistors in the same space, the possibility of introducing more functional units, and greater energy efficiency.

In this AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X we have a configuration of 32 cores and 64 threads of processing, thus being the processor with the highest gross power for desktops. This large number of cores is capable of operating at a base frequency of 3.7 GHz and with the possibility of a maximum frequency of up to 4.5 GHz in overclocking for a single core. For practical purposes and with conventional cooling systems, we have been able to reach the interesting figure of 4.2 GHz @ 1.3 V in this unit on our test bench. Later we will detail the procedure and performance.

Regarding the cache memory we have the incredible figure of 144 MB, divided into 128 MB of L3 cache, 16 MB of L2 cache and also 3 MB of L1 cache, divided as always into L1I and L1D cache. All this causes the CPU TDP to increase to 280W, a figure that is still capable of covering an air cooling configuration like this or 240mm AIO systems. And as in the previous generation, the maximum admissible temperature or TjMAX will be 68 ^o C and it will natively support up to 256 GB of 3200 MHz DDR4 RAM on Quad Channel.

Digging deeper into architecture

In this AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and 3960X, AMD debuts its new Castle Peak architecture for high-performance processors on its enthusiastic desktop platform. To the increase in cores, frequency and cache memory, we still have to add some important things in regards to the internal bus, chiplet-based architecture and I / O.

As in the Ryzen 3000, on this platform we also have an architecture based on chiplets, that is, processing units built separately and installed on the same substrate and linked by the Inifnity Fabric bus. Each chiplet is called a CCD (Core Chiplet DIE) complex, and within it we have two CCX (Core Complex).

Each CCX has 4 cores and 8 processing threads along with a 16 MB L3 cache shared between the four cores. In addition there is 1 MB of L2 cache for each core and 32 KB L1I and L1D. In this AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X, for example, we have 32 cores, so we are going to have a total of 4 chiplets where each and every one of its cores are active. When the 3990X sees the light, we will have a complex of 8 CCDs with 64 cores and 128 threads, impressive.

As in the Ryzen 3000, we have the internal Infinity Fabric bus in charge of uniting these 4 chiplets with the 5th one, which is the Input / Output bus built at 14 nm by Global Foundries. In it, there has been a notable improvement in latencies in communication with RAM memory and now PCIe 4.0 compatibility is offered, where each data line has a bandwidth of 2 GB / s in upload and download.

The lane count is 88 PCIe 4.0 (x64 CPU + x24 TRX40). Of these 88 lanes, we have 16 of them dedicated to communication between CPU and chipset. So we have 56 available in the CPU, 48 of them are dedicated to the PCIe 4.0 lanes of the expansion slots, and 8 for two Pick One configurations where we can allocate them to more PCIe slots, M.2 NVMe slots, network cards, USB ports, or other I / O items. Also, it has a native capacity of 4 USB 3.2 Gen2 and DDR4 Quad Channel.

testing bench

On this occasion our playground will be as follows:

TESTING BENCH
Processor:	AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
Base plate:	ASRock TRX40 Creator
RAM:	32GB G.Skill Trident Z RGB Royal DDR4 3200MHz
Heatsink	Noctua NH-U14S TR4-SP3
HDD	ADATA SU750
Graphic card	Nvidia RTX 2080 Super / RTX 2060
Power supply	Cooler Master V850 Gold

An ASRock high-performance board whose operation we have already tested with the TR 3960X and which is a guarantee of reliability and performance. For 2020 we have news that you have asked for a lot, finally incorporating the one Nvidia RTX 2080 Super for benchmark gaming tests.

As always, to check the stability of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X processor in stock values, we have used Prime 95 Large software to stress the 32 cores. Noctua's solution will be sufficient for these values, giving even overclocking excellent performance.

Benchmarks (Synthetic tests)

What numbers will this powerful processor give us in the chosen bank? For this we will carry out the following tests:

• Cinebench R15 (CPU Score) Cinebench R20 (CPU Score) Aida643DMARK Fire StrikeVRMARKPCMark 8Blender RobotWprime

Until now the robot test that we use for blender has never broken the 60-second barrier, and with this AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X we have witnessed such a feat. It is not the fastest in the WPrime test, nor in the game benchmarks, but note what numbers the Cinebench tests show. We are simply at the server level when it comes to fruit power.

Game testing

We will test the set of 6 games that we have been using to compare all the processors analyzed this year. In this way we can see what the differences are with other solutions. We introduce new graphics card in the bank, although we will leave you the performance data with both the RTX 2060 and the RTX 2080 Super. The games used are as follows:

• Shadow of the Tomb Rider, Alto, TAA + Anisotropic x4, DirectX 12 Far Cry 5, Alto, TAA, DirectX 12 (24 active cores) DOOM, Ultra, TAA, Open GL 4.5 Final Fantasy XV, standard, TAA, DirectX 11 Deus EX Mankind Divided, High, Anisotropic x4, DirectX 12 Metro Exodus, High, Anisotropic x16, DirectX 12 (without RT)

If something characterizes the new Ryzen is its good gaming performance, and a 32-core like this has been developed perfectly. We know that not many games are capable of taking advantage of such a number of cores, in fact the Dunia engine from Far Cry does not support 32 cores, and we have had to lower it to 24 tools.

But something that favors gaming performance is the processing frequency, and the 3.7-4.5 GHz that this CPU is capable of reaching, will be a good option for gaming. In fact, in the graphics with the previous RTX 2060 it is located in very good positions, overtaking processors that work at higher frequencies. And in the absence of adding more members with the RTX 2080 Super, it is also emerging as one of the best on the market, very close to the 9900K and even surpassing it in some cases.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X Software and Overclocking

We have used Ryzen Master as the preferred application for overclocking this processor. One of the most useful applications we have for AMD Ryzen and that will allow us to configure CPU performance in different profiles such as creator mode, OC gaming profiles, etc. In addition we will be able to visualize at all times the energy consumption, activity of the nuclei, activation or deactivation of these, and much more.

The stock working frequency is 3.7 GHz with a tighter voltage than the 3960X, and it ranges between those on this ASRock motherboard. We wanted to see how far it can go, and the limit has been set at 4.25 GHz at 1.3V. To be a 32-core CPU we have a good voltage, much lower than its 24-core brother and the cooling has solvently supported the stress process. We have ventured to 4.3 GHz @ 1, 325 V, but we have not achieved the desired stability, neither at this or any other voltage. Perhaps with liquid cooling these values ​​can be kept stable.

After placing it at 4.25 GHz, testing with the Cinebench R20 shows an increase of 1352 points in multi-core, which is simply spectacular. SMT works perfectly on this CPU, however the performance to a single core has been compromised, surely due to high temperatures and we have stayed at 499 points.

Consumption and temperature

We have used Prime95 in its "Large" version to test both temperatures and consumption. All Watts readings have been measured from the wall socket and the entire assembly except the monitor.

Both in stock and overclocking we have kept the Noctua heatsink, and they are very good results especially when we stress it with only 59 ^o C on average. At 4.2 GHz its maximum temperature is exceeded by quite a margin and we reach a high 84 ^o C. So in this sense the heatsink does fall somewhat short in the case of sustained stress processes.

In terms of consumption, we have high values ​​as you can imagine, exceeding 300W under stress in its stock frequency. With the RTX 2060 GPU under stress, we'll be at about 473W, rising about 120-150w with the RTX 2080 Super. As for the consumption at 4.2 GHz, we are going to reach 523W just by stressing the CPU, making it clear that an 850-1000W source here will be the most indicated if we have a powerful GPU.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X final words and conclusion

It's not every day that you get to test 32-core and 64-thread processors, and what is demonstrated on this 3970X is its raw power. AMD has tamed these 7nm to perfection with a much better, faster, and better performing Infinity Fabric bus on this enthusiastic platform.

Perhaps the chiplet architecture is not the most efficient in RAM-CPU communication, but it is the one that is going to prevail now and in the future for all processors due to the enormous number of cores. Much better scalability, simpler design and the possibility of inserting large amounts of cache such as the 128 MB L3 or those 88 PCIe 4.0 lanes that the platform has. Ideal for multi-GPU configurations, mega-tasks, and large-scale single-chip rendering applications.

The performance is sublime, spectacular, and a true experience. With 3.7 GHz of stock we already have results far superior to the Intel of the enthusiastic platform, and reaching those 4.25 GHz with air cooling the increase is extraordinary. There is nothing like it today.

And although in the benchmarks we have seen relatively discreet results, and that current graphics engines do not "know" how to take advantage of such a large number of cores, we see that the 3970X practically tops the FPS table in many cases. Although of course, for 1600 euros less we have the AM4 processors that in this sense offer almost the same, ranging from 1 to 5 FPS in most cases.

We recommend reading our guide on the best processors on the market

It may be a disadvantage to have to invest in a new motherboard for the sTRX4 socket and RTX40 chipset, but the benefits will also be quite significant. In addition to PCIe 4.0, we will have better network capacity with links to 10G and Wi-Fi 6, Quad Channel RAM up to 256 GB DDR4, native CPU support with 4 USB 3.2 Gen2, and various M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 slots What else do we need?

As for temperatures and consumption, they are obviously high values. We were surprised by the fact that it has a much tighter voltage than the 3960X, which seemed very high. ASRock usually works very well in this regard with its new boards for Ryzen, all the ones analyzed in X570 serve as an example.

While high-end air cooling is sufficient for this CPU, it will have a bit of a hard time at high frequencies, if we think overclocking we recommend liquid cooling or a dual-block heatsink for TR4

We will have the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X available for 2, 189 euros, which is 650 euros more than the 3960X. Is the extra outlay worth it? Well only if we want the best and need even more "firepower" for Workstation, since the 24/48 option is much cheaper and is not so far from it. Of course it is not an option only to play, but to create and work, since with a 3900X and even less the FPS will be similar.

ADVANTAGE	DISADVANTAGES
- THE MOST POWERFUL FOR DESKTOP	- VERY EXPENSIVE REGARDING THE 3960X
- GOOD VOLTAGE AND TEMPERATURES
- REAL FREQUENCIES, WITH HIGH-END RL WILL REACH 4.5 GHZ
- GROSS PERFORMANCE AND GAME PERFORMANCE
- VERY GOOD MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

The Professional Review team awards him the platinum medal:

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

YIELD YIELD - 86%

MULTI-THREAD PERFORMANCE - 100%

OVERCLOCK - 92%

PRICE - 90%

92%