AMD introduces 'world's first' 64-core workstation microprocessor at CES 2020

Sixty-four core AMD Threadripper 3990X, out on 7th February, unveiled alongside Ryzen 4000 mobile processors

AMD has introduced what it claims is the world's first 64-core workstation CPU, the Threadripper 3990X, at CES 2020. The Threadripper 3990X was pre-announced in November with the expectation that the 64-core, 128-thread part would be formally launched in January.

The specification of the Threadripper 3990X also entails a TDP of 280 watts, with a base clock speed of 2.9GHz capable of being cranked-up to 4.3GHz in boost mode. Total Level One, Two and Three cache weigh in collectively at 288MB. It also offers 72 usable PCIe 4.0 lanes running on a TRX40 motherboard.

The price, though, won't be cheap. In the UK, the 32-core Threadripper 3970X weighs in at £1,899, including VAT, and the price of the Threadripper 3990X has been set at $3,990. That amounts to around £3,650, including VAT, in the UK. The Threadripper 3990X will be available from 7 February.

At the same time, AMD also unveiled a range of new "ultra thin" Ryzen 4000 microprocessors, based on the Zen 2 architecture and built on TSMC's 7nm process node, targeting the market for gaming and high-performance laptops. The Ryzen 4000 chips will offer up to eight cores and 16 threads, and will include integrated Radeon graphics.

However, the most powerful of the microprocessors - the Ryzen 7 4800H and the Ryzen 5 4600H - have a TDP of 45 watts compared to 15 watts for the rest of the range - the Ryzen 7 4800U, Ryzen 7 4700U, Ryzen 5 4600U, Ryzen 5 4500U and Ryzen 3 4300U.

The processors will power a number of laptops from all the big manufacturers, including from Acer, Asus, Dell, HP Inc and Lenovo, due to be released later this quarter.

At the lower end, the company also introduced Athlon Gold and Silver two core, four thread parts with smaller level two and three caches, and less powerful integrated graphics.