AMD takes the fight to Intel with new 3rd-gen Ryzen Threadripper CPUs

AMD Ryzen Threadripper
AMD Ryzen Threadripper (Image credit: Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • AMD announces new third-gen Ryzen Threadripper processors.
  • The new Threadrippers come rocking up to 88 PCIe 4.0 lanes.
  • Both the Threadripper 3960X and 3970X will be available to buy on November 25, starting from $1,399.

AMD announced new Threadripper processors for enthusiast workstations, taking on Intel in the high-end segment. These new Threadripper processors build upon the foundations laid by previous generation CPUs, sporting up to 32 cores (with 64 threads) of performance available.

Designed with developers and content creators in mind, the new third-gen processors are built on the same 7nm Zen 2 core architecture as Ryzen 3000 processors, but boast up to 88 PCIe 4.0 lanes and 144MB of cache. According to AMD, these new Threadrippers offer up to 90 percent faster performance in Cinebench than the competition, as well as 47 percent more performance in Adobe Premiere and 36 percent in Unreal Engine 5.

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CategoryThreadripper 3960XThreadripper 3970X
Cores2432
Threads4864
Clocks3.8GHz
4.5GHz
3.7GHz
4.5GHz
Cache140MB144MB
TDP280W280W
PCIe lanes8888
Price$1,399$1,999

Alongside these new processors is a new socket, the sTRX4. The new Threadripper processors will be released on November 25. Pricing starts at $1,399 for the 24 core 3960X. If you're not fond of Threadripper and want a Ryzen 9 CPU, AMD also teased the 16-core Ryzen 9 3950X, boasting better performance in games than Intel's Core i9-9980XE.

Rich Edmonds
Senior Editor, PC Build

Rich Edmonds was formerly a Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.