AMD Threadripper 9000 Series: What We Know So Far

AMD’s upcoming Threadripper 9000 series, codenamed Shimada Peak, has generated significant buzz in the tech community. Recent shipping manifest leaks have shed light on these Zen 5-powered high-end desktop (HEDT) CPUs, offering tantalizing insights into their specifications and positioning. Here’s everything we’ve learned so far.

(image credit: AMD)

96 Cores, 350W TDP: A Familiar but Powerful Formula

The flagship of the series, tentatively named Threadripper 9980X, will feature a whopping 96 cores and retain the 350-watt TDP of its predecessor, the Threadripper 7980X. This high TDP reflects AMD’s focus on delivering maximum performance for professionals and enthusiasts rather than optimizing for energy efficiency.

Interestingly, the manifest also lists a 16-core model, which surprisingly also carries a 350-watt TDP. This might seem excessive for such a low core count, but it aligns with the precedent set by the Threadripper 7000 series.

16-Core Variant: A Likely PRO Model

The presence of a 16-core variant in the shipping manifest suggests it may not be part of the standard Threadripper 9000 lineup, as the Threadripper 7000 series bottomed out at 24 cores. Instead, this CPU is likely a PRO model, aimed at workstation users who prioritize features like ECC memory and extensive PCIe lane support.

This would continue AMD’s trend of including a 16-core option in PRO lineups, as seen in the Threadripper 7000, 5000, and 3000 series.

Clock Speed Expectations

While clock speeds remain undisclosed, AMD’s Zen 5 architecture has already demonstrated higher frequencies in the 5th Generation EPYC CPUs compared to their Zen 4 counterparts. The Threadripper 9000 series could follow suit, offering a modest clock speed uplift.

The current Threadripper 7000 series already achieves clock speeds up to 5.3 GHz, and AMD’s Ryzen 9 9950X (Zen 5-based) tops out at 5.7 GHz. While there’s limited room for substantial clock speed gains, incremental improvements could further cement the 9000 series as a powerhouse for heavy computational tasks.

Why No More Than 96 Cores?

Notably absent from the leaks is any mention of a Threadripper model exceeding 96 cores. This aligns with AMD’s strategy for the HEDT market, where per-core performance takes precedence over sheer core count.

The Zen 5c cores, designed for cloud servers requiring high core density, are unlikely to feature in the Threadripper 9000 series, just as Zen 4c cores were absent from the Threadripper 7000 lineup.

Key Takeaways

The AMD Threadripper 9000 series promises to bring significant performance upgrades while maintaining the same aggressive TDP as its predecessors. With up to 96 cores, potential clock speed improvements, and the inclusion of a PRO 16-core model, AMD is clearly positioning the 9000 series as the go-to solution for HEDT and workstation users.

As we await further details, such as official clock speeds and pricing, one thing is certain: Shimada Peak is shaping up to be a mountain of power for the most demanding users.

Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the official launch!

What are your thoughts on the Threadripper 9000 series? Let us know in the comments!