With its 3rd generation Ryzen Threadripper processor family right around the corner it is about time we got some leaks! It appears that AMD will not be bothering with 16-core models for their HEDT line. This makes sense at the mainstream line will eventually have the 16-core Ryzen 9 3950X. Threadripper 3 will begin with the 3960X, which is a 24-core/48-thread part. Confirmation of this chip comes from an Ashes of the Singularity screenshot that references the processor.
It is interesting that AMD will start their Threadripper 3 lineup at 24-cores, but it does make sense as they want to keep up their competitiveness against Intel, which recently launched their “Cascade Lake-X” Core i9 HEDT processor series, with all parts being under $1000. It will be interesting to see how the 24-core 3960X will stack up against Intel’s 18-core/36-thread Core i9-10980XE Extreme Edition.
AMD’s 3rd generation Ryzen Threadripper processors are expected to launch alongside AMD’s TRX40 chipset this November. Many rumors have the platform will use a new socket based on the “SP3r3” specification. So older Threadripper parts will not work on TRX40 motherboards and 3rd gen chips will not work on older X399 motherboards.
