The Threadripper 7000 series release date is now confirmed, coming hot on the tails of Intel’s 14th gen launch. The desktop CPU crown has so far been fought for between Raphael (Zen 4 architecture) and Raptor Lake (13th/14th gen) CPUs. But Threadripper is a whole other beast and will put the question of fastest desktop CPU to bed when it arrives this year.
Threadripper 7000 series release date
The release date for the Threadripper 7000 series will be November 21st. The date was confirmed in an AMD investor relations posting, along with key details about CPU names, specs, and even motherboard and memory requirements and support. We’ll go over those a little lower down, but what’s obvious is that the new Threadrippers, like the CPUs that have previously arrived under that banner, will be mightily powerful processors capable of besting any other desktop CPU. They’ll also be incredibly pricey. Intel 14th gen, step aside.
Threadripper 7000 series CPU specs
Below are the key specs for the upcoming HEDT (high-end desktop) CPU lineup, led by the Threadripper 7980X. While base and boost clocks may look modest, that’s not really the key to the power of these CPUs, designed for heavy professional workloads like intense rendering and multitasking.
Notably, the 64-core, 128-thread specs and 320MB total cache are monstrous for the top option. All of the new CPUs take on the 7000 series naming and are pitched higher than the enthusiast 7950 X3D SKU. As a reminder, the Ryzen 9 7950 X3D has a 16-core, 32-thread spec, and a total cache of 144MB.
Of course, such thread ripping from the new SKUs will need a hefty system, given they have a TDP of 350W. And you’ll need some hefty cash too. The entry-level Threadripper 7960X CPU has a suggested price of $1,499. The 7970X is priced at $2,499, and the 7980X is double that at $4,999.
| Processor | Cores/Threads | Boost4/Base Frequency | Total Cache | TDP | SEP (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7980X | 64 / 128 | Up to 5.1 / 3.2 GHz | 320MB | 350W | $4,999 |
| AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7970X | 32 / 64 | Up to 5.3 / 4.0 GHz | 160MB | 350W | $2,499 |
| AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X | 24 / 48 | Up to 5.3 / 4.2 GHz | 152MB | 350W | $1,499 |
Threadripper 7000 series / Pro 7000-WX series motherboard features
The new Threadripper SKUs actually come in two separate series, the high-end desktop 7000 series as above, and a Pro 7000-WX workstation series. The below table shows the motherboard features for both, but only the AMD TRX50 platform will support the high-end desktop CPUs. Meanwhile the WRX90 will only support the Pro 7000 WX-Series workstation SKUs listed further down this piece.
| Chipset | Processors | Memory Support | PCIe lanes (Total/Usable) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD WRX90 | Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7000 WX-Series | 8-Channel Up to 2TB DDR5-5200 RDIMM | 148 / 144 (with up to 128 PCIe 5.0 lanes) | AMD PRO Manageability AMD PRO Business Ready support AMD Secure Processor AMD Shadow Stack AMD Memory Guard6 Overclocking supported (not on OEM systems)5 |
| AMD TRX50 | Ryzen Threadripper 7000 Series & Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7000 WX-Series | 4-Channel Up to 1TB DDR5-5200 RDIMM | 92 / 88 (with up to 48 PCIe 5.0 lanes) | Overclocking supported5 |
AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7000 WX-Series specs
At the top of the tree, well above the new high-end desktop processors are the Threadripper WRX Pro SKUs. We don’t have pricing for these, but they are designed for workstations from the likes of HP, DELL, and Lenovo. The details for these CPUs are below, and it really shows the strength of AMD’s ability to deliver processing options from entry-level-consumer all the way up to enterprise and business-level workloads.
| Processor | Cores/Threads | Boost4/Base Frequency | Total Cache | TDP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7995WX | 96 / 192 | Up to 5.1 / 2.5 GHz | 480MB | 350W |
| AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX | 64 / 128 | Up to 5.1 / 3.2 GHz | 320MB | 350W |
| AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7975WX | 32 / 64 | Up to 5.3 / 4.0 GHz | 160MB | 350W |
| AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX | 24 / 48 | Up to 5.3 / 4.2 GHz | 152MB | 350W |
| AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX | 16 / 32 | Up to 5.3 / 4.5 GHz | 80MB | 350W |
| AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX | 12 / 24 | Up to 5.3 / 4.7 GHz | 76MB | 350W |
What socket does the Threadripper 7000 series use?
The socket for the HEDT (high-end desktop) chips will be AMD’s sTR5 socket. So do note that you’ll need a motherboard with that socket should you want to spend money on a Threadripper build – the TRX50 chipset motherboard is the one you’ll need to opt for for the 7960X, 7970X and 7980X.
Is the AMD Threadripper overkill?
For many people, yes, but it really depends on use cases and what you need. If a flagship Ryzen 9 or Core i9 isn’t doing what you need then a Threadripper can do more. Designed for heavy multi-threaded workloads like intense encoding and rendering, they’re not for you if you’re a regular user of productivity tools and PC gaming. They also draw huge power and cost a lot. If you’re asking this question, the answer may well be yes. But if a 13900K/14900K or 7950 X3D isn’t doing what you need then Threadripper CPUs are the next logical step.
Is Threadripper overkill for gaming?
Normally, yes. Although they will be able to handle the latest games well, they are specifically designed with multi-threaded workloads in mind. This is less usual to come across in games than in productivity tools, so buying a Threadripper with gaming in mind just isn’t going to be the best use of its capabilities. In terms of price to performance, it’s not where you’ll find most value.
Kevin’s view
Threadrippers are incredibly impressive, and it’s telling that there’s more coming. For desktop users who demand the very best on offer, they may deliver the kind of performance you’d expect for spending $1k+ on a processor. But for everyone else using a desktop PC, Intel’s 14th gen or the best AMD Ryzen CPUs are more likely what you’re after.
