The 64 Core Threadripper 3990X CPU Review: In The Midst Of Chaos, AMD Seeks Opportunity
by Dr. Ian Cutress & Gavin Bonshor on February 7, 2020 9:00 AM ESTAMD 3990X Against $20k Enterprise CPUs
For those looking at a server replacement CPU, AMD’s big discussion point here is that in order to get 64 cores on Intel hardware is relatively hard. The best way to get there is with a dual socket system, featuring two of its 28-core dies at a hefty $10k a piece. AMD’s argument is that users can consolidate down to a single socket, but also have better memory support, PCIe 4.0, and no cross-memory domain issues.
AMD 3990X Enterprise Competition | |||
AnandTech | AMD 3990X |
AMD 7702P |
Intel 2x8280 |
SEP | $3990 | $4450 | $20018 |
Cores/Threads | 64 / 128 | 64 / 128 | 56 / 112 |
Base Frequency | 2900 | 2000 | 2700 |
Turbo Frequency | 4300 | 3350 | 4000 |
PCIe | 4.0 x64 | 4.0 x128 | 3.0 x96 |
DDR4 Frequency | 4x 3200 | 8x 3200 | 12x 2933 |
Max DDR4 Capacity | 512 GB | 2 TB | 3 TB |
TDP | 280 W | 200 W | 410 W |
Unfortunately I was unable to get ahold of our Rome CPUs from Johan in time for this review, however I do have data from several dual Intel Xeon setups that I did a few months ago, including the $20k system.
This time with Corona the competition is hot on the heels of AMD's 64-core CPUs, but even $20k of hardware can't match it.
The non-AVX verson of 3DPM puts the Zen 2 hardware out front, with everything else waiting in the wings.
When we add in the AVX-512 hand tuned code, the situation flips: Intel's 56 cores get almost 2.5x the score of AMD, despite having fewer cores.
Blender doesn't seem to like the additional access latency from the 2P systems.
For AES encoding, as the benchmark takes places from memory, it appears that none of Intel's CPUs can match AMD here.
For the 7-zip combined test, there's little difference between AMD's 32-core and 64-core, but there are sizable jumps above Intel hardware.
Verdict
In our tests here (more in our benchmark database), AMD's 3990X would get the crown over Intel's dual socket offerings. The only thing really keeping me back from giving it is the same reason there was hesitation on the previous page: it doesn't do enough to differentiate itself from AMD's own 32-core CPU. Where AMD does win is in that 'money is less of an issue scenario', where using a single socket 64 core CPU can help consolidate systems, save power, and save money. Intel's CPUs have a TDP of 205W each (more if you decide to use the turbo, which we did here), which totals 410W, while AMD maxed out at 280W in our tests. Technically Intel's 2P has access to more PCIe lanes, but AMD's PCIe lanes are PCIe 4.0, not PCIe 3.0, and with the right switch can power many more than Intel (if you're saving 16k, then a switch is peanuts).
We acknowledge that our tests here aren't in any way a comprehensive test of server level workloads, but for the user base that AMD is aiming for, we'd take the 64 core (or even the 32 core) in most circumstances over two Intel 28 core CPUs, and spend the extra money on memory, storage, or a couple of big fat GPUs.
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nightmared - Friday, February 7, 2020 - link
While I have to admit Microsoft AD is fairly well integrated (with regards to features such as a folder redirections and GPOs) and coherent, there is alternatives (after all the core of AD resides in a "simple" LDAP server). The most compliant (because it is a re-implementation of the AD) is SAMBA4 and it works quite well. You can fairly easily manage a windows AD with it, free of charge (and it's open source, of course). Still not as pervasives as Microsoft AD with all its Powershell dedicated commands and its GUI managers.Whiteknight2020 - Friday, February 7, 2020 - link
But no group policy, integrated CA, recycle bin, DSC, third party ecosystem, gmsa etc. Not industrial strength, no support, no federation services....jospoortvliet - Saturday, February 8, 2020 - link
Check out Univention Corporate Server, they build quite the drop-in AD alternative.tuxRoller - Friday, February 7, 2020 - link
FreeipaWhiteknight2020 - Friday, February 7, 2020 - link
Is junk. Fundamentally badly designed, appalling to administer and weak on features. Nice try.tuxRoller - Wednesday, February 12, 2020 - link
Badly designed? Do you mean because it's mostly an orchestration tool?Whiteknight2020 - Friday, February 7, 2020 - link
RedHat have tried, but it's solution is pants. You can make Linux full citizens of AD with QAS though so you only need windows for the directory. Also does a nice job of certificate authority too.Chaitanya - Friday, February 7, 2020 - link
Many of my clients are running windows servers even in Datacentres.29a - Friday, February 7, 2020 - link
Lots.Hulk - Friday, February 7, 2020 - link
I like what AMD is doing. 8, 16, 24, 32, and 64 cores based on the same architecture. If you have the need for the compute and the cash they have you covered. Not to mention the fact that they've totally blown the lid off Intel's stratospheric pricing. If not for AMD I firmly believe 8 core parts would still cost $1000 or more.My next build is going to be my first AMD. Unless Intel can pull a rabbit out of their hat my next build is going to be my first AMD build.... and I've been building since the early 1990's.