The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X Review: 16 Cores on 7nm with PCIe 4.0
by Dr. Ian Cutress on November 14, 2019 9:00 AM ESTTest Bed and Setup
As per our processor testing policy, we take a premium category motherboard suitable for the socket, and equip the system with a suitable amount of memory running at the manufacturer's maximum supported frequency. This is also typically run at JEDEC subtimings where possible. It is noted that some users are not keen on this policy, stating that sometimes the maximum supported frequency is quite low, or faster memory is available at a similar price, or that the JEDEC speeds can be prohibitive for performance. While these comments make sense, ultimately very few users apply memory profiles (either XMP or other) as they require interaction with the BIOS, and most users will fall back on JEDEC supported speeds - this includes home users as well as industry who might want to shave off a cent or two from the cost or stay within the margins set by the manufacturer. Where possible, we will extend out testing to include faster memory modules either at the same time as the review or a later date.
| Test Setup | |
| AMD Ryzen 3000 | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X AMD Ryzen 9 3900X |
| Motherboard | ASRock X570 Taichi 2.50 (AGESA 1004B) |
| CPU Cooler | Kraken X62 |
| DRAM | Corsair Vengeance RGB 4x8 GB DDR4-3200 |
| GPU | Sapphire RX 460 2GB (CPU Tests) MSI GTX 1080 Gaming 8G (Gaming Tests) |
| PSU | Corsair AX860i |
| SSD | Crucial MX500 2TB |
| OS | Windows 10 1909 |
We must thank the following companies for kindly providing hardware for our multiple test beds. Some of this hardware is not in this test bed specifically, but is used in other testing.
| Hardware Providers | |||
| Sapphire RX 460 Nitro | MSI GTX 1080 Gaming X OC | Crucial MX200 + MX500 SSDs |
Corsair AX860i + AX1200i PSUs |
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| G.Skill RipjawsV, SniperX, FlareX |
Crucial Ballistix DDR4 |
Silverstone Coolers |
Silverstone Fans |
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FreckledTrout - Thursday, November 14, 2019 - link
While I cant argue that Intel 7nm chips will destroy AMD's current chips. However you are talking two generations of process that need to come out for Intel so at best end of 2021 but more likely in 2022. AMD will either be on or just about ready to release chips on 5nm by the time Intel has chips on 7nm so I expect no destroying from either side but instead healthy competition.Oliseo - Thursday, November 14, 2019 - link
Had to sit down after reading that. A sensible comment on the Internet.Faith in humanity restored.
abufrejoval - Friday, November 15, 2019 - link
Was sitting already, but you made me smile :-)brantron - Thursday, November 14, 2019 - link
Intel's priority #1 for 7nm also may not be a new CPU architecture. GPU comes first. Willow Cove derivatives could very well appear on 14nm, 10nm, and then wait until 7nm+.And there could also be a 14nm Double Plus Good process. :p
Teckk - Thursday, November 14, 2019 - link
Not sure if you intended to reply to me 🤔 I'm already of the opinion there's no destroying anyone anytime soonIrata - Thursday, November 14, 2019 - link
You could argue that prior to Ryzen 3000, Intel was on the better process (14nm ++... vs. GloFo 14nm and 12nm). And they did not exactly destroy Ryzen / Threadripper back then.Not saying this would not help them if they were on 7nm right now, but considering the impressive manner in which Intel's engineers have tweaked 14nm, the difference in performance may be smaller than expected.
nico_mach - Thursday, November 14, 2019 - link
… Except everyone insists that Intel's 10nm IS equivalent to everyone else's 7nm. But sure, next process they'll destroy the competition, any year now.GraveNoX - Thursday, November 14, 2019 - link
Equivalent in what ? Is like saying all diesel cars will have the same performance.Oliseo - Thursday, November 14, 2019 - link
"Everyone in my imagination insists Intel will destroy AMD. And the voices in my head don't lie"lobz - Thursday, November 14, 2019 - link
I'm sure they all mean: any decade now :)