UK and US prices for AMD R7 Ryzen processors spotted

[scaryjim]

There must be some more differences between the models than just a couple of MHz to warrant the price differences? Any ideas?

Don't see why there would be - AMD and Intel have always had multiple processors with the same basic layout, of which the only difference was clock speed. Intel have started to artificially segment a lot of their products by (apparently randomly) disabling features, but that's not been a game that AMD play. Look at the FX 8300 series - there's around 7 processors in that, and the only differences between them are clock speeds.

[Biscuit]

Do we know what the "Pro" and "X" suffixes mean yet?

What the hell is "SR3+" also?

[scaryjim]

Do we know what the "Pro" and "X" suffixes mean yet? ...

X is for XFR, which in turn stands for eXtended Frequency Range. As far as I can tell it basically allows the processor to run at the TDP of its cooling solution (presumably through continuous monitoring of temperate over time). So if you have a massive 200W-capable heatsink strapped to it, it'll boost the processor as if it had a 200W TDP...

As to Pro, that's an existing AMD category - http://www.amd.com/en-us/solutions/pro - and I see no reason to think that those "features" will change for Ryzen CPUs. Basically it's a collection of enterprise-focussed marketing bump - controlability, configurability, stability, etc.

[Ozaron]

*the "Questions about Ryzen" image*

Is this meant to allay fears from Intel partners? Or shareholders? Or both? Why was this made at all? It's pretty clear that Ryzen is a vastly improved and competitive product but clock for clock it's still not yet better than anything Intel delivers. I don't get why anyone is worried, especially if the worst they might have to deal with in the short term is a little price cutting. They needed to exhibit care for consumers at some point.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Is this meant to allay fears from Intel partners? Or shareholders? Or both? Why was this made at all? It's pretty clear that Ryzen is a vastly improved and competitive product but clock for clock it's still not yet better than anything Intel delivers. I don't get why anyone is worried, especially if the worst they might have to deal with in the short term is a little price cutting. They needed to exhibit care for consumers at some point.

Probably because Intel has no 6C and 8C SKUs on a cheaper consumer until next year which can compete?? Basically a £70 motherboard can take a 6C or 8C CPU. Imagine the cost savings for PC builders,over something like X99 or X299 and XFR is also something that system builders might find useful instead of having to manually overclock and test every one of those CPUs.

[scaryjim]

... XFR is also something that system builders might find useful instead of having to manually overclock and test every one of those CPUs.

I think this might be a big draw for OEMs of gaming PCs (and non-enthusiast self-builders): an opportunity to get "overclocked" CPUs without doing anything more complex than strapping on a great big heatsink (or AIO water cooler). The promise of higher clocks just from better cooling, without having to fiddle interminably with voltage and multiplier settings.

Meanwhile, the enthusiasts can save a few £££ by opting for the non-X processors and overclock manually.

[kalniel]

Seems anti-competitive to say the processor will run faster if you also use a specific cooler by the same manufacturer rather than just basing it on cooling performance. Not impressed.

[DanceswithUnix]

Seems anti-competitive to say the processor will run faster if you also use a specific cooler by the same manufacturer rather than just basing it on cooling performance. Not impressed.

I just took it as a guideline, sort of "You need something at least as good as this Wraith to get a decent boost". I'm sure there will be OEM options for getting the XFR enabled part without bundled cooler, the likes of HP won't pay for something they don't want.

It will be interesting to see what these things do on water blocks.

[Biscuit]

Seems anti-competitive to say the processor will run faster if you also use a specific cooler by the same manufacturer rather than just basing it on cooling performance. Not impressed.

Surely this is similar in a sense to "XMP" profiles?

Sure, you can manually do all the settings to get the same results but they will automatically just deal with all that for you?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I do have a bit of a worry regarding reviews - looking at the pulled pricing and the leaked pricing lists,it looks like the top bin 4C/8T Ryzen is positioned towards the Core i5 7400/Core i5 7500 which are locked.

Whats the chance review sites will just use the Core i5 7600K instead,which boosts much higher and is unlocked??

I can see that being done so Intel can be shown to convincingly "win" in gaming benchmarks although most of their SKUs won't clock as high in real life.

[scaryjim]

Seems anti-competitive to say the processor will run faster if you also use a specific cooler by the same manufacturer rather than just basing it on cooling performance. Not impressed.

Based on my reading of the slide here: http://wccftech.com/amd-ryzen-desktop-zen-cpu-xfr/ it won't be restricted to specific cooling setups, and will opportunistically boost as long as it has thermal headroom (otherwise including LN2 in the slide would be a bit dubious - can't see AMD providing "XFR" certified LN2 pots, personally )...

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Remember,Intel selling the K series CPUs with no coolers included means they will be benchmarked in rigs with decent cooling unlike the lower cost Core i5s,so they will most likely be able to boost higher than average anyway if they used the terribad Intel stock cooler.

[scaryjim]

... Whats the chance review sites will just use the Core i5 7600K instead,which boosts much higher and is unlocked?? ...

Simples. AMD send out the 1400X without a cooler and ask review sites to use whatever they think appropriate! Reviewers all use big multi-fan 100W+ tower coolers, XFR kicks in and the r5 boosts like nobodies business

Don't forget that the 4C chips all have a 65W TDP, so the 1200X and 1400X should boost well above their listed precision boost clocks if you stick a decent aftermarket cooler on. I reckon the 1400X is going to be the real gem on AM4 - rated to boost 3.9GHz, but with XFR it should boost beyond that if you stick a decent after market cooler on it. So, you end up with a 4+GHz 4C/8T processor for £200....

[kalniel]

I just took it as a guideline, sort of "You need something at least as good as this Wraith to get a decent boost". I'm sure there will be OEM options for getting the XFR enabled part without bundled cooler, the likes of HP won't pay for something they don't want.

If it's just a guideline then they don't need to specify wraith coolers at all, they can just base it on temperature. Perhaps it is - ie, turbo boost. But we'll see when the details are out.

[DanceswithUnix]

If it's just a guideline then they don't need to specify wraith coolers at all, they can just base it on temperature. Perhaps it is - ie, turbo boost. But we'll see when the details are out.

Temperature is a bit too simple, it is the thermal inertia and degrees C per watt rating of the cooling solution you really want which is a bit much to specify in a consumer product. OTOH, just "small, medium and large" would mean different things to different people so wouldn't work either. So "big one like this" gives an easy comparison. I expect you are just over-thinking this. Not everything is as stupidly locked down as ink cartridges. Can you imagine if printer companies made heatsinks? Up comes a prompt "You heatsink has dissipated 100KWh and is nearly used up. Please replace the flashing heatsink" *shudder*

So by the sounds of things the bigger the heatsink the better the boost should be, so it might be a good time for third party cooler manufacturers, water loops specially.

[scaryjim]

If it's just a guideline then they don't need to specify wraith coolers at all, they can just base it on temperature. Perhaps it is - ie, turbo boost. But we'll see when the details are out.

Well, this slide from the December Ryzen announcement seems to confirm that it's not just for specific coolers:



Note the second bullet point - "Clockspeed scales with ... air, water, and LN₂" - it reads far more like an automated thing based on thermal limits than a "you're attached an approved cooler" thing...