AMD Ryzen Threadripper delidded to reveal Epyc

[HEXUS]

There's four dies of eight cores each under the Threadripper lid, discovers der8auer.

Read more.

[Ozaron]

Hope that this design decision doesn't impact thermals or power too much.

[ik9000]

two of the four dyes are completely unused? Then why leave them there? Can they be activated like the old dual-core to three-core athlon XPs? I mean the TDP would go through the roof but is this a signal that they have further to go if they need to, and provided people smack on some serious cooling solutions?

[[DW]Cougho]

I've read that 2 of them aren't true dies at all, they are effectively just spacers to keep the IHS flat and in good contact. So no unlocking or impact on thermals.

[Tabbykatze]

As long as it doesn't undermine thermals or other similar areas then no problem. However it is odd, if the dies aren't even dies at all, why are they there in the first place as "holders"?

It's highly likely that AMD has done this because they want to continue this platform further so this first run are 2 die only TR CPUs but in Zen+ maybe we'll see a 4 die TR CPU and EPYC will jump another die number threshold?

[Ozaron]

.. and EPYC will jump another die number threshold?

[Wozza63]

two of the four dyes are completely unused? Then why leave them there? Can they be activated like the old dual-core to three-core athlon XPs? I mean the TDP would go through the roof but is this a signal that they have further to go if they need to, and provided people smack on some serious cooling solutions?

Pretty sure they can't, Ryzens are also all from the same strain but binned into their categories to get a near 100% yield. Wouldn't be surprised if they sold off some dual cores for nothing to get some money on otherwise useless chips.

[Platinum]

I wonder if its so when Intel finally release there 18 core chip they can just unlock some more cores and release a 24 / 32 core variant?

[Tabbykatze]

I wonder if its so when Intel finally release there 18 core chip they can just unlock some more cores and release a 24 / 32 core variant?

That's what I'm thinking or it's "for the future" space for the next designs.

[LSG501]

That's what I'm thinking or it's "for the future" space for the next designs.

I wonder if its so when Intel finally release there 18 core chip they can just unlock some more cores and release a 24 / 32 core variant?

What's more likely is these chips are the ones that didn't make the cut for being an EPYC server cpu, where you can get 16c/32t and 32c/64t, but are more than good enough for being used on desktop. Intel are likely doing the same with xeons and i9's etc.

It's a shame AMD didn't try and give us a 32c/64t threadripper on the desktop at a reasonable price because that would have been a killer product for people like me who work with 3D rendering etc, although I suppose theres nothing stopping them adding it later as the process etc matures

[lumireleon]

we all want cheaper processors so AMD is also looking for ways that can also be cheaper for them too! Intel went on a verbal rampage on how AMD new Epyc processors are junk but they forget consumers really dont care if the processors are 'glued' or use infinity fabric that has a latency of a 70's automatic gearbox. What we as consumers want is a product that can get the job done with minimum cost, we really dont care if an intel processor of the same core count is 5% faster BUT we care if the 5% extra is not worth 20% extra cost!!

[Platinum]

Well clearly the real reason is that its easier and a lot cheaper to bin failed Epyc chips than it is to create a new package for 2 dies for Threadripper.

[Platinum]

What's more likely is these chips are the ones that didn't make the cut for being an EPYC server cpu, where you can get 16c/32t and 32c/64t, but are more than good enough for being used on desktop. Intel are likely doing the same with xeons and i9's etc.

It's a shame AMD didn't try and give us a 32c/64t threadripper on the desktop at a reasonable price because that would have been a killer product for people like me who work with 3D rendering etc, although I suppose theres nothing stopping them adding it later as the process etc matures

Given its the same socket you might be able to put a 32 core Epyc chip in a consumer board?

[lumireleon]

don't worry folks 10 days after intel launches their 18 core variant AMD will 'give-away' their 32 core Threadripper at the cost of the intel 18 core.

[Millennium]

2 of the 4 'cores' under the IHS were confirmed by PC World to be just placeholders, spacers to make sure the heatsink stays even. There are only 2 ryzen cores in an threadripper, as [DW]Cougho said.

source: pcworld.com somewhere

[LSG501]

Given its the same socket you might be able to put a 32 core Epyc chip in a consumer board?

Unfortunately I don't have the $4200 (price I've seen online) available to test, it's also likely another reason it's not being put on the desktop....profit lol