AMD Threadripper Pro 5965WX Review: Many-Core Zen 3 Monster
AMD Threadripper Pro 5965WX: Gaming Performance, Power Consumption And The Verdict
UL 3DMark CPU Physics Benchmark
3DMark's Physics test doesn't not run well on AMD's many-core platforms. Here we see the Threadripper Pro 5965WX finishing ahead of the Threadripper Pro 3975WX and right on par with the Ryzen 7 5800X, as if only a single CCX is being utilized.
High And Low Resolution Gaming & Graphics Benchmarks
We also ran some mid and high-resolution game and graphics tests on our test rigs with 3DMark, F1 2021, Metro Exodus, Shadow Of War and Shadow Of The Tomb Raider. We used 3DMark's default Time Spy preset, and the games were run in two different configurations -- either 1080p with Medium/High details, or 4K with High/Extreme details. The lower resolution tests are more CPU bound to somewhat isolate processor performance, while the higher resolution tests are more GPU bound.
As we move to some actual games, the Threadripper Pro 5965WX is right there in the mix with some of the best mainstream desktop processors in the low-resolution / high-framerate tests, especially in F1 2021, which is an AMD-friendly title.
When running those same games at higher-resolutions with increased image quality, to shift more of the bottleneck onto the GPU, however, the playing field levels. In these high-resolution game tests, the Threadripper Pro 5965WX is more than capable of keeping the GPU fed and it finishes effectively in-line with all of the other chips.
Threadripper Pro 5965WX Total System Power Consumption
Throughout all of our benchmarking and testing, we also monitored how much power our Threadripper Pro 5965WX-powered rig was consuming with a power meter, versus the other systems we used for comparison.
Our goal was to give you an idea as to how much power each configuration used while idling at the Windows desktop and while under a heavy CPU workload across one and all cores. Keep in mind, this is total system power consumption being measured at the outlet and not the individual power being drawn by the CPUs alone.
Although the Zen 3 architecture is more efficient than Zen 2, the Threadripper Pro 5965WX ends up consuming considerably more power than its predecessor, and both Threadripper Pro configuration had the highest idle power consumption by far. These were puzzling results, especially considering that the 32-core Threadripper Pro 3975WX's load power was actually lower than the 24-core 3960X. Nevertheless, the results were repeatable and remained consistent throughout multiple BIOS configurations and with different settings. We'll be inquiring with AMD and Asus to see if there is something amiss and will update this section as necessary if something changes.
AMD Threadripper Pro 5965WX Hardware Details
To provide some more insight into the Threadripper Pro 5965WX's frequencies, power and thermals, we have all of those details as reported throughout a run of PCMark 10. With the exception of the multi-threaded content creation tests (at the far right), the load on the Threadripper Pro 5965WX is minimal. The CPU's frequency remains mostly pegged at 4.5GHz for most of the run, and temperatures through the productivity and lightly threaded workloads remain in the 50-70°C range (with the 360mm AIO liquid cooler we used). With the heavily-threaded content creation workloads, the CPU's frequency dips to about 4.2GHz and temperatures peak at around 90°C.
AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro 5965WX: The Verdict
AMD’s Threadripper Pro 5000 series processors have mostly been designated for OEMs and systems builders up to this point. They will, however, be showing up at on-line retailers for do-it-yourselfers shortly.As our numbers have shown, the Zen 3 architecture provides a significant uplift in performance versus the previous-generation. The Threadripper Pro 5965WX we tested clearly outran its predecessors in terms of single-thread performance and its multi-threaded performance was stellar as well. Despite an 8-core / 16-thread deficit, the Threadripper Pro 5965WX nearly caught the Threadripper Pro 3975WX in multiple benchmarks and versus the 24-core Zen 2-based Threadripper 3960X, the newer Threadripper Pro 5965WX offered significant double-digit performance gains, nearly across the board. When the processor’s immense resources are being fully utilized, the Threadripper Pro 5965WX also dominates any mainstream desktop CPU, nearly doubling the Core i9-12900K’s performance in some tests. The Threadripper Pro 5000 series also offers massive IO options with 128 dedicated PCIe 4.0 lanes, and high-end motherboards designed for the platform are loaded with leading-edge features.
All of the Threadripper Pro’s performance and platform benefits comes at a cost, however. The Threadripper Pro 5965WX’s has an MSRP of $2,400. WRX80-based motherboards commend a premium as well, and to optimally configure the platform 8-channel memory and a quality, high-end PSU is also required. All told, a Threadripper Pro system will run hundreds to thousands of dollars more than any previous-gen HEDT “standard” Threadripper system, with a similar core count. Versus Intel’s workstation-targeted Xeon-W processors, however, AMD’s current Threadripper Pro pricing is actually on-par, but that’s probably little consolation for DIYers lusting after one of these beasts.
If you’re a professional developer or content creator, AMD's Threadripper Pro platform benefits will pay dividends. The massive memory bandwidth and vast processing resources will cut render or compile times down significantly versus anything else currently available. For everyday computing workloads and gaming, however, there are some caveats with a many-core platform like this one. Professional workstation users are the target audience for Threadripper Pro though, and with that in mind AMD has clearly hit the mark. The AMD Threadripper Pro 5000 series is a powerhouse platform for professionals.
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