"the 16-core listing would run 300 MHz lower than current gen 16-core (which seems weird)".... It makes sense because it's also listed with a lower TDP, suggesting it will probably consume less power ("probably" because TDP does NOT = power consumption). I reckon nothing but a monster liquid cooler will suffice for the 250W TDP of the 2990X 😎

SniperX:

"the 16-core listing would run 300 MHz lower than current gen 16-core (which seems weird)".... It makes sense because it's also listed with a lower TDP, suggesting it will probably consume less power ("probably" because TDP does NOT = power consumption). I reckon nothing but a monster liquid cooler will suffice for the 250W TDP of the 2990X 😎

My guess is that it wont be a direct replacement for the 1950x, but a lower tdp for less cooling friendly environment. While i can cool my 1950x on stock with a Noctua U14-TR4 fine, i barely can sustain it quietly under load. Now the 2990X seems like a beast, probably wont be able to be cooled by air under heavy load, although i would love to see the new Thermalright Silver Arrow TR4 give a shot, maybe Hilbert can ask for a sample for his threadripper2 review.

SniperX:

"the 16-core listing would run 300 MHz lower than current gen 16-core (which seems weird)".... It makes sense because it's also listed with a lower TDP, suggesting it will probably consume less power ("probably" because TDP does NOT = power consumption). I reckon nothing but a monster liquid cooler will suffice for the 250W TDP of the 2990X 😎

You dont need monster cooling with water loop, any decent dual/triple radiator config should be able handle it. I am a bit diapointed, was waiting to get 2nd gen 16 core TR and now it looks like it will be slowest from all :/

2950X 16 cores at 125TDP is rather crazy, i changed my phenom quad 955 BE last year, that was the same TDP and very close to the same clocks. The performance difference would be 7-10 times compaired to my old relic and the 2950X probably would be a better overclocker too.

blazngun:

Should wait for the benchmarks to be disappointed.

Don't bet on it. MCM changes the rules... having independent IC's allows each one of them to run at their max performance independently of what's happening with the others. As for the 32c one with 250W TDP... divide that by 4 it results in 62.5W for once IC, which is very close the the common 65W TDP on mainstream Intel chips (the non X ones), which include that shitty IGP in the number. Plus, these are on the latest and greatest "12nm" process... I'm quite sure they will be overclockable to 4Ghz (or a bit more) on all 32cores, assuming some high-end liquid cooling (probably custom loop needed at this level). Not sure why anyone would need to do that though, it's already insanely powerful stock.

abula:

My guess is that it wont be a direct replacement for the 1950x, but a lower tdp for less cooling friendly environment. While i can cool my 1950x on stock with a Noctua U14-TR4 fine, i barely can sustain it quietly under load. Now the 2990X seems like a beast, probably wont be able to be cooled by air under heavy load, although i would love to see the new Thermalright Silver Arrow TR4 give a shot, maybe Hilbert can ask for a sample for his threadripper2 review.

That is one impressive looking cooler (Maybe add a second fan for good measure?). They actually quote TDP for that cooler (320w), not something I see too often. AMD might be positioning the 2950x at a lower price point to make a threadripper CPU that is a bit more accessible to more people.