AMD Threadripper Pro 5000 WX-Series: Three CPUs tested!

For CPU load results, we read the power draw after running 10 minutes of the Cinebench R23 nT all-core rendering test. The same test parameters are used for temperature readings.

The power consumption of our entire test system (at the wall) is shown in the chart. We also include the reported CPU Package Power.

Power Consumption

Power draw readings are accurate to around +/-5W under heavy load due to instantaneous fluctuations in the value.

Looking at power consumption, it’s a pretty easy one to analyse. AMD provides the Threadripper Pro 5000 WX-series processors with a 280W TDP across the board. And this 280W TDP means 280W actually delivered (aside from minor overshoots), unlike the Intel and AMD desktop TDP nonsense.

That 280W TDP is likely a restriction for the 64-core chip’s operating clocks, given that it operates almost 1 GHz slower than the 32-core model.

In fact, you can check out some of our previous content with the 64-core Threadripper 3990X non-Pro CPU where we PBO overclocked it to roughly 3.6GHz, which mandated a package power draw of almost 500W.

There’s no reason to suggest why this Threadripper Pro 5995WX couldn’t go to similar frequencies as the 32- and 24-core chip when coupled with a relevant motherboard and CPU cooler.

Temperatures

Temperature recordings were taken using an IceGiant ProSiphon Elite CPU cooler. Ambient temperatures were around 21°C.

You may be surprised to see such reasonable temperature numbers, given that Ryzen 7000 Series and Intel 13^th Gen processors running anywhere near 280W of package power would be operating like furnaces. But this is simply the case with Threadripper, and it seemingly always has been.

Having a heatspreader the size of a mobile phone clearly aids thermal performance. Plus, have all those cores spread across a larger physical PCB area helps to control the thermal density headaches that we often see with mainstream desktop chips.

Now, yes, we are using an incredibly high-end CPU cooler in the IceGiant ProSiphon Elite. But this £150 quad-fan cooler is clearly not out of place for such expensive partnering hardware. The Noctua NH-U14S TR4-SP3 is another cooler that we have had great success with on Threadripper, thanks in large to its full-sized base contact area.

Put simply, there is no reason to see why temperatures will be an issue for Threadripper Pro when used with sensible air coolers. And that’s advantageous, given the usage environments.

Air coolers are ideal for 24/7, low-noise operation – which is exactly how these workstations CPUs may be running. Plus, when we are recording temperatures below 70C under full load, there’s not much concern of long, multi-day rendering or simulation workloads spiralling temperature to the point of clock speed throttling.

Once again, AMD has clearly nailed it when it comes to thermal design for Threadripper Pro.

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