AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X socket: Socket TR4

What the Threadripper 1900X is

The Ryzen Threadripper 1900X is an eight core, sixteen thread HEDT processor with a 3.8 GHz base, up to 4.0 GHz boost and up to 4.2 GHz on extended range. It carries 4 MB of L2 with 16 MB of shared L3 per AMD, for 20 MB total, and a 180 W TDP on the 14 nm process. AMD launched it on August 31, 2017 with the Threadripper 1000 series.

Two Zeppelin dies with two dummy dies for support sit under the large heat spreader on the Whitehaven platform. Eight cores with high clocks cover play beside creation where HEDT lanes matter. The multiplier is unlocked for tuning on X399 boards.

The database lists 32 MB of L3, against 16 MB on the AMD page and encyclopedia entries. This page follows AMD with 20 MB total. There is no integrated graphics, so a separate card is required. The launch price was $549 AMD SEP.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The 1900X fits Socket TR4, a 4094 contact LGA socket that shares its size with server SP3 but is electrically incompatible. X399 is the only chipset, with quad channel DDR4 and 64 PCIe 3.0 lanes total per AMD. Boards need a BIOS that lists first gen Threadripper.

X399 boards carry eight DIMM slots and large voltage regulation for 180 W sustained loads. A TR4 specific cooler is mandatory, since the huge heat spreader needs full coverage mounting. Check the maker CPU list for the minimum BIOS per board.

The chip ships without any cooler. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X is the twelve core sibling on the same boards where thread count matters.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

Memory support is DDR4-2667 in four channels. Four matched sticks give quad channel speed, with room for a second set where the board has eight slots. ECC UDIMM support follows the board maker list rather than the chip alone, so this page omits the ECC row.

PCI Express arrives as version 3.0 with 64 lanes total per AMD, 60 usable plus 4 to the chipset. Multi GPU renders and NVMe arrays fit the lane budget of a creator tower. Cooling needs a TR4 rated tower or liquid loop at 180 W.

Upgrade paths

On the same socket the step up is a twelve core chip such as the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X where thread count matters, keeping the board and DDR4. The 1900X keeps its place where high clocks beat core count for mixed play and creation.

Moving past TR4 means a new board on a current HEDT platform. Owners usually add memory or a faster GPU before replacing the processor.