New AMD Threadripper PRO 5000 series CPU options – what to choose?
New AMD Threadripper PRO 5000 series CPU options – what to choose?
Hi all! I'm ordering a new workstation for my new role (composer for video games, running Cubase 11 Pro and Pro Tools, alongside UE4/5 and WWise etc.) and currently I have a build date of 14th January. I start my job on 1st February. I have four main requirements: Lots of RAM (256GB minimum, will probably upgrade to 512GB later on, we'll see how things go) Great GPU (3090/3090Ti, so I can run UE5 stuff) Thunderbolt 3 (for audio interfaces) A CPU that will back all that up My dilemma is: do I go with the 3000 series Threadripper PRO now, or do I wait for the 5000 series? I hear rumours of a March launch date, so that will mean me waiting a month before I can start working on projects in earnest. But if I go ahead with the 3000 series, I'm then missing out on 30% more CPU performance for the same price, which won't affect Cubase or Pro Tools a huge amount, but will have an impact on UE projects going forward. Does anyone have an opinion on what I should do? Or any insight into the launch date of the 5000 series threadripper pro CPUs? Thank in advance for your help and opinions!
Honestly, I'm really trying to move forward with EYPC 7003 instead—so they won't lock me out again for upgrades like they did with TR (TR4 → TRX4 → WRX8).
I don't recognize any board that comes with TB by default. You might want to check the Gigabyte WRX80 SU8, which is an optional card. For performance needs, consider the EPYC 7343 with 16 cores, 3.2GHz boost, or the EPYC 74F3 with 24 cores, 3.2GHz boost, and 4.0. If you prefer the EPYC 7002 line, the ASRock Rack ROMED8-2T has a TB header available.
Thunderbolt compatibility remains limited, with only the Gigabyte board offering a partial solution. Performance may be affected by audio delays and interference, so proceed with caution. The PCIe2 x4 connection is significantly slower than advertised, possibly making it unsuitable for demanding applications. It might be time to consider Dante instead. The 5000 CPUs should fit in WRX80 motherboards, though dual CPU support and over-clocking are still under discussion. DDR5 and PCIe5 versions could offer better speeds, so waiting might be wise. I chose the Asus WRX80 for its seven PCIe4 slots, but setup is pending. I installed 3200 non-ECC RAM, expecting it won’t be critical for video work. The 3080Ti is likely PCIe4 now, while dual-slot 3090s provide additional capacity. I plan to wait for a 4090 model. Ensure enough space at the bottom of the chassis for a dual-width card and SATA connections. Finding a rack mount is difficult; stock availability is limited for InWin 400-01 and Supermicro 4U coolers. Stick with the Fractal Design Define 7 XL—its mesh sound is a bit louder.