AMD says Windows 10 Pro and Linux are just fine for Threadripper 3990X
You won’t need a more expensive Windows 10 license to get AMD’s best processor.
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What you need to know
AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper 3990X is a beast. It’s one of the most powerful CPUs ever created and it can achieve feats no other CPU before it could, like the ability torun Crysiswithout a dedicated GPU. Up until now, however, logic dictated that Windows 10 Pro simplywasn’t sufficientfor AMD’s powerhouse CPU, and Linux was off the cards if you wanted to get the most out of AMD’s monster CPU.
Turns out this isn’t true, and AMD has sent out an official response to the issue, as quoted fromWCCF Tech:
We wanted to clarify that AMD officially recommends Windows 10 Professional or Linux for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X. Higher editions/versions of Windows 10 confer no additional performance or compatibility benefits to the processor.We do understand that this suggestion has been made in some articles, and our team is presently testing this further, but this is the official recommendation.
So while the Ryzen Threadripper 3990X doesn’t display all 128 threads for its 64 cores properly in Windows 10 Pro’s task manager, the performance of the CPU isn’t affected at all. That means you won’t actually have to shell out more dough for a Windows 10 Pro for Workstations or a Windows 10 Enterprise license just to get the most out of your pricey new CPU. At $3,990 for the processor itself, that’s a very good thing.
Linux patrons will also be happy to note that their operating system of choice won’t negatively affect the performance of the Threadripper 3990X, either.
To ensure you can run the Threadripper 3990X without any performance issues, check to see that you’re at least on Windows 10 Pro version18362.592or higher. You can do this by right-clicking on your Start button, clickingrun, and type inwinver, and pressOK. It will look like the image above.
The Threadripper 3990X is the most beastly processor AMD has ever built. 64 cores, 128 threads, NVMe RAID support, and all the power you’ll ever need.
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Nick started with DOS and NES and uses those fond memories of floppy disks and cartridges to fuel his opinions on modern tech. Whether it’s VR, smart home gadgets, or something else that beeps and boops, he’s been writing about it since 2011. Reach him on Twitter or Instagram @Gwanatu
