AMD’s Ryzen Pro desktop chips aimed at highly compute-intensive workplaces

Why it matters to you

You will soon have another option besides Intel for your commercial-grade professional workstation.

AMD is in the middle of rolling out some significant new advancements across its entire product line. Its Ryzen CPUs based on the new Zen architecture are challenging Intel’s best processors, and AMD’s Vega Frontier Edition GPUs are now available with even faster Radeon Vega consumer gaming GPUs coming later this year.

AMD hasn’t forgotten about the high-end market commercial, however, with its AMD Epyc family of server processors offering extremely powerful options for the data center. Now, AMD is following up on Epyc with its announcement of the new Ryzen Pro desktop chips aimed squarely at highly compute-intensive workplaces.

Ryzen Pro utilizes the Zen architecture to enhance its Ryzen line to meet the needs of enterprise-class applications and multitasking workflows. AMD is promising up to 52 percent better computer performance over the previous generation of CPUs, while the Ryzen 7 Pro 1700 will outperform competing solutions like Intel’s Core i7-7700 by up to 62 percent.

The Ryzen Pro lineup will come in six configurations:

Product Line
Model
Cores
Threads
Boost Clock (GHz)
Base Clock (GHz)
TDP (Watts)
Ryzen 7 Pro
1700X
8
16
3.8
3.4
95
Ryzen 7 Pro
1700
8
16
3.7
3.0
65
Ryzen 5 Pro
1600
6
12
3.6
3.2
65
Ryzen 5 Pro
1500
4
8
3.7
3.5
65
Ryzen 3 Pro
1300
4
4
3.7
3.5
65
Ryzen 3 Pro
1200
4
4
3.4
3.1
65

According to AMD, each Ryzen Pro CPU will significantly outperform the relevant Intel alternative. The Ryzen 5 Pro 1600, for example, will be 8 percent faster in PCMark10, 39 percent faster in Geekbench, and 92 percent faster in Cinebench R15 than the Intel Core i5-7500.

In addition, AMD is packing Ryzen Pro full of its most important enterprise features, aiming at providing the most manageable, reliable, robust, and secure platform available. AMD SenseMI will provide its usual enhancements, including Precision Boost for precision tuning in 25MHz increments, Extended Frequency Range (XFR) support for automatic increase in processor clock speeds when system and processor cooling is sufficient, and Neural Net Prediction, Smart Prefetch, and Pure Power functionality.

Security is the major enhancement in Ryzen Pro aimed at the enterprise. All Ryzen Pro CPUs will benefit from the following AMD security technologies:

• Transparent Secure Memory Encryption: DRAM encryption is provided independent of the OS and application without needing any software modification and with a low performance impact.
• Secure Boot Process: Industry Standard Secure Boot secures the system before threats can attack via Industry Standard Secure Boot BIOS protection.
• Trusted Applications: fTPM enabled with TMP 2.0 support, this feature provides for secure storage and trusted applications processing with real-time intrusion detection.
• Secure Production Environment: Hardware, firmware, BIOS, and configurations are tested and confirmed prior to shipment, with security starting on the assembly line at the moment of production.

AMD is also promising the highest level of reliability, with 18-month image stability, 24-month processor availability, commercial-grade, high-yield wafers, and industry-leading DASH manageability. Along with a Commercial Limited Warranty, the Ryzen Pro is certified for the enterprise.

Ryzen Pro will be available worldwide in the second half of 2017. AMD will be making Ryzen Pro mobile CPUs available in the first half of 2018.