16-core Ryzen 9 5950X overclocked to 4.7 GHz on all cores @1.12V outperforms 32-core Threadripper 2990WX in Cinebench R23

Consumers do not usually factor in the overclocking potential when buying a computer processor, since forcing the chip to run at higher speeds for too long could affect the circuit endurance, thus reducing the CPU lifespan. However, with the new Ryzen 5000 desktop processors from AMD, users are essentially encouraged to explore the overclocking potential, and the whole process is now more simple than ever thanks to the new Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) 2.0 feature that primarily focuses on adaptive undervolting. There also seems to be a greater variance between the new Ryzen 5000 chips when it comes to overclocking potential. We have already seen the Ryzen 9 5900X overclocked to 4.82 GHz on all cores coupled with DDR4-3933 RAM, but, it looks like the Ryzen 9 5950X can provide an even greater overclocking potential, especially on “golden samples.”

AMD’s Ryzen 9 5950X is currently the flagship CPU for desktop users and it comes with 16 cores and 32 threads that can boost to 4.4 GHz by default. Depending on the binning quality of the sample, boost clocks can reach even higher frequencies through undervolting methods. Of course, users can also crank up the voltage in order to achieve higher clocks, but this could prove harmful for the CPU in the long run. Now, some new X570 motherboards already feature PBO 2.0 support, although older models are scheduled to receive the BIOS update in early December. Twitter user CornerJack got to play around with the new undervolting features and managed to overclock his Ryzen 9 5950X “golden sample” to 4.7 GHz on all cores @1.19 V. Coupled with a pair of GSkill TridentZ Royal 4400 running at 3800 MHz 14-13-13-28 and using only a 480 mm watercooler, the CPU was tested in Cinebench R23 and it was able to perform ~3% faster than a 32-core/64-thread Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX in the multi-core benchmark.

Granted, this is a two-year old Threadripper model that is based on the 12 nm Zen+ cores, but it features double the core / thread count and is still more than twice as expensive. Also, it seems like undervolting and overclocking the new Ryzen 5000 CPUs is quite easy to pull off even with regular AIO coolers. We are looking forward to seeing professional overclockers undervolting some of these “golden sample” flagships cooled on liquid nitrogen.