# X399

> motherboard chipset for socket TR4 and AMD Ryzen Threadripper processors

**Wikidata**: [Q108198141](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q108198141)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/x399

## Summary  
The X399 is AMD’s high‑end motherboard chipset introduced in 2017 for the TR4 socket, enabling the first generation of Ryzen Threadripper desktop processors. It provides the data‑flow management needed for high‑performance workstations and enthusiast PCs.

## Key Facts  
- **Inception:** 2017 【source】  
- **Manufacturer:** AMD 【source】  
- **Instance of:** chipset 【source】  
- **Primary use:** high‑end desktop computers and workstations 【source】  
- **Compatible socket:** Socket TR4 【source】  
- **Supported CPUs:** AMD Ryzen Threadripper (Zen 1 and Zen + architectures) 【source】  
- **Aliases:** AMD X399, X399 chipset, TR4 chipset 【source】  
- **Replaced by:** TRX40 and WRX80 chipsets 【source】  
- **Distinct from:** Socket TR4, TRX40, WRX80 【source】

## FAQs  
### Q: Which processors work with the X399 chipset?  
A: The X399 supports AMD Ryzen Threadripper CPUs built on the Zen 1 and Zen + microarchitectures and requires the TR4 socket.  

### Q: What socket does the X399 chipset use?  
A: It is designed for the TR4 socket, which is the physical interface for first‑generation Threadripper processors.  

### Q: Which chipset succeeded the X399?  
A: AMD’s TRX40 and WRX80 chipsets succeeded the X399, adding support for newer Threadripper generations and additional features.  

### Q: Is the X399 chipset the same as the TR4 socket?  
A: No. The X399 is a chipset that manages data flow on a motherboard, while the TR4 socket is the physical connector for the CPU; they work together but are distinct components.  

### Q: What market segment is the X399 targeted at?  
A: It is aimed at high‑end desktop (HEDT) users and professional workstations that need extensive PCIe lanes, memory bandwidth, and I/O capabilities.  

## Why It Matters  
The X399 chipset marked AMD’s entry into the high‑end desktop (HEDT) arena, a segment previously dominated by Intel’s X99 and X299 platforms. By pairing the X399 with the TR4 socket and the first‑generation Ryzen Threadripper CPUs, AMD delivered unprecedented core counts, memory bandwidth, and PCIe lane availability to enthusiasts and professionals at a competitive price point. This combination enabled workloads such as 3D rendering, video production, scientific simulation, and heavy multitasking to run more efficiently on consumer‑grade hardware. The X399’s introduction also demonstrated AMD’s ability to design a cohesive platform—chipset, socket, and CPU—that could scale from mainstream to workstation‑class performance, reshaping market expectations and prompting rapid innovation across the industry. Although later superseded by TRX40 and WRX80, the X399 set a benchmark for integration, performance, and value in the HEDT market.

## Notable For  
- First AMD chipset to support the high‑core‑count Ryzen Threadripper CPUs.  
- Provided a large number of PCIe lanes and quad‑channel memory support for workstation‑grade tasks.  
- Served as the foundation for AMD’s HEDT platform strategy, leading to subsequent TRX40 and WRX80 chipsets.  
- Enabled a cost‑effective alternative to Intel’s HEDT offerings at launch.  

## Body  

### Overview  
- The X399 is a motherboard chipset released by AMD in 2017.  
- It is classified as a **chipset**, a set of integrated circuits that manage communication between the CPU, memory, and peripherals.  

### Compatibility  
- **Socket:** Designed exclusively for the TR4 socket.  
- **CPUs:** Supports AMD Ryzen Threadripper processors, specifically those based on Zen 1 and Zen + architectures.  
- **Memory:** Works with quad‑channel DDR4 memory configurations, typical for high‑performance desktops.  

### Technical Characteristics  
- Provides extensive PCIe lane distribution, facilitating multiple GPUs and high‑speed storage devices.  
- Handles I/O functions such as USB, SATA, and networking interfaces required by workstation environments.  

### Evolution and Succession  
- The X399 was succeeded by the **TRX40** chipset (for Threadripper 3000 series) and the **WRX80** chipset (for Threadripper Pro).  
- These newer chipsets expanded support to later CPU generations and added features like PCIe 4.0.  

### Legacy  
- Although now obsolete, the X399 remains a reference point for AMD’s HEDT platform development.  
- It demonstrated AMD’s capability to deliver a complete, high‑performance ecosystem for power users and professionals.