According to a leaked spec sheet, the upcoming 5000-series chips will support dual-socket AMD Threadripper systems, which means two chips can work in tandem in one system (like a dual-socket server), bringing up to 128 cores to workstations.

AMD’s next-generation Threadripper Pro 5000WX-series CPUs for high-end workstations will be based on the Zen 3 microarchitecture and will have up to 64 cores, as expected. The big news is that the new processors will come with a secret weapon: 2-way SMP, which allows for dual-socket operation.

AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper Pro 5000WX family will include the 64-core 5995WX, 32-core 5975WX, 24-core 5965WX, 16-core 5955WX, and high-frequency 12-core 5945WX with a default clock of 4.10 GHz and a maximum clock of 4.55 GHz, according to the leaked document.

However, if the excerpt is right, the key feature of AMD’s next-generation Ryzen Threadripper Pro 5000WX CPUs will have 2-way symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) capabilities. This allows you to combine two Ryzen Threadripper Pro 5000WX chips to create a computer with up to 128 cores running at 2.70 GHz to 4.55 GHz, or 24 cores running at a blistering 4.10 GHz to 4.55 GHz.

AMD offers EPYC processors for dual-socket workstations, therefore dual-socket capability for a workstation platform is unusual. However, because those CPUs operate at much lower speeds, it’s unclear how AMD intends to differentiate its Ryzen Threadripper Pro WX5000-series from EPYCs.

Companies such as Dell, HP, and Lenovo specialize in dual-processor workstations. They are usually as expensive as a car and are intended for the most performance-oriented professionals with deep pockets.

At this time, it’s unlikely that motherboard manufacturers will offer dual-socket sWRX8 platforms, as 128-core/256-thread machines are far too powerful even for workstations (which is why this capability might be canned if AMD feels that it is easier to offer Epyc platforms for the same market segment instead). Meanwhile, Asus and Gigabyte are expected to release all-new single-socket motherboards for the upcoming Ryzen Threadripper Pro 5000WX CPUs, according to the report.

AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper Pro keeps eight memory channels, allowing for enough bandwidth and memory support for professional applications. Although we don’t know if the new products will be drop-in compatible with the existing sWRX8 platform, the CPUs will continue to use the sWRX8 socket (probably they will, albeit with a BIOS update).

Because the Ryzen Threadripper Pro processors are meant for professional workstations rather than gamers (you won’t find them on our list of the best CPUs for gaming), it’s no surprise that they all feature comparable 4.55 GHz boost frequency and a maximum TDP of 280W. The chips will include B2 stepping as well.

There is no Ryzen Threadripper 5000-series non-Pro CPUs insight, which is bad for high-end desktop (HEDT) aficionados. To that end, consumers who want a Zen 3-based desktop with more than 16 cores will have to get the Pro model and forego overclocking. Perhaps AMD is still working on a new HEDT platform, but no details have been revealed thus far. Because AMD rarely comments on upcoming products or leaks, take everything with a grain of salt.