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Rumor mill: As AMD preps its upcoming Zen 6 structure, unbiased studies from trade insiders are shedding mild on what customers can count on from the following technology of Ryzen desktop processors. Two distinguished sources – Yuri Bubily, recognized within the fanatic group as 1usmus, and techtuber Moore’s Legislation Is Useless – have independently shared particulars that paint an image of a chip technology centered on incremental but significant enhancements.
Yuri Bubily, creator of the Hydra tuning software program, revealed on his official Discord that engineering samples of Zen 6-based Ryzen CPUs have already reached AMD’s trade companions. In accordance with Bubily, Zen 6 is finest described as an evolution of Zen 5, moderately than a whole overhaul. The brand new structure brings a notable increase in CPU core counts per chiplet, with as much as 12 cores per CCD anticipated. This might permit desktop processors to achieve as much as 24 cores and 48 threads when two CCDs are paired on a single chip, a big leap from earlier generations.
The cache subsystem can be getting a lift, with every CCD that includes as much as 48 MB of L3 cache. Bubily notes that the built-in reminiscence controller is being redesigned: Zen 6 will implement a twin IMC configuration, however will retain the acquainted two-channel DDR5 reminiscence setup. This implies customers mustn’t count on quad-channel reminiscence help on mainstream platforms, however increased reminiscence speeds are anticipated. The shopper I/O die may even be up to date, probably shifting to a more moderen EUV course of node, which ought to enhance effectivity and bandwidth.
Importantly, Bubily emphasizes that there aren’t any main adjustments anticipated for AMD’s boosting algorithms or the Curve Optimizer characteristic – each staples for fanatics who fine-tune their programs. He reassures customers that Hydra help for Zen 6 will probably be easy and that the brand new CPUs will stay appropriate with present AM5 motherboards. This stands in distinction to Intel’s upcoming Nova Lake-S processors, which would require a brand new socket and motherboard.
Whereas 1usmus focuses on architectural refinements, Moore’s Legislation Is Useless highlights AMD’s aggressive push for increased clock speeds and superior manufacturing. He studies that AMD is internally testing Zen 6 desktop CPUs that already obtain 6.4 GHz, with an formidable goal of surpassing 7 GHz on the high-end N2X course of node from TSMC. This may signify the highest-clocked x86 processor AMD has ever produced, and a dramatic leap over the present Zen 4’s 5.7 GHz peak.
The YouTuber explains that solely the top-tier desktop variants will use the N2X node, which is an enhanced model of TSMC’s 2nm course of. Different Zen 6 merchandise, such because the Medusa Level APUs and Venice-class EPYC server chips, will depend on extra mature N2P or N3P nodes. These chips could not attain the identical uncooked frequencies however are anticipated to ship notable good points in effectivity and performance-per-watt. For cellular platforms, clock speeds are projected to prime out round 6.2 to six.5 GHz, nonetheless a considerable uplift over present technology cellular CPUs.
The transfer to those superior nodes isn’t just about frequency. It additionally allows increased transistor density, which helps the elevated core counts and bigger caches described by Bubily. Moore’s Legislation additionally studies that AMD is exploring the opportunity of stacking a number of layers of 3D V-Cache, probably pushing whole L3 cache as excessive as 240 MB for sure gaming-focused SKUs.
Each sources agree that Zen 6 will proceed to make use of the AM5 socket, preserving improve paths for present Ryzen customers. The structure is anticipated to deliver double-digit enhancements in directions per clock, increased DDR5 reminiscence pace help, and related thermal design energy profiles in comparison with Zen 5.
Whereas the precise launch date stays unconfirmed, most indications level to a launch window in mid-to-late 2026, aligning with the debut of Intel’s Nova Lake-S desktop CPUs.