AMD Unveils EPYC 8004 “Siena” CPUs: Zen 4c Empowers Edge-Optimized Server Chips

AMD has released the EPYC 8004 series, the fourth and final member of its 4th generation EPYC processor family, designed for cost-sensitive markets with 8-64 CPU cores, 6 DDR5 memory channels, and 96 PCIe Gen 5 lanes.

AMD's entry into the telco, networking, and edge market
Cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency for non-datacenter environments
More cores even in cheaper configurations

AMD has officially launched the EPYC 8004 series, the fourth and final member of its 4th generation EPYC processor family. Codenamed Siena, these processors are designed for the telco, edge, and other price-sensitive markets. The EPYC 8004 series is built on the same Zen4c cores as the previously released Bergamo processors, offering server processors with 8 to 64 CPU cores.

Siena marks AMD’s entry into the telco, networking, and edge market. Unlike the high-performance Genoa chips, Siena focuses on cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency for non-datacenter environments. It fills the gap in AMD’s 4th generation EPYC stack as the long-awaited low-end segment.

While the launch of Siena may not generate as much excitement as its predecessors, it brings some notable changes to the AMD ecosystem. Despite using the same silicon as Bergamo, Siena introduces a new server socket called Socket SP6. This smaller socket size allows for cheaper motherboards and takes advantage of the reduced I/O lanes and memory channels used by Siena.

The EPYC 8004 family offers fewer DDR5 memory channels and PCIe Gen 5 lanes compared to other EPYC parts. With 6 channels of DDR5 memory and 96 lanes of PCIe Gen 5, Siena is a lighter-weight platform optimized for cost-efficiency.

AMD is launching Siena with a stack of 12 chips, each differentiated by the number of Zen 4c CPU cores available. The flagship model, EPYC 8534P, offers 64 Zen 4c cores with a TDP of 200 watts. On the other end of the spectrum is the EPYC 8024P, featuring just 8 CPU cores. These chips cater to customers who prioritize CPU core count over single-threaded performance.

While Siena doesn’t introduce any new silicon, it aims to emphasize the cost advantage over Intel’s 4th generation Xeon processors. AMD’s focus on CPU performance allows them to offer more cores even in cheaper configurations, giving them an edge in workloads that don’t require Intel’s accelerators.

AMD claims that Siena chips are available now, with prices ranging from $5,450 to $409 in 1,000 unit quantities. Major server vendors like Dell, Lenovo, and Supermicro are expected to launch new platforms based on Siena in the coming weeks, targeting edge-optimized systems.

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Background Information

About AMD: AMD, a large player in the semiconductor industry is known for its powerful processors and graphic solutions, AMD has consistently pushed the boundaries of performance, efficiency, and user experience. With a customer-centric approach, the company has cultivated a reputation for delivering high-performance solutions that cater to the needs of gamers, professionals, and general users. AMD's Ryzen series of processors have redefined the landscape of desktop and laptop computing, offering impressive multi-core performance and competitive pricing that has challenged the dominance of its competitors. Complementing its processor expertise, AMD's Radeon graphics cards have also earned accolades for their efficiency and exceptional graphical capabilities, making them a favored choice among gamers and content creators. The company's commitment to innovation and technology continues to shape the client computing landscape, providing users with powerful tools to fuel their digital endeavors.

About Dell: Dell is a globally technology leader providing comprehensive solutions in the field of hardware, software, and services. for its customizable computers and enterprise solutions, Dell offers a diverse range of laptops, desktops, servers, and networking equipment. With a commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, Dell caters to a wide range of consumer and business needs, making it a important player in the tech industry.

About Intel: Intel Corporation, a global technology leader, is for its semiconductor innovations that power computing and communication devices worldwide. As a pioneer in microprocessor technology, Intel has left an indelible mark on the evolution of computing with its processors that drive everything from PCs to data centers and beyond. With a history of advancements, Intel's relentless pursuit of innovation continues to shape the digital landscape, offering solutions that empower businesses and individuals to achieve new levels of productivity and connectivity.

About Lenovo: Lenovo, formerly known as "Legend Holdings," is a important global technology company that offers an extensive portfolio of computers, smartphones, servers, and electronic devices. Notably, Lenovo acquired IBM's personal computer division, including the ThinkPad line of laptops, in 2005. With a strong presence in laptops and PCs, Lenovo's products cater to a wide range of consumer and business needs. Committed to innovation and quality, Lenovo delivers reliable and high-performance solutions, making it a significant player in the tech industry.

About Supermicro: Supermicro is a reputable American technology company founded in 1993 and headquartered in San Jose, California. Specializing in high-performance server and storage solutions, Supermicro has become a trusted name in the data center industry. The company offers a wide range of innovative and customizable server hardware, including motherboards, servers, storage systems, and networking equipment, catering to the needs of enterprise clients, cloud service providers, and businesses seeking reliable infrastructure solutions.

Technology Explained

CPU: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of a computer, responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations. It is the most important component of a computer system, as it is responsible for controlling all other components. CPUs are used in a wide range of applications, from desktop computers to mobile devices, gaming consoles, and even supercomputers. CPUs are used to process data, execute instructions, and control the flow of information within a computer system. They are also used to control the input and output of data, as well as to store and retrieve data from memory. CPUs are essential for the functioning of any computer system, and their applications in the computer industry are vast.

DDR5: DDR5 (Double Data Rate 5) is the next generation of memory technology for the computer industry. It is a modern day improvement on earlier DDR technologies, with faster speeds, greater bandwidth and higher capacities. DDR5 enables higher resolution, seamless gaming experiences and faster data transfer rates, making it an ideal choice for high-performance computing and 4K gaming. With its greater RAM compatibility, DDR5 provides faster buffering times and raised clock speeds, giving users an improved overall work system. DDR5 is also optimized for multi-tasking, allowing users to multitask without experiencing a significant drop in performance, increasing the productivity of digital tasks. As an ever-evolving technology, DDR5 is paving the way for the computer industry into a new and powerful era.

EPYC: EPYC is a technology designed by computer chip manufacturer AMD for use in the server and data center industry. It was introduced in June 2017 and features an innovative design to improve performance and power efficiency. EPYC processor technology is based on an innovative 14nm processor architecture, allowing up to 32 high-performance cores in a single socket. This allows for more efficient processing power, increased memory bandwidth, and greater compute density. EPYC is now widely used in the data center and cloud computing industry and provides benefits such as greater scalability, increased resource efficiency, and advanced virtualization capabilities. Additionally, EPYC technology is used in data intensive servers like server farms, gaming, and virtualization platforms. EPYC ensures that even with large deployments in multi-processor environments, power consumption and performance levels are optimized to ensure maximum efficiency.

PCIe: PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for connecting components such as graphics cards, sound cards, and network cards to a motherboard. It is the most widely used interface in the computer industry today, and is used in both desktop and laptop computers. PCIe is capable of providing up to 16 times the bandwidth of the older PCI standard, allowing for faster data transfer speeds and improved performance. It is also used in a variety of other applications, such as storage, networking, and communications. PCIe is an essential component of modern computing, and its applications are only expected to grow in the future.

SP6: SP6 (LGA 4844) is a zero insertion force land grid array CPU socket designed by AMD supporting its Epyc server processors.Socket SP6 is limited to 32 or 64 cores (Socket SP5 is intended for processors with 96 or 128 cores). SP6 will be physically smaller, as it is designed for processors with TDPs up to 225W. In addition to possessing fewer cores, SP6 has diminished I/O capabilities.

Xeon: The Intel Xeon processor is a powerful and reliable processor used in many computer systems. It is a multi-core processor that is designed to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. It is used in servers, workstations, and high-end desktop computers. It is also used in many embedded systems, such as routers and switches. The Xeon processor is known for its high performance and scalability, making it a popular choice for many computer applications. It is also used in many cloud computing applications, as it is capable of handling large amounts of data and providing high levels of performance. The Xeon processor is also used in many scientific and engineering applications, as it is capable of handling complex calculations and simulations.