AMD Zen 6 “Venice” Leak: Unveiling 2nm Node, 256 Cores, and DDR5-6400

AMD Zen 6 “Venice” Leak: Unveiling 2nm Node, 256 Cores, and DDR5-6400

Exciting news for tech enthusiasts and AMD fans! The first leaks about the highly anticipated AMD Zen 6 processors have surfaced, giving us a glimpse into the future of computing power. These chips, set to succeed Zen 5 in 2025-26, are expected to bring significant advancements in modularity, I/O capabilities, and core density. While these leaks should be taken with a grain of salt, the source, “Moore’s Law is Dead,” has proven to be reliable in the past.

Before we dive into the details of Zen 6, let’s talk about what’s coming up in the near future. We can expect the first Zen 5 SKUs to hit the market in the second quarter of 2024, followed by Zen 5c variants later that year. But today, our focus is on the Zen 6 EPYC lineup, particularly the SP7 and SP8 Venice CPUs.

One of the key changes planned for Zen 6 is the introduction of 32 core CCDs (Core Complex Dies) and multiple IODs (Input/Output Dies). While low and midrange processors will continue to use single IODs, higher-end and flagship models will adopt multiple smaller I/O dies. For instance, the 32-core variants of Epyc “Venice” will feature a single IOD alongside a Zen 6 CCD and an NCD (Networking Compute Die). This configuration will allow for quad-channel DDR5-6400 memory, 32 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, and 16 PCIe Gen 6 lanes.

Moving up the ladder, the 64-core Venice will boast two I/O dies, two 32-core Zen 6 CCDs, and additional add-on dies such as NCDs and FPGAs. This powerful processor will support 8-channel DDR5-6400 memory, 64 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, and 32 PCIe Gen 6 lanes. Interestingly, the NCD and FPGA slots can be swapped for standard CCDs or AI units based on the specific requirements of the client.

Now, let’s talk about the flagship of the Zen 6 lineup, the “Venice SP7.” This beast of a processor is expected to feature up to 8 Zen 6 CCDs, totaling a mind-boggling 256 cores. Alongside this incredible core count, it will support 16 DDR5-6400 memory channels, 128 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, and 64 Gen 6 lanes. Each CCD is anticipated to be manufactured using a 2nm-class node, while the IOD will be based on a 4nm derivative. Additionally, AMD plans to offer flexibility by allowing users to swap compute dies with AI, NCD, or FPGA options depending on market demand.

One interesting observation from these leaks is the absence of Zen 6c. It remains unclear whether AMD has renamed it or decided to eliminate the separateion altogether. This move raises questions about the potential impact on memory-sensitive workloads like gaming, as Zen 4’s extra L3 cache significantly improves performance in such scenarios. Furthermore, the Zen 4c cores are designed for higher boost clocks compared to their larger counterparts, resulting in a noticeable performance difference between them.

While these leaks provide an exciting glimpse into the future of AMD processors, it’s important to remember that they are not official announcements. However, considering the track record of “Moore’s Law is Dead,” there is reason to be optimistic about what Zen 6 has in store for us. As we eagerly await more information from AMD, it’s clear that the company is pushing boundaries and striving to deliver technology to power the next generation of computing.

Background Information

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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.

  

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Technology Explained

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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.

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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.

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FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are a type of technology used in the computer industry. They are integrated circuits that can be programmed to perform specific tasks. FPGAs are used in a variety of applications, including digital signal processing, networking, and embedded systems. They are also used in the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms. FPGAs are advantageous because they can be reprogrammed to perform different tasks, allowing for greater flexibility and faster development times. Additionally, FPGAs are more energy efficient than traditional processors, making them ideal for applications that require low power consumption.

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L3 cache: L3 cache is a type of computer memory that is used to store frequently used data and instructions. It is located between the processor and main memory, and is used to reduce the amount of time it takes for the processor to access data from main memory. This helps to improve the overall performance of the computer. In the computer industry, L3 cache is used in many applications, such as gaming, video editing, and web browsing. It can also be used to improve the performance of servers and other high-performance computing tasks. By providing faster access to data, L3 cache can help to reduce the amount of time it takes for a computer to complete a task.

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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.

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SP7: SP7 is a rumoured new (LGA) socket for the AMD EPYC CPU on the Zen 6 platform.

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