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AMD released the Zen 4 architecture in 2022, powering its Ryzen 7000 and 8000 chips that delivered game-changing power, especially in the 7900X3D and 7800X3D processors. However, rumors are building that AMD will launch its successor, the Zen 5 architecture, soon.
So, here’s everything we know about the AMD Zen 5 architecture and when Zen 5 may finally launch.
1It’s Coming in the Latter Half of 2024
According to Tom’s Hardware’sPaul Alcorn on X, an AMD representative confirmed the arrival of the Zen 5 in the second half of 2024. If we look at history, AMDlaunched the preceding Zen 4 during Computex 2022, almost at the start of the latter half of 2022.
Another popular AMD leaker,High Yield, said on Xthat Zen 5 will likely launch between April and June 2024. This timeline sits perfectly for starting retail sales in the latter half of 2024, with the announcement at Computex.
If AMD hits its target schedule, we can expect the Zen 5 architecture to launch at Computex 2024, scheduled for June 4 to 7. This makes sense as Computex is one of the largest annual computer and technology trade shows. Furthermore, it has seen the launch of processors, like a couple of11th-Gen Intel Core Processorsand theSamsung Exynos chip with an RDNA2 GPU.
While AMD hasn’t officially announced or confirmed anything, we’re excited about what the company will release in June 2024 in Taiwan.
2AMD Zen 5 Powers the Strix Point and Granite Ridge Processors
The Zen 4 architecture launched with the Ryzen 7000-Series in 2022, and AMD announced the succeeding Ryzen 8000 chips in January 2024, which still use the previous architecture. As reported by High Yield on X, the AMD Zen 5 will launch with the Ryzen 9000 Series processors.
However, it’s unknown if it will first appear on the Strix Point mobile chips or with the Granite Ridge desktop processors. Despite that, we expect the 9000-series to feature the same package chiplet design as the Zen 4.
Another big change we expect with the Zen 5 is its use of TSMC’s 4nm and3nm process nodes. These nodes make it faster and more efficient than the previous 5nm process used in the Zen 4 architecture.
3It Uses the Big.LITTLE Architecture
Performancedatabases.com recently posted leaked CPU-Z and HWINFO screenshots of a supposedly AMD Zen 5 Strix Point APU featuring four performance and eight efficiency cores—similar to Intel’s E-cores and P-cores.
We don’t know if the big.LITTLE architecture will make it on 9000-Series desktop chips. However, AMD already uses this design with its Ryzen 8500G and 8300G processors. So, seeing it in both mobile and desktop Zen 5 chips makes sense.
As AMD is adding several new features to the Zen 5 processors, we’re excited to see how they will compare to Intel’s upcoming 15th-Gen Arrow Lake chips, which are expected to useIntel’s new naming scheme. If both companies make processors that deliver on their promises, we will have a hard time determiningwhich is the best gaming CPU.
44. Zen 5 Is Compatible With the AM5 Socket
If you’ve recentlyupgraded to an AMD AM5 Socket motherboard, you’re able to remain excited about the Zen 5 processors, which are reportedly compatible with this socket. So, even if you just dropped a few hundred dollars ona Ryzen 7000-series X3D chip, you can quickly sell your current processor and upgrade to a Zen 5 9000-Series processor with a BIOS update.
You also likely don’t need to upgrade your RAM or other PC parts, as they will be compatible with a Zen 5 processor. And as the 8000-series chips feature powerful Radeon RDNA3 integrated graphics, you could ditch your entry-level GPU if the 9000-Series APUsuse AMD’s RDNA 3.5, which could potentially perform better than the former, likethe AMD RX 6400 or the NVIDIA GTX 1630.
While AMD hasn’t made any official announcements, these reports are based on leakers and other personalities who have historically made accurate predictions. Furthermore, we’ve also confirmed some of the information through meetings like earnings calls, which the general public is often uninterested in.
But until AMD makes a press release that confirms any or all of these, nothing is set in stone. Nevertheless, we’re excited about what Zen 5 will bring to computing. And if Intel delivers a great year with the Arrow Lake chips, then we’re in for an excellent year of competition between these two giants in the desktop and laptop processor industry.
