Friday, February 12th 2016

AMD "Zen" Processors to Feature SMT, Support up to 8 DDR4 Memory Channels

CERN engineer Liviu Valsan, in a recent presentation on datacenter hardware trends, presented a curious looking slide that highlights some of the key features of AMD's upcoming "Zen" CPU architecture. We know from a recent story that the architecture is scalable up to 32 cores per socket, and that AMD is building these chips on the 14 nanometer FinFET process.

Among the other key features detailed on the slide are symmetric multi-threading (SMT). Implemented for over a decade by Intel as HyperThreading Technology, SMT exposes a physical core as two logical CPUs to the software, letting it make better use of the hardware resources. Another feature is talk of up to eight DDR4 memory channels. This could mean that AMD is readying a product to compete with the Xeon E7 series. Lastly, the slide mentions that "Zen" could bring about IPC improvements that are 40 percent higher than the current architecture.
Source: HotHardware
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130 Comments on AMD "Zen" Processors to Feature SMT, Support up to 8 DDR4 Memory Channels

#26
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
Kurt MaverickNvidia has slightly superior but generally fair prices to their producs, it's mainly Intel the ones that are being absolutely abusive and inmobile about them.
It isn't like AMD doesn't jack up their prices when they can. It feels like everyone forgets the $1,000 FX-57 and FX-60. When AMD has the lead, they are real quick to jack up those prices.
Posted on Reply
#27
TheGuruStud
newtekie1It isn't like AMD doesn't jack up their prices when they can. It feels like everyone forgets the $1,000 FX-57 and FX-60. When AMD has the lead, they are real quick to jack up those prices.
Straw man. Those were very top end parts akin to EE CPUs. You will always pay a premium.

Also, you can charge that when it's decimating the competition. Intel never lowered prices when they sucked b/c they ruled through marketing and bribing publications.

Let's not forget they literally owned Bapco and literally rigged Sysmark. Many still don't know about this. They tried to cover it up when people called them out on Sysmark 2002.
This pile of shit was printed in ACADEMIC books as proof of how awesome intel was. It was pure propaganda. Intel has many methods for their propaganda machine.
Posted on Reply
#28
xfia
they have been planning this for years.. hit them with shitty apu's for at least 4 gens and then when intel leasts expects it use a get out of jail free card signed by samsung haha to make them high powered hsa apu's and cpu's for gaming workstations and servers.
Posted on Reply
#29
Kanan
Tech Enthusiast & Gamer
GoldenXI hope it's not a Nuclear FX Reactor. A DDR4 Zen APU sounds like a great low cost/low power upgrade for my old Deneb+HD7750.
It seems they can do whatever they want with the new design, low power high efficiency/ high performance and high power, low efficiency/maximum performance parts.

Also the latest AMD architecture is "Excavator" not "Steamroller" (as in A10 7870). A new Athlon with Excavator cores was already released. www.anandtech.com/show/10009/amd-launches-excavator-on-desktop-the-65w-athlon-x4-845-for-70
Posted on Reply
#30
Frick
Fishfaced Nincompoop
GoldenXI hope it's not a Nuclear FX Reactor. A DDR4 Zen APU sounds like a great low cost/low power upgrade for my old Deneb+HD7750.
HBM APU. :D
Posted on Reply
#31
64K
xfiathey have been planning this for years.. hit them with shitty apu's for at least 4 gens and then when intel leasts expects it use a get out of jail free card signed by samsung haha to make them high powered hsa apu's and cpu's for gaming workstations and servers.
Intel is washed up.

Intel only made a paltry 11.4 billion dollar profit last year while AMD went further into the red by 660 million dollars.

www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/intel-reports-full-year-revenue-of-55-4-billion-q4-revenue-of-14-9-billion.219260/

www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/amd-reports-2015-fourth-quarter-and-annual-results.219376/

Intel's pathetic market cap of 133 billion dollars compared to AMD's 1.47 billion dollar market cap and that Intel outspends AMD 10 to 1 on R&D and the fact that AMD owes about twice as much as what they are worth and can't hope to repay their debts unless a miracle drops down from heaven on them proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Intel will be begging Lisa Su for scraps from her table soon.

www.msn.com/en-us/money/stockdetails/fi-126.1.INTC.NAS

www.msn.com/en-us/money/stockdetails/fi-126.1.AMD.NAS
Posted on Reply
#32
TheGuruStud
64KIntel is washed up.

Intel only made a paltry 11.4 billion dollar profit last year while AMD went further into the red by 660 million dollars.

www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/intel-reports-full-year-revenue-of-55-4-billion-q4-revenue-of-14-9-billion.219260/

www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/amd-reports-2015-fourth-quarter-and-annual-results.219376/

Intel's pathetic market share of 133 billion dollars compared to AMD's 1.47 billion dollar market share and the fact that AMD owes about twice as much as what they are worth and can't hope to repay their debts unless a miracle drops down from heaven on them proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Intel will be begging Lisa Su for scraps from her table soon.

www.msn.com/en-us/money/stockdetails/fi-126.1.INTC.NAS

www.msn.com/en-us/money/stockdetails/fi-126.1.AMD.NAS
Someone's sarcasm detector is broken.

Also, intel is still copying AMD. This has been going on for...13 yrs now?
Posted on Reply
#33
64K
TheGuruStudSomeone's sarcasm detector is broken.

Also, intel is still copying AMD. This has been going on for...13 yrs now?
Yeah, I guess you're right. Intel is copying AMD's superior IPC per core and AMD's moar cores solution to everything.
Posted on Reply
#34
Kanan
Tech Enthusiast & Gamer
64KYeah, I guess you're right. Intel is copying AMD's superior IPC per core and AMD's moar cores solution.
Oh pls, no fanboy battles here. Yeah Intel is better, they are the big bad ass Empire and AMD are only the (smart) peasant Rebels. Maybe they blow up the Death Star, but it's unlikely. Who knows... ;)
Posted on Reply
#35
64K
KananOh pls, no fanboy battles here. Yeah Intel is better, they are the big bad ass Empire and AMD are only the (smart) peasant Rebels. Maybe they blow up the Death Star, but it's unlikely. Who knows... ;)
It could happen and I hope so. Intel deserves to get slapped down. :)
Posted on Reply
#36
rruff
Kurt MaverickNvidia has slightly superior but generally fair prices to their producs, it's mainly Intel the ones that are being absolutely abusive and inmobile about them.
If Intel chips were any cheaper, AMD would be out of business. Even with pricing as it is, the smart money always goes to Intel.

I want a rational reason to use AMD. I hope it happens.
Posted on Reply
#37
xfia
rruffIf Intel chips were any cheaper, AMD would be out of business. Even with pricing as it is, the smart money always goes to Intel.

I want a rational reason to use AMD. I hope it happens.
news.yahoo.com/amd-wants-know-processors-handle-230507383.html

its honestly not at all bad to still use a fx 8 core for years into the future for gaming.. where dx12 and well optimized dx11 games is a concern its just as good as a i5 and amd seems to have enough confidence in the fx's multi threading to even recommend a fx 6 core for vr.

damn amd and microsoft keeping everyones hardware good for so long is such bs :p
Posted on Reply
#38
Prima.Vera
64KIt could happen and I hope so. Intel deserves to get slapped down. :)
That's Utopia. Just look the RND budget of Intel and the one of AMD's. Even if by some miracle AMD will pull an ace out of its sleeves, I'm more than sure that the sleeping giant will immediately counterattack with something that will put back AMD into its place.
Sadly I stopped believing in fairytales and fantasies a long time ago....
Posted on Reply
#39
xfia
Prima.VeraThat's Utopia. Just look the RND budget of Intel and the one of AMD's. Even if by some miracle AMD will pull an ace out of its sleeves, I'm more than sure that the sleeping giant will immediately counterattack with something that will put back AMD into its place.
Sadly I stopped believing in fairytales and fantasies a long time ago....
linus is live now and he says intel cpu's will get more power efficient and not faster at all.. maybe even a little slower.
Posted on Reply
#40
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
TheGuruStudStraw man. Those were very top end parts akin to EE CPUs. You will always pay a premium.

Also, you can charge that when it's decimating the competition. Intel never lowered prices when they sucked b/c they ruled through marketing and bribing publications.

Let's not forget they literally owned Bapco and literally rigged Sysmark. Many still don't know about this. They tried to cover it up when people called them out on Sysmark 2002.
This pile of shit was printed in ACADEMIC books as proof of how awesome intel was. It was pure propaganda. Intel has many methods for their propaganda machine.
Intel's $1,000 parts are very top end parts too. The point is, as soon as AMD can, it will jack up its prices. They aren't selling cheap CPUs because they want to.
Posted on Reply
#41
AsRock
TPU addict
newtekie1It isn't like AMD doesn't jack up their prices when they can. It feels like everyone forgets the $1,000 FX-57 and FX-60. When AMD has the lead, they are real quick to jack up those prices.
And so they should, they need to but i bet nVidia and Intel will tighten the belt if that happens.

AMD started a price war that bit them right back, i just hope that if they plan another price war that they make sure they can afford it.


Tell you the truth Intel and nVidia are waiting for AMD to do a kick ass product but i bet AMD gets a smack in the face as they can up the anti and still make a profit.
Posted on Reply
#42
Kurt Maverick
Prima.VeraThat's Utopia. Just look the RND budget of Intel and the one of AMD's. Even if by some miracle AMD will pull an ace out of its sleeves, I'm more than sure that the sleeping giant will immediately counterattack with something that will put back AMD into its place.
Sadly I stopped believing in fairytales and fantasies a long time ago....
Even if that would happen, even a giant like Intel would need time to develop something to counteract Zen. That's time that AMD would have to 'regroup' thanks to Zen's success (IF it's a success indeed).

Anyway, like I said, unless there's a materiel change (towards graphene probably), I don't see any more big jumps from Intel in the near-far future. I doubt that shrinking 4 extra nm like Cannonlake will do will offer little more than academical performance gains compared to Kaby Lake. IMO, if Zen is alright, the next battle will be about who's the one who abandons silicon the sooner.
Posted on Reply
#43
TheGuruStud
64KYeah, I guess you're right. Intel is copying AMD's superior IPC per core and AMD's moar cores solution to everything.
Pedantry does suit you, but give me a break. From direct connect architecture to APUs to the upcoming HBM on CPU, they copy it all.
newtekie1Intel's $1,000 parts are very top end parts too. The point is, as soon as AMD can, it will jack up its prices. They aren't selling cheap CPUs because they want to.
We're in agreement lol. I just meant that intel will keep prices inflated no matter how crappy their CPUs are by leveraging their monopolistic strategies.
Posted on Reply
#44
the54thvoid
Intoxicated Moderator
The larger company (especially when it's orders of magnitude) will always leverage its position against the competition. That's called business. Intel and AMD have abused positions in the past. And simply by being far larger, Intel has more leverage to influence (unfairly or not) their position far more.
I don't think Intel will win many friends with the pricing of Broadwell-E, if rumours are correct so that might help Zen by making prospective buyers think twice about buying Intel. Unfortunately, Zen is so far out they look like missing the Broadwell-E and Kaby Lake releases. So people may feel the urge to jump twice before Zen desktops arrive.
As for pricing, AMD are not the fan favourite. They stopped budget competing on release way back with the 7970 (of which I bought two). That initial pricing caught many off guard. Fast forward to Nano (niche as it is) and it was too expensive. Now it's been price slashed.
Anyone that thinks either company wants to make cheaper products needs a reality check. Anyone that thinks large companies don't cheat also need to think again. Big money and the options for investors to profit on a product dictate pricing, not any loyalty to the consumer.
Posted on Reply
#45
Kurt Maverick
TheGuruStudPedantry does suit you, but give me a break. From direct connect architecture to APUs to the upcoming HBM on CPU, they copy it all.
Yeah, because APU's are soooo useful outside of budget and office builds....

Also, AHEMAHEM Intel HT ---> AMD SMT....how much did AMD took to implement that...?
Posted on Reply
#46
TheGuruStud
Kurt MaverickYeah, because APU's are soooo useful outside of budget and office builds....

Also, AHEMAHEM Intel HT ---> AMD SMT....how much did AMD took to implement that...?
Nothing. Intel didn't invent SMT or use it first lol. Intel used it purely for marketing early on (it wasn't worth a crap until the i series). And if you knew anything about bulldozer, the FPU uses SMT (although this was basically a cost cutting measure).
It didn't make fiscal sense for AMD to use it before. They've never had the budget to make the chips even more complex (could barely get them out the door as it was). Zen has been in the works for a long time and with the node shrinks, they have more room to implement better features.

Keep on blabbing. If APUs are so worthless, then why did intel copy it? Is your foot tasty?
Posted on Reply
#47
xfia
microsoft change the thread scheduler for fx cpu's a long time ago.. windows reads each amd module as 1 core that is split into 2 logical threads. sound familiar?
funny thing is amd considers each module to have 2 cores haha
before they changed the scheduler it was a horrible mess but anyway its all the same end game just the fx is split more on a integrated hardware level and ht is done more so logically if you will.
Posted on Reply
#48
64K
Well, hopefully this Zen CPU lives up to the hype but bear in mind that it's going up against Kaby Lake when released with 10nm Cannonlake right around the corner and even if Zen is a homerun performance wise it will have little impact on AMD's bottom line if they can't get the big computer manufacturers to buy them in large quantities.
Posted on Reply
#49
cdawall
where the hell are my stars
Kurt MaverickNvidia has slightly superior but generally fair prices to their producs, it's mainly Intel the ones that are being absolutely abusive and inmobile about them.
Eh if you look beyond the titan no they don't. AMD offers 10bit color in consumer cards nvidia offers 8, and offers full dx12 on gpu, the fury cards have hbm, nvidia has gddr5, the nano offers better performance per watt, gcn offers better performance with resolutions higher than 1080p etc. Actually once you get past the hype and cards should be wiping the floor with nvidia in sales.
Posted on Reply
#50
Kurt Maverick
cdawallEh if you look beyond the titan no they don't. AMD offers 10bit color in consumer cards nvidia offers 8, and offers full dx12 on gpu, the fury cards have hbm, nvidia has gddr5, the nano offers better performance per watt, gcn offers better performance with resolutions higher than 1080p etc. Actually once you get past the hype and cards should be wiping the floor with nvidia in sales.
And here I thought I was talking about prices....of course, people take whatever context they damn want to suit their needs.

BTW, AMD doesn't offer full DX12 (12_1) support, Nvidia has offered 10-bit support since the Geforce 200 Series (nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3011/~/10-bit-per-color-support-on-nvidia-geforce-gpus), and AFAIK Nvidia has beaten AMD in almost every DX11 game out there. I don't know (neither care) what DX12 will mean for the actual gen, but my argument about that is that transitional generations sucks, and that the real DX12 battle begins this year.

So that only leaves you with the HBM argument. Woohoo! Enjoy it for the few more months that remains, fanboy.
TheGuruStudNothing. Intel didn't invent SMT or use it first lol. Intel used it purely for marketing early on (it wasn't worth a crap until the i series). And if you knew anything about bulldozer, the FPU uses SMT (although this was basically a cost cutting measure).
It didn't make fiscal sense for AMD to use it before. They've never had the budget to make the chips even more complex (could barely get them out the door as it was). Zen has been in the works for a long time and with the node shrinks, they have more room to implement better features.

Keep on blabbing. If APUs are so worthless, then why did intel copy it? Is your foot tasty?
Maybe because, like I said, there's a market for them? How dense can you be? The fact that I said that APUs have no use for gamers or other resource-hungry apps doesn't mean that they wouldn't be sold at all.

And the absurd argument of "OMG INTEL/AMD INVENTED IT FIRST, SO IT'S BETTER/THEY'RE MORALLY BETTER THAN THE OTHER!" is just the last resort of fanboys to justify their customer choice. Fortunately I'm smart enough as for making my choices based on raw performance and price/performance ratios, and not out of "loyalty" to a CORPORATION you don't even work in.

Seriously, fanboys of any kind are a nuisance, but I swear AMD fanboys are a pest. You can't say the slightest thing against 'their' brand, or in favor of the competition without them crying around in opposition.
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