AMD's Upcoming Ryzen Line-up Could Feature 6-Core Chips After All

[Raevenlord]

It's always a dance between rumours, expectations and "theorycrafting" when it comes to the launch of any particularly exciting product. And with AMD's Ryzen chips currently being the most hotly anticipated development (and product launch) in the hardware world, well, let's just say that anticipation is really building up to enormous levels, with any possible details surrounding AMD's line-up being the cause, in some cases, of heated debate.

Case in point: with AMD's CCX (CPU Complex) being indivisible, this would mean a blow not only to budget-conscious consumers, but also to AMD's ability to engender its product line. Flexibility has always been the name of the game with AMD (discounting their CMT-based Bulldozer and derived architectures), with the company offering triple-core processors in the past (and weren't those the good old days of processor unlocking). However, now reports have come in that Ryzen's CCX are actually divisible, which could open up possibilities for some theoretically value-breaking hexa-core Ryzen chips.





More specifically, reports are now coming in (claiming 100% accuracy) that AMD's CCX are in fact divisible: basically, it is possible to disable each CPU core separately (together with its dedicated L2 cache) without affecting the total shared L3 cache, with possible L3 cache configurations being 1/1 (8 MB), 1/2 (4 MB) or completely disabled (hence, a quad-core, SMT-enabled, 8MB/16MB L3 Ryzen chip can theoretically be harvested from a full, octa-core chip, so long as two CPU cores and corresponding L2 cache are disabled on each CCX). A rule of thumb that the reports claim is that due to AMD's CCX design and overall architecture design, both CCXs must have similar CPU core and L3 configuration (meaning that both CCXs must be configured identically, whether with 3 cores and full 8 MB L3 cache enabled per CCX, which would result in a six-core, 16 MB L3 design.

I for one think AMD's line-up becomes much, much more interesting with a hexa-core offering. This would mean that AMD can position its 8-core, 16-thread offerings above Intel's Core i7 line of CPUs (at the respective premium), with their 6-core, SMT-enabled CPUs going toe to toe (pricing-wise, assuming performance parity) with Intel's i7 line of quad-core, HT-enabled processors. This would put Intel in trouble from a value perspective, possibly even prompting the company to totally revamp their line-up of processors for the next generation, democratizing true quad-core processors at the base of consumer CPU designs.

Let's just wait (eagerly) as this one unfolds, shall we?

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[DeathtoGnomes]

This is good news for core counts.

If AMD really does go toe2toe with Intel's pricing, that could hurt some budgets for future builds.

 

[Eknex]

Good news! now i need know the prices xD


Btw, is there any new motherboard to show, or with the last of asus its all?

 

[Delta6326]

I think this hype is getting more and more every hour, and I hope it's all true! Can't beat competition!

 

[ShurikN]

Something I can't seem to see anywhere and the thing I'm most in need of, is a mobile CPU.
8c/16t cpus are cool and all, but I need a new laptop and I haven't seen any info regarding mobile parts.
Not to mention, the paper launched, mobile Polaris 10, which is nowhere to be found.

 

[Shamalamadingdong]

Something I can't seem to see anywhere and the thing I'm most in need of, is a mobile CPU.
8c/16t cpus are cool and all, but I need a new laptop and I haven't seen any info regarding mobile parts.
Not to mention, the paper launched, mobile Polaris 10, which is nowhere to be found.

Raven Ridge (APUs) is expected in Q3. Probably targeting the 'back to school' laptop refreshes. We'll see server chips before mobile parts though, so probably Q2 for that with Vega in Q2 as well. A busy year for AMD.

Mobile Polaris 10 is out. It's an option on Alienware laptops.

 

[MxPhenom 216]

If the 8 Core chip is $300-$400, i might buy.

 

[jaggerwild]

WOW, WIN WIN WIN!

 

[evernessince]

If the 8 Core chip is $300-$400, i might buy.

Well isn't that comforting. You might buy AMD's 8 core chip with similar performance to Intel's for a quarter of the price. Please, everyone would be flopping all over that thing at that price. AMD isn't likely to price it's 8 core 16 thread that low. Sure it would give them many customers but it would completely destroy the profitability of the market. AMD and Intel aren't going to start marking flagship consumer processors for a measly $400 at best.

 

[Chaitanya]

Well isn't that comforting. You might buy AMD's 8 core chip with similar performance to Intel's for a quarter of the price. Please, everyone would be flopping all over that thing at that price. AMD isn't likely to price it's 8 core 16 thread that low. Sure it would give them many customers but it would completely destroy the profitability of the market. AMD and Intel aren't going to start marking flagship consumer processors for a measly $400 at best.

AMD might price their 8 Core chip with SMT disabled for less than 400$ mark, that would fit in line for 8 thread Intel CPUs. Sure AMD won't be ruining their profitability as developing new architecture is going to be a huge investment for them from which they expect returns.

 

[MxPhenom 216]

Well isn't that comforting. You might buy AMD's 8 core chip with similar performance to Intel's for a quarter of the price. Please, everyone would be flopping all over that thing at that price. AMD isn't likely to price it's 8 core 16 thread that low. Sure it would give them many customers but it would completely destroy the profitability of the market. AMD and Intel aren't going to start marking flagship consumer processors for a measly $400 at best.

I know, I dont expect the 8 core/16 thread to be less than $500.

 

[evernessince]

AMD might price their 8 Core chip with SMT disabled for less than 400$ mark, that would fit in line for 8 thread Intel CPUs. Sure AMD won't be ruining their profitability as developing new architecture is going to be a huge investment for them from which they expect returns.

Hm, big maybe. An 8 core 8 thread CPU would blow a 4 core 8 thread CPU out of the water in everything but gaming. Really not point in them pricing it to compete with gaming processors. They could have a 4 or 6 core SMT CPU do that under the $400 price point. It is possible that they do fit the 8 core at $400 tough, it really all depends on performance. If there is anything to those early leaks, AMD's IPC is close to Intel in everything but gaming.

 

[ShurikN]

Raven Ridge (APUs) is expected in Q3. Probably targeting the 'back to school' laptop refreshes. We'll see server chips before mobile parts though, so probably Q2 for that with Vega in Q2 as well. A busy year for AMD.

Mobile Polaris 10 is out. It's an option on Alienware laptops.

Yeah, but those are desktop APUs, still no info if those are mobile parts as well.

Also regarding P10, go to Alienware site, try to buy one with a RX470, or better yet go to newegg and try to find any laptop with a P10 gpu. They are nonexistent.

 

[NC37]

If the 6 core comes in under $250, sold. The 8/16 likely won't do as major of an undercut as that will be flagship and it'll be competitive with Intel this time. However, as with every CPU launch, there is flagship and there is escort destroyer. 8350 had an 8320 companion which was very undercut in price and clocked easily to 8350 speeds. Hasn't been the first time AMD has done this. Likely won't be the last. In the 8/16s, that should be the sweet spot.

If AMD decides to go toe2toe with Intel, they'll be digging their grave. They need market share and fast before Intel matches and exceeds. Only way to do that is undercut the heck out of Intel which has been obviously price gouging customers for a very long time.

Great thing either way is, Intel may be finally forced to price within reason. Although I'm not counting on it. Maybe a $20-$50 price cut at most.

 

[Ivaroeines]

I have previously written about the rumour mill surrounding AMD products, at the end of 2015 the AM4 cpu-socket and corresponding cpu's was to be released Q1 2016(before the end of march 2016). Till this day I haven't found a single test of a production AM4 product, if a product with these cpu's was in sale one should think a tests of the a computer with them would surface, but no, seems to me like no AM4 cpu have been made.

I haven't seen any date set for a Ryzen launch(when you actually can get a hand on one), so one should assume(looking at AMD's track record when it comes to their products) a Ryzen cpu can be bought at the earliest in Q2 2018. I was planning to get/build a AM4 computer in early to mid 2016, but my patients have been stretched thin and my guess is that i most likely will switch to Intel and Nvidia(Vega gpu's seem to require a long wait also).

If AMD had cut back on advertising for new products to 2 months instead of 2 years they would able to launch their products a year earlier( spending money on development instead of ads. etc).

 

[rtwjunkie]

So, the only thing we know for sure is that Ryzen is the next CPU from AMD. Other than that we don't know squat.

 

[Pap1er]

I wonder... will there be possibility to unlock disabled cores and / or unlock disabled SMT on particular Ryzen chips?
If so, what would it mean for the CPU market?
What do you think, guys?

 

[ManofGod]

Well isn't that comforting. You might buy AMD's 8 core chip with similar performance to Intel's for a quarter of the price. Please, everyone would be flopping all over that thing at that price. AMD isn't likely to price it's 8 core 16 thread that low. Sure it would give them many customers but it would completely destroy the profitability of the market. AMD and Intel aren't going to start marking flagship consumer processors for a measly $400 at best.

And they are not going to be pricing them at some stupid expensive stratospheric prices like Intel does, either. They need market share and sales and pricing this stuff to high will not get them that.

 

[insane 360]

I have previously written about the rumour mill surrounding AMD products, at the end of 2015 the AM4 cpu-socket and corresponding cpu's was to be released Q1 2016(before the end of march 2016). Till this day I haven't found a single test of a production AM4 product, if a product with these cpu's was in sale one should think a tests of the a computer with them would surface, but no, seems to me like no AM4 cpu have been made.

I haven't seen any date set for a Ryzen launch(when you actually can get a hand on one), so one should assume(looking at AMD's track record when it comes to their products) a Ryzen cpu can be bought at the earliest in Q2 2018. I was planning to get/build a AM4 computer in early to mid 2016, but my patients have been stretched thin and my guess is that i most likely will switch to Intel and Nvidia(Vega gpu's seem to require a long wait also).

If AMD had cut back on advertising for new products to 2 months instead of 2 years they would able to launch their products a year earlier( spending money on development instead of ads. etc).

https://liliputing.com/2017/02/amd-ryzen-chips-coming-march-followed-vega-gpu-q2-2017.html

its coming, and its coming pretty soon...don't be so dramatic about it coming out in 2018, maybe AMD is just holding out testing until launch next month for journalist. Vega is coming out closer to summer. there are test out there in controlled situations and am4 motherboards are out in the wild, just running last gen's cpu's...

 

[Shamalamadingdong]

Yeah, but those are desktop APUs, still no info if those are mobile parts as well.

Also regarding P10, go to Alienware site, try to buy one with a RX470, or better yet go to newegg and try to find any laptop with a P10 gpu. They are nonexistent.

APUs are APUs. They will hit both desktop and laptop - probably laptop primarily. The APUs are more important on laptops anyway.

I can buy an Alienware with an RX 470 that's listed as shipping in 4-6 days, so... It's probably more about OEMs not picking AMD chips for their designs, not that it isn't available.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

I wonder... will there be possibility to unlock disabled cores and / or unlock disabled SMT on particular Ryzen chips?
If so, what would it mean for the CPU market?
What do you think, guys?

It would be another marketing ploy ("accident") like they did a while back with the "less than 8 core" chips.

 

[ShurikN]

APUs are APUs. They will hit both desktop and laptop - probably laptop primarily. The APUs are more important on laptops anyway.

I can buy an Alienware with an RX 470 that's listed as shipping in 4-6 days, so... It's probably more about OEMs not picking AMD chips for their designs, not that it isn't available.

Send me a link for that Alienware RX470

 

[Shamalamadingdong]

Send me a link for that Alienware RX470

http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/productdetails/alienware-17-laptop/dkcwkblg22s
try see if that works.

 

[ShurikN]

http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/productdetails/alienware-17-laptop/dkcwkblg22s
try see if that works.

Thanks. Only on a 17" though... such a shame.

 

[Shamalamadingdong]

Thanks. Only on a 17" though... such a shame.

The 15" is supposed to get the RX 470 too but I'm not sure when or if it'll actually launch.
However that's only one OEM and that's sad.

Hopefully we'll get Vega-based chips for laptops and hopefully Raven Ridge is Vega-based and not Polaris-based (still nothing solid on that).
The performance and efficiency (and by extension perf/W) is much greater on Vega.