AMD Socket AM4 to Transition "Excavator" and "Zen" Architecture

[[Ion]]

All we need is a cheap unlocked quad/hexa core that doesn't compete with a Pentium D in power consumption, or IPC.

Don't care about the performance per core when I can stick 64 of them in a box for a solid price. Piledriver is an excellent core when used right.

 

[TheGuruStud]

I still don't know why they're not releasing 8 core excavators. With L3 it would be (I'm estimating) 30% faster than bulldozer.

Chop off production of the AM3 crap and make me a goddamn full excavator die.

Don't care about the performance per core when I can stick 64 of them in a box for a solid price. Piledriver is an excellent core when used right.

I'm sure it's way better now, but I used the first release x264 encoder supporting FMA and it chewed through some 1080P at the highest quality possible (40fps).

 

[Casecutter]

Humm, could we see Unlocked Bristol Ridge (AM4 APU with a disabled GPU) as low price entry (~$100) into the AM4 platform. That might have some traction; a four core, 55W TDP (graphic's gone) and some OC'n still in it, while support for DDR4-2400.

That might turn into not a bad base for the short term to play with, while later after Zen has been in the market and prices stabilize, drop in one of those.

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

You've saved me typing THAT

 

[GoldenX]

And if the iGPU is good... Upgrade time!

 

[Casecutter]

You've saved me typing THAT

Yea, I started thinking they're releasing this socket early... how do you get folks to look at AM4 mobo's... 7-8mo ahead of time? APU's only hold so much appeal, they need a opening especially gaming/enthusiasts.

Releasing an Unlocked and inexpensive Bristol Ridge would be a means of driving information out there on this new platform. Remember the all the buzz Intel got from the G358, it spurred a lot of mobo sales. While I don't see it stealing sells of Zen when it comes at first, and if you see good improvement and its been a year, most would see it no big deal in dropping $150 for a faster Zen CPU.

 

[Nordic]

Yea, I started thinking they're releasing this socket early... how do you get folks to look at AM4 mobo's... 7-8mo ahead of time? APU's only hold so much appeal, they need a opening especially gaming/enthusiasts.

You say that as if almost every enthusiast here did not use an APU, which they sort of do with intels mainstream platform.

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

Imho most enthusiasts at least find a way to have a look at all platforms,its the best part of family/friend pc building, the BURN IN/updates honest.

 

[Casecutter]

You say that as if almost every enthusiast here did not use an APU, which they sort of do with intels mainstream platform.

To me an APU is a different product than iGPU. Not many in these forums are considering a "mainstream" i5, then stick to the integrate graphics, while sure folks buy APU's and have then just gone to discrete graphics.

I never thought of getting into the FM2/FM2+ platform, there would be always the idea that at some point I'd want a upgrade to a discrete. Plus I always saw it wasn't looking to be a long term socket. That said, I might be looking to update the old HTPC, and could consider A8-7600 and say a AMD A68H (Bolton D2H) if they start clearing stuff. I might be in for like <$100 for both.

 

[Steevo]

I would buy an APU if it offered the sort of overclocking that current ones do with a significant IPC improvement, I could always buy another board later for my kids and give it to them when Zen hit if it lives up to its hype. I only hope the mounting holes for the CPU cooler remain the same so my waterblock will still fit.

 

[eidairaman1]

While I am hoping to get off Bulldozer soon enough, I am kinda looking forward to these new APU's with DDR4 support. If they have a better GPU inside than the ones currently it could be pretty decent performance (mixed with high speeds DDR4 of course). I hope they get a move on this for the mobile platform more than anything!

, my current cpu, board and ram are going to my wife to upgrade from a dell WXP p4 rig (new case,psu, gpu of course). Ill Jump to Zen AM4.

 

[hat]

I really, really hope AMD's new desktop CPU comes along, and beats the pants off Intel. And not just in select benchmarks/programs that make use of some obscure feature that can be useful in a limited number of scenarios.

 

[Mr.Scott]

I really hope Zen isn't like this or I unfortunately see a very bad performing year for AMD; at least in the sense of competing with Intel in the performance segment.

When did AMD change their stance on competing with Intel on the high end enthusiast CPU market? Since 2012 they have staunchly maintained that they WILL NOT compete with Intel in that market segment.
IMO, I think most of you are expecting too much or expecting something that was never going to happen in the first place.

 

[Solaris17]

When did AMD change their stance on competing with Intel on the high end enthusiast CPU market? Since 2012 they have staunchly maintained that they WILL NOT compete with Intel in that market segment.
IMO, I think most of you are expecting too much or expecting something that was never going to happen in the first place.

I dont expect anything from AMD. Im talking about AMD enthusiasts Im not personally interested in ZEN

 

[Mr.Scott]

I really hope Zen isn't like this or I unfortunately see a very bad performing year for AMD; at least in the sense of competing with Intel in the performance segment.

I dont expect anything from AMD. Im talking about AMD enthusiasts Im not personally interested in ZEN

I don't really care what your stance is on AMD. Just wanted to know why you thought AMD was still interested in competing with Intel in a market that AMD specifically stated that they were no longer interested in over 3 years ago.

 

[de.das.dude]

But will the new CPUs be compatible with AM3+ mobos? i dont want to forsake my barely 2 year old 990FX extreme 4 just yet :'(

Havent even used it for 6 months overall.

 

[Mr.Scott]

But will the new CPUs be compatible with AM3+ mobos? i dont want to forsake my barely 2 year old 990FX extreme 4 just yet :'(

Havent even used it for 6 months overall.

I don't think so. AMD states new AM4 socket, but who knows.

 

[GoldenX]

I don't think so, remember there are going to be APUs on the new socket, you need the video output pins, something AM2/2+/3/3+ doesn't have.

 

[Frick]

But will the new CPUs be compatible with AM3+ mobos? i dont want to forsake my barely 2 year old 990FX extreme 4 just yet :'(

Havent even used it for 6 months overall.

Would be daft to hope so. AM3+ had a long run, you just invested late.

Anyway, did I read this as there will be a single socket for both Zen and whatever else is coming up, plus some filler before then? That would be quite ok to me.

 

[eidairaman1]

Would be daft to hope so. AM3+ had a long run, you just invested late.

Anyway, did I read this as there will be a single socket for both Zen and whatever else is coming up, plus some filler before then? That would be quite ok to me.

i did too, im not worried though