AMD "Zen 6" Processor Families to Use a Mix of TSMC N2 and N3 Nodes

[Hecate91]

Socket AM4 and intel sockets managed fine.

AM5's IHS is absurdly think, done to preserve socket AM4 compatibility and its the single biggest thing holding thermals back.

The AM4 socket didn't have any issues because it had a PGA socket to support the CPU, Intel cpu's have had issues with CPU flexing for at least a few generations, only mitigated by a improved retention mechanism on high end boards. I think a slightly thinner AM5 IHS would be nice for temps but I'll take a thicker IHS over having to mess with a socket frame bracket.

 

[AntiX3DGlazer]

Maybe they'll finally change the package and slim down the insanely thick IHS.

Making their socket backwards compatible with AM4 coolers was the dumbest thing AMD did here....

that would require a new socket, which would make gamers oh so sad. Great heavens!

 

[Visible Noise]

Intel cpu's have had issues with CPU flexing for at least a few generations,

More lies.

 

[Panther_Seraphin]

More lies.

I agree there hasnt been many "issues" but people have gained performance using retention brackets vs the OEM mounts due to the more even pressures being applied and in some cases not exactly small gains either.



AMD could have gained similar benefits if there was an easier/cheaper way of removing the current IHS off and replacing it with a thinner aftermarket one. AMDs solutions is a damn sight more compicated than Intels fix however.

The AM4 cooler compatabilty requirement was definately an own goal by AMD and has hampered especially Zen 5 with the relocation of X3D BELOW the cores. What I can only hope/wish for next gen is a thin IHS with a Threadripper like retention mechanism being the standard offering.

 

[freeagent]

and its the single biggest thing holding thermals back

I think the single thing holding thermals back is weak cooling.

AMD 4nm is easy to cool imo.

 

[Hecate91]

I agree there hasnt been many "issues" but people have gained performance using retention brackets vs the OEM mounts due to the more even pressures being applied and in some cases not exactly small gains either.

I disagree, it is an issue when using an aftermarket bracket results in significantly lower temps from more even mounting pressure, something which Intel could've done themselves with a more robust retention mechanism or IHS.
But it would be fair enough to have a new thinner IHS not needing to retain socket type cooler compatibility for next gen, retention levers on both sides of the socket would be also be a really nice addition.

As for the other user, not going to bother with someone calling me a liar without backing it up. But, socket bending was a problem with LGA1700, and wasn't completely fixed with LGA1851 as the bend resistant socket wasn't standard across every board.

Spoiler

 

[freeagent]

It is why Thermalright and Thermal Grizzly made new ones.. there have been reports even here of Intel CPU's bending using the stock retention and high pressure coolers.

 

[Rover4444]

More interested in new mobos, if it's another promontory 21 board with bad spacing and no CUDIMM support then I'm just checking out until Zen 7 or Ultra 3.

 

[Tomorrow]

The gamers have always needed graphics cards, not central processors. You can game at 4K on a potato CPU, without much of a or any difference in the framerate. .

You can but it's a very bad idea. If you have a potato CPU there's not much you can do to make your games run smoother as nearly none of the graphics settings affect CPU load to meaningful degree. With a potato GPU it's possible to make it run decently with compromises. But it's possible.

That is why i have always preferred stronger CPU and weaker GPU. Plus upgrading the GPU is way easier and rarely requires platform change.
As for CPU and 4K - once you have decent amount of cores and good IPC then a significantly faster CPU wont improve your performance at 4K anymore, but this does not mean you can run 4K with 5090 and 12100 or something without a severe bottleneck.

9000mhz DDR5 is going to be essential to feed the extra cores per CCD otherwise those extra cores are going to be handicapped by the lack of memory bandwidth.

It will be fine. Zen 1 to Zen 2 doubled the core count without adding more memory channels or upping the RAM speed significantly. Zen 6 to Zen 5 will be "only" a 50% core count increase, not double. And it will have new IO die that supports faster RAM. So relax everyone. Zen 6 wont have any problems feeding those cores even if they had doubled it.

More lies.

Oh, so that's why manufacturers made those 3rd party retention mechanisms. Because of lies. Obviously. /s

 

[Makaveli]

having to mess with a socket frame bracket.

Super easy to install done in like 60 seconds Worth it

 

[jnv11]

The gamers have always needed graphics cards, not central processors. You can game at 4K on a potato CPU, without much of a or any difference in the framerate. .
Graphics cards where, unfortunately, AMD is very weak and lost momentum and focus.

AMD’s GPU scheduling hardware for the past several generations have worked well with potato CPUs by offloading the scheduling of instructions within threads even if older versions of the scheduling hardware did not optimally schedule the instructions and generated schedules that wasted a lot of the GPU’s time due to stalling when there should have been a way to avoid the stall. Nvidia and Intel GPUs use their drivers to optimally schedule those instructions in the driver software at the cost of higher CPU utilization, so they are more prone to be held back by potato CPUs.

Also, some games cause high CPU load.

You need a CPU that is strong enough to handle the game and your GPU’s driver overhead.

 

[TPUnique]

Worth it

Are you aware that it's useless on an AMD socket ?

 

[_roman_]

Are you aware that it's useless on an AMD socket ?

I disagree. With 2 years plus some extra weeks of usage on two mainboards I think I know better

You may read my post there.

Post in thread 'MSI X670E GAMING PLUS WIFI Mainboard - any good?'

Jun 18, 2025

Generic Feedback

Box is running. I rebuild everything. Winodws 11 Pro installed. UEFI updated. Everything below is with latest UEFI update.

Also Fan Speed is stuck at 100% with the latest firmware update when doing cold boot quite often.
I have set all FANs to PWM and 0% for all fan points. The fan should after reboots spin down from the initial POST Phase default full speed fan mode to 0%. Happens not always but happens quite often.

-- I migrated to another NVME. My previous NVME from my AM4 setup. I tested my disaster sceario where a faulty power supply unit would have destroyed the...

• _roman_

• 

Here is an opinion. I think the aftermarket socket may add a little bit of extra passive cooling.

The 60 seconds are a bit fast. I prefer a better mechanical structure and to get less paste down the socket.

 

[Grimling]

back to zen 6, 12 cores per ccd is good, but i feel that cpu performance is not the issue in gaming, its more the memory performance and memory latency. that is why the x3d cpus are so good for gaming.
so i feel we need a much better memory interface and memory controller that offers MUCH more bandwidth and better latency. and that is not coming with zen 6 as far as i see it.
from that perspective, even the 7800x3d will be good enough for any gaming needs in the coming years.

 

[Steevo]

More lies.

Intel Comments On Alder Lake's Warping and Bending Issues, Mods Void Warranty

"Nothing to see here, folks"

www.tomshardware.com

Intel admitted there were bending issues, are you unaware of this?

 

[Makaveli]

Are you aware that it's useless on an AMD socket ?

I'm fully aware of what I bought.

Looks better than the stock bracket, way less clean up for thermal paste.

For $20 worth it for me.

 

[JustBenching]

Oh, so that's why manufacturers made those 3rd party retention mechanisms. Because of lies. Obviously. /s

Using your own argument - that's why manafacturers made countless of retention mechanisms for AM4 and AM5 as well (including bracket, offset mounts, delid kits etc). Clearly, Am5 has so many issues with the bracket.

In actual reality, I used one of those brackets on my 12900k, I measured (unless its random run variance) a 1.6C temperature difference between bracket and no bracket. That's just...whatever, nobody cares.

Super easy to install done in like 60 seconds Worth it

View attachment 407837

Ah, clearly, since a bracket exists, amd cpus bend

 

[ARF]

If you have a potato CPU

12100

Yeah, that quad core "CPU" from ages ago is really a bad example. By a "potato CPU" I meant at least something with more threads, such an old 12-core or relatively newer Ryzen octo-core / 16-thread. A "potato CPU" means something non - Ryzen 9 9950X or non - Threadripper with 64 threads.

 

[Onasi]

A "potato CPU" means something non - Ryzen 9 9950X or non - Threadripper with 64 threads.

Classic bait from ARF, but I really am morbidly curious as how that would even be rationalized.

In actual reality, I used one of those brackets on my 12900k, I measured (unless its random run variance) a 1.6C temperature difference between bracket and no bracket. That's just...whatever, nobody cares.

It’s a nice aesthetic thing and makes installing the cooler and applying TIM a more pleasant experience. That already is justification for those brackets existing in my mind. Any marginal temperature improvements are whatever, they are a pleasant bonus, but not much more. It is somewhat relevant for cooler testing in order to nullify any variations, that’s true. They are by no means a must have purchase for any platform.

 

[Visible Noise]

It is why Thermalright and Thermal Grizzly made new ones.. there have been reports even here of Intel CPU's bending using the stock retention and high pressure coolers.

Coolers that exceeded Intel specifications is the part left out. Cooler weight and mounting pressure that doesn’t exceed the spec hasn’t caused any problems.

It’s just user error again.

 

[JustBenching]

Intel Comments On Alder Lake's Warping and Bending Issues, Mods Void Warranty

"Nothing to see here, folks"

www.tomshardware.com

Intel admitted there were bending issues, are you unaware of this?

No, Intel haven't admitted such thing, and your own link that you posted as proof says the exact opposite. The problem is the language you are using. Yes, alderlake family CPUs bend under the socket. That is not an issue, that's you adding the word issue when it isn't there.

It’s a nice aesthetic thing and makes installing the cooler and applying TIM a more pleasant experience. That already is justification for those brackets existing in my mind. Any marginal temperature improvements are whatever, they are a pleasant bonus, but not much more. It is somewhat relevant for cooler testing in order to nullify any variations, that’s true. They are by no means a must have purchase for any platform.

I got mine cause I got baited by all the hatred from people that never had one saying there are major issues, so I was like hmm, I need one else my CPU will get toasted. Turns out there was 0 practical difference and I just threw money down the toilet cause people just can't keep their hateful opinion to themselves and stick to posting factual information. And to think that's the reason forums exist, right? To spread awareness and facts about what products you should and shouldn't buy. But nope, let's just turn everything into a cesspool.

 

[jnv11]

Coolers that exceeded Intel specifications is the part left out. Cooler weight and mounting pressure that doesn’t exceed the spec hasn’t caused any problems.

It’s just user error again.

Huge air coolers that exceed the Intel spec and bend the CPU would not be needed if Raptor Lake did not crash out and self-destruct due to self-overheating and self-overvolting so often. See the following reports about Raptor Lake crashing when running a program as relatively lightweight as Firefox due to summer heat waves:

Intel Raptor Lake CPUs are crashing more frequently due to summer heatwaves, Firefox dev says

Mozilla Firefox has now joined the growing list of software affected by the Raptor Lake instability issues that Intel first acknowledged in 2024. According to Mozilla Staff...

www.techspot.com

Firefox Crash Reports Reveal That Heat Wave Impacts Intel Raptor Lake CPU Stability

If you’ve ever wondered why your desktop browser seems to crash more often during a heat wave, there’s now a clear explanation backed by real‑world data. A Firefox engineer, Gabriele Svelto, noticed an unmistakable pattern: crash reports spike precisely from regions baking under intense summer heat.

www.guru3d.com

Intel Raptor Lake CPUs Facing Widespread Stability Issues, Causing Firefox Crashes

Intel's 14th-gen Raptor Lake CPUs are causing widespread system instability and Firefox crashes, leading Mozilla to disable its crash reporting bot.

securityonline.info

Intel's latest stable consumer level desktop CPUs are Alder Lake and Arrow Lake.

However, I have to thank you for reminding me that there are weight limits on CPU coolers. It makes me feel a lot better about my purchase of a Corsair iCue Link Titan 280 RX RGB AIO for an upcoming build. I would have bought an Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 A-RGB instead except for the fact that the latter is incompatible with my motherboard's SSD heat sink. I don't care for RGB, but it seems that RGB-less solutions are harder to find for a 280mm-size class radiator even though 280mm-size class radiators are almost just as effective as 360mm-size class radiators due to the larger 140mm fans that are attached to 280mm-size class radiators at a whole lot less noise that is lower-pitched due to the larger fans and therefore likely far less annoying. The slight difference in cooling effectiveness from 280mm to 360mm is not large enough to make it worth the additional and more annoying noise from the three smaller fans for a 360mm instead of the two larger fans for a 280mm.

I would assign the blame mostly to Intel for not making clear that Raptor Lake is a water cooling only product if it requires insane levels of cooling that air coolers cannot deliver without bending the CPU case due to the air cooler's mass in order to keep the CPU stable and not self-destructive.

EDIT: I somehow forgot the previous sentence.

 

[JustBenching]

Huge air coolers that exceed the Intel spec and bend the CPU would not be needed if Raptor Lake did not crash out and self-destruct due to self-overheating and self-overvolting so often. See the following reports about Raptor Lake crashing when running a program as relatively lightweight as Firefox due to summer heat waves:

Intel Raptor Lake CPUs are crashing more frequently due to summer heatwaves, Firefox dev says

Mozilla Firefox has now joined the growing list of software affected by the Raptor Lake instability issues that Intel first acknowledged in 2024. According to Mozilla Staff...

www.techspot.com

Firefox Crash Reports Reveal That Heat Wave Impacts Intel Raptor Lake CPU Stability

If you’ve ever wondered why your desktop browser seems to crash more often during a heat wave, there’s now a clear explanation backed by real‑world data. A Firefox engineer, Gabriele Svelto, noticed an unmistakable pattern: crash reports spike precisely from regions baking under intense summer heat.

www.guru3d.com

Intel Raptor Lake CPUs Facing Widespread Stability Issues, Causing Firefox Crashes

Intel's 14th-gen Raptor Lake CPUs are causing widespread system instability and Firefox crashes, leading Mozilla to disable its crash reporting bot.

securityonline.info

Intel's latest stable consumer level desktop CPUs are Alder Lake and Arrow Lake.

However, I have to thank you for reminding me that there are weight limits on CPU coolers. It makes me feel a lot better about my purchase of a Corsair iCue Link Titan 280 RX RGB AIO for an upcoming build. I would have bought an Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 A-RGB instead except for the fact that the latter is incompatible with my motherboard's SSD heat sink. I don't care for RGB, but it seems that RGB-less solutions are harder to find for a 280mm-size class radiator even though 280mm-size class radiators are almost just as effective as 360mm-size class radiators due to the larger 140mm fans that are attached to 280mm-size class radiators at a whole lot less noise that is lower-pitched due to the larger fans and therefore likely far less annoying. The slight difference in cooling effectiveness from 280mm to 360mm is not large enough to make it worth the additional and more annoying noise from the three smaller fans for a 360mm instead of the two larger fans for a 280mm.

I would assign the blame mostly to Intel for not making clear that Raptor Lake is a water cooling only product if it requires insane levels of cooling that air coolers cannot deliver without bending the CPU case due to the air cooler's mass in order to keep the CPU stable and not self-destructive.

EDIT: I somehow forgot the previous sentence.

You got a watercooler for your amd CPU because intel cpus can only be cooled with watercooling. Makes sense man.

EG1. I used a small single tower air cooler on both my 13 and 14900k. No issues. Let's stop spreading fud. Please?

 

[jnv11]

You got a watercooler for your amd CPU because intel cpus can only be cooled with watercooling. Makes sense man.

EG1. I used a small single tower air cooler on both my 13 and 14900k. No issues. Let's stop spreading fud. Please?

I decided to go for a longer term build with a Ryzen 9 9950X3D instead of a Ryzen 7 9800X3D. The former needs water cooling, and AMD has made it more clear that water cooling is needed for optimum results for that. A Ryzen 7 9800X3D can be optimally cooled with an air cooler, but could last not as long if more programs need more cores later on. Maybe the non-X3D cores can handle background tasks, allowing the X3D cores to run the game.

 

[JustBenching]

I decided to go for a longer term build with a Ryzen 9 9950X3D instead of a Ryzen 7 9800X3D. The former needs water cooling, and AMD has made it more clear that water cooling is needed for optimum results for that. A Ryzen 7 9800X3D can be optimally cooled with an air cooler, but could last not as long if more programs need more cores later on. Maybe the non-X3D cores can handle background tasks, allowing the X3D cores to run the game.

Nothing needs watercooling my man, that's not how computers work. 9950x 3d is easier to cool cause the heat is spread in 2 ccds instead of 1. Cooling a CPU doesn't have much to do with the cooler itself anymore, you can put a huge 12 fan watercooler and youll see no gains cause heat transfer is bottlenecked by the IHS, not by the size of your cooler. You can check TPU's cooler reviews, the difference between your average air cooler and your average water cooler is ~10 watts. A 40$ air cooler can cool 235 watts @ 95c, a watercooler can do 250w @ 95c. That's what, 20mhz higher clocks? It's peanuts. Doesn't make a difference.