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AMD Socket AM4 Coming Up Inevitably usable for Zen
Some new documents have surfaced on the web, the slides contain information about the AMD Socket AM4 and explain the transition towards Zen based processors (which are expected 2nd half next year). AM4 will be the new desktop socket for AMD. Information indicates that in March (say CeBIT timeframe) we'll see motherboards based on the new socket. AM4 will transition from Excavator architecture towards Zen architecture.
A lot is riding on Zen alright. AM4 will be the slot to use for both APUs and many multi-core processors. Bristol Ridge will likely be the first processor to be used, the followup of the Carrizo APU. The Socket AM4 Desktop platform will support DDR4 RAM memory and FP4 would be the soldered socket for mobile platforms (supporting both DDR3 and DDR4). Bristol Ridge will have up to four CPU cores with TDP ranges from 45W to 65W and thus with support for DDR4 memory (2400 MHz). Later in 2016 AMD will launch their Zen architecture multi-core CPUs, which feature the company's next-gen, performance-focused CPU cores.
AMD, Zen's main focus will be on increasing per-core performance rather than core count or multi-threading performance. Zen architecture will be built on a more efficient 14 nanometer process, rather than the 32 nm and 28 nm processes of previous AMD FX CPUs and AMD APUs. The "Summit Ridge" Zen family will also feature a unified AM4 socket with its GPU-equipped "Raven Ridge" APU counterparts, and feature DDR4 support and a 95W TDP. Zen does not support DDR3, only 7th generation AMD APUs (also fitting the AMD AM4 unified socket) support DDR3 and DDR4.
Anyway, have a peek at the slides below.
Sources: Benchlife.info, Planet 3DNow
vbetts
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#5203867 Posted on: 12/10/2015 02:54 PM
Good!
They need to get off AM3 and their ancient memory controllers!
Good!
They need to get off AM3 and their ancient memory controllers!
thatguy91
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#5203885 Posted on: 12/10/2015 03:40 PM
At least for the start there will be AM4 motherboards with DDR3. However, in the longer term having DDR3 on them makes no sense and could lead to people trying to mix DDR3 with Zen. It's good for the person that just wants a basic upgrade though. New motherboard and CPU and they're away!
I envisage that from at least a technical and overall marketing viewpoint, that the AM4 boards that have DDR3 won't be the ultra-high end boards, or even high end boards. It would make sense only having it on the lower end to mid range boards.
At least for the start there will be AM4 motherboards with DDR3. However, in the longer term having DDR3 on them makes no sense and could lead to people trying to mix DDR3 with Zen. It's good for the person that just wants a basic upgrade though. New motherboard and CPU and they're away!
I envisage that from at least a technical and overall marketing viewpoint, that the AM4 boards that have DDR3 won't be the ultra-high end boards, or even high end boards. It would make sense only having it on the lower end to mid range boards.
Darkest
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#5203896 Posted on: 12/10/2015 04:05 PM
Lets hope they start updating their sockets at least every couple of years from now on. They stuck with AM3 for far longer than they should have.
Lets hope they start updating their sockets at least every couple of years from now on. They stuck with AM3 for far longer than they should have.
Fox2232
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#5203913 Posted on: 12/10/2015 04:38 PM
It really depends on how future-proof PCIe architecture with AM4 is. DDR4 has quite long way to go before it will become limiting factor.
If we get 2x PCIe 3.0x16 + 1x PCIe 3.0x8 (or 2x 3.0x4), then it will not need to be replaced for quite some time.
For most users 1x PCIe 3.0x16 is enough anyway. Why? Because we expect something, that is CPU performance, slot for graphics card and connectors for HDDs/SSDs.
In time we may see HBM in package with APU/CPU as video ram/CPU L4 cache, and even that will not need new socket.
Once we get its full specification, we can approximate its life expectancy.
Lets hope they start updating their sockets at least every couple of years from now on. They stuck with AM3 for far longer than they should have.
It really depends on how future-proof PCIe architecture with AM4 is. DDR4 has quite long way to go before it will become limiting factor.
If we get 2x PCIe 3.0x16 + 1x PCIe 3.0x8 (or 2x 3.0x4), then it will not need to be replaced for quite some time.
For most users 1x PCIe 3.0x16 is enough anyway. Why? Because we expect something, that is CPU performance, slot for graphics card and connectors for HDDs/SSDs.
In time we may see HBM in package with APU/CPU as video ram/CPU L4 cache, and even that will not need new socket.
Once we get its full specification, we can approximate its life expectancy.
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To be expected for a completely new architecture really.