CPUs

AMD’s Zen 4 Based Epyc Genoa CPUs May Feature up to 128 Cores; 5th Gen Ryzen up to 32 Cores

Recently, it was discovered that AMD is testing 80mm2 dies for Zen 4 based on TSMC’s 5nm node. These dies (or chiplets) will power the Ryzen 5000 and the Epyc Genoa server processors. Although we’re still quite far from the launch date and the specs of the said parts are a mystery, we can still draw one interesting conclusion.

The Zen 4 chiplets seem to be 80mm2 in area which is 10% higher than the present Zen 2 dies (74mm2). Furthermore, as per TSMC, its 5nm EUV node will be 80% more denser compared to the 7nm process. You see where I’m going with this?

If these figures are correct, then AMD’s Epyc Genoa CPU may feature as many as 128 cores or 256 threads, twice as much as 2nd Gen Rome. On the consumer side, the Ryzen 9 5950X should pack up to 32 cores and 64 threads. Now, I know this sounds a bit too far-fetched but please indulge me for a minute.

The Zen 4 based Ryzen 5000 and Epyc Genoa parts are slated for launch in late 2021 (or early 2022). The next-gen Zen 3 processors, Vermeer and Milan are going to land by the end of this year, and as far as we know the core counts are going to be unchanged.

Three consecutive generations without a bump in the core counts is very much unlike AMD. Granted, they may not be doubled but perhaps, increased by around 50-80%, numbers don’t lie and they predict an increase of around 2x in transistor count per CCD (chiplet). That can only mean twice as many cores: 128 for Epyc and 32 for Ryzen.

Of course, AMD may as well just reduce the chiplet count, but I’m betting on the former. Another motivation behind this is the recent increase in the number of ARM-based servers featuring as many as 64 cores, with future models promising 128 cores and more. Considering all this, I believe it’s highly likely that we’ll see an Epyc Genoa chip in 2021/22 with 128 cores (256 threads).

Source

Areej Syed

Processors, PC gaming, and the past. I have been writing about computer hardware for over seven years with more than 5000 published articles. Started off during engineering college and haven't stopped since. Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Divinity, Torment, Baldur's Gate and so much more... Contact: areejs12@hardwaretimes.com.
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