AMD Ryzen “Zen 6” CPU Samples Already Distributed, Architecture To Be A “Evolution” With More Cores Per CCD, New “Dual” IMC Design

New details regarding the next-gen AMD Ryzen CPUs based on the Zen 6 core architecture have been revealed by 1usmus, pointing to an evolutionary design.

AMD's Next-Gen Ryzen "Zen 6" CPUs To Feature More Cores Per CCD, New Dual IMC Design, And Architecture To Be An Evolution Rather Than Revolution

AMD hasn't talked about its next-generation Zen 6 CPUs much besides revealing some of the new products, such as the EPYC Venice lineup. There have been a few tidbits that have been out for a few months, but it looks like the creator of the Hydra tuning software, Yuri Bubliy aka 1usmus, has shared new details regarding the Zen 6 core architecture, particularly the variant that will be used on the next-gen Ryzen Desktop lineup.

The most significant detail that has been revealed is that engineering samples of AMD Ryzen CPUs based on the Zen 6 core architecture have already been distributed. This is a big statement, and it looks like this might even be true since 1usmus has insider relations with motherboard manufacturers and engineering folks working on next-gen Ryzen projects. AIDA64 also added initial support for Zen 6 Desktop, Server & Mobile processors, so it looks like certain samples have shown up based on which this support is geared around.

He also states that AMD's Zen 6 core architecture will mostly be an evolution of the Zen 5 architecture, rather than a revolution. This is stated alongside the fact that AMD will be adding more cores per CCD. From previous leaks, we have come to know that Zen 6 CCDs will feature up to 12 cores in the "Classic" configuration, and up to 16 cores in the "Dense" configuration. The cache has also been upped to 48 MB per CCD.

Another major change seems to be happening on the IMC (Integrated Memory Controller) side. 1usmus doesn't have a lot of details in this regard, but he does state that Zen 6-based AMD Ryzen CPUs will get a dual IMC design, but the number of memory channels will remain two. So you shouldn't expect quad-channel memory support on mainstream desktop platforms. This should also be true because the next-generation Ryzen CPUs are expected to retain support on current and future AM5 motherboards, and those are all designed with dual-channel memory layouts.

Besides this, there will be no significant changes to the Boost Algorithms or Curve Optimizer. There might be smaller updates, but nothing major that would get in the way of tuning software such as Hydra. We do expect better compatibility for Zen 6 CPUs to roll out once these chips are finalized, on the way to hit retail, or soon after release.

What to expect from AMD Ryzen "Zen 6" Desktop CPUs:

• Double-Digit IPC Improvement?
• More Cores & Threads (Possibly Up To 24/48)
• Higher Clock Speeds on an Improved Process Node
• Higher Cache (Possibly Up To 48 MB Per CCD)
• Up To 2x CCDs & 1x IOD
• Higher DDR5 Memory Speed Support
• Dual IMC Design (But Retains Dual-Channel Config)
• Similar TDPs

So, if we are looking at 12-core CCDs, we can expect up to 24 cores, but AMD would have the option to scale up to 32 or even 64 cores if they use two Zen 6C dies. That would be an interesting option for users who might want to sacrifice a little bit of clock speed for added compute density, but AMD would have to see if there is any demand in the mainstream segment for such an option, and whether it will make economic sense.

Maybe an EPYC mainstream chip for AM5 will drop by sometime later with such a config. Even 24 cores and 48 threads will be a decent uplift, coupled with 96 MB of on-die cache, plus X3D variants potentially doubling that.

These are definitely things to get excited about, but as for the launch timeframe, Zen 6-based AMD Ryzen CPUs aren't expected until mid or late 2026, which is around the same time Intel will have Nova Lake-S Desktop CPUs out with 52 cores. AMD has so far maintained leadership in gaming, efficiency, and even in pure compute performance, with Intel only edging out in certain cases. Will that change or the Red Team will continue its dominating spree is something that time will tell.

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