This next-generation series, based on the Zen5 architecture, includes the Ryzen 9 9950X, Ryzen 9 9900X, Ryzen 7 7900X, and Ryzen 5 9600X, all part of the Granite Ridge (Desktop processor) lineup. The Zen5 architecture represents the fifth generation of AMD's Zen series CPU microarchitectures, demonstrating the company's ongoing innovation in the processor market. The new Zen5 microarchitecture will power the AMD Ryzen 9000 series processors for desktops, the Ryzen AI 300 series Strix Point processors for notebooks, and the 5th Gen EPYC Turin server processors. We dive into the ZEN5 architecture and talk a little about the Desktop and laptop parts.
AMD announced the launch of its Ryzen 9000 desktop CPU series, scheduled for release in late July 2024. This next-generation series utilizes the Zen5 architecture, generating significant interest following various leaks and reports. The series includes the Ryzen 9 9950X, Ryzen 9 9900X, 7900X, and 9600X, all part of the "Granite Ridge" lineup. Zen 5 represents the fifth generation of AMD's Zen CPU microarchitectures, marking a significant milestone in AMD's resurgence in the processor market. The new Zen 5 microarchitecture underpins the AMD Ryzen 9000 series "Granite Ridge" processors for desktops, the Ryzen AI 300 series "Strix Point" processors for notebooks, and the 5th Gen EPYC "Turin" processors for servers. The Zen5 architecture introduces optimizations that result in higher instructions per cycle (IPC), lower latency, and better overall system performance. For the mobile/laptop Strix Point products the inclusion of AI acceleration features is particularly noteworthy, aiming to enhance machine learning tasks and other AI-driven applications.
You're at Guru3D, so we'll first look into the desktop parts. The Ryzen 9 9950X, positioned as the flagship model, offers a significant performance boost with its higher core and thread count, making it suitable for demanding applications such as gaming, content creation, and professional workloads. The Ryzen 9 9900X and 9700X provide balanced options for users seeking high performance without reaching the flagship model's price point. The 9600X offers an entry point into the high-performance segment, delivering excellent value for its specifications. Further down the lineup, the Ryzen 7 9700X and Ryzen 5 9600X are also confirmed, featuring 8 and 6 Zen5 cores respectively. The 9700X will operate at up to 5.5 GHz with a 40MB cache and a TDP of 65 watts, while the 9600X will have a max clock of 5.4 GHz, a 38MB cache, and the same 65 watts TDP. All processors in this series will support AMD's AM5 socket platform. In addition to the processors, AMD is expected to launch new X870 and B850 motherboards that will accommodate the AM5 socket. These new boards are anticipated to debut at the Computex event, where AMD will likely showcase them alongside the new CPU series. This event will also see the unveiling of the Intel Z890 series, indicating a significant period for advancements in desktop computing hardware. The adjustments in TDP across the new Ryzen models, with reductions ranging from 40 to 50 watts compared to their predecessors, point towards improved power efficiency—a key focus in the latest generation of AMD processors. These developments suggest that AMD is continuing to prioritize enhancements in performance and efficiency to maintain competitiveness with other leading chip manufacturers.
| CPU Cores | Max Clock | L2+L3 Cache | iGPU | TDP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD Ryzen For Desktop |
|||||
| Ryzen 9 9950X | 16x Zen5 | 5.7 GHz | 80MB | 2CU RDNA2 | 170W |
| Ryzen 9 9900X | 12x Zen5 | 5.6 GHz | 76MB | 2CU RDNA2 | 120W |
| Ryzen 7 9700X | 8x Zen5 | 5.5 GHz | 40MB | 2CU RDNA2 | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 9600X | 6x Zen5 | 5.4 GHz | 38MB | 2CU RDNA2 | 65W |
The Ryzen 9 9950X will become the new flagship processor, which will feature 16 cores and 32 threads, achieving boost speeds up to 5.7 GHz. Uniquely, this processor will operate with a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 170 watts and will include 80MB of total cache.
The Ryzen 9 9900X, another high-end SKU, will offer 12 cores and 24 threads with a boost capability of up to 5.6 GHz. It will have a reduced TDP of 120 watts compared to its predecessor and include 76MB of cache, marking a significant adjustment in power efficiency. Both of these Ryzen 9 models maintain the core count and clock speeds seen in the preceding Zen4 series but show enhancements in energy consumption and thermal management. This suggests AMD's ongoing dedication to improving power efficiency without sacrificing performance.
Moving to the mid-range offerings, the Ryzen 7 9700X will feature 8 cores and 16 threads with a maximum boost speed of 5.5 GHz and a notably lower TDP of 65 watts. It will come equipped with 40MB of cache. This marks a 100 MHz increase in boost speed over previous models while significantly decreasing the power requirement from 105 watts in earlier versions. The entry-level Ryzen 5 9600X will include 6 cores and boost up to 5.4 GHz. Like the 9700X, it will also maintain a TDP of 65 watts. This model is designed to offer robust performance for mainstream users and gamers looking for a balance between power and thermal efficiency.
The processors are engineered to provide an average Instruction Per Cycle (IPC) performance improvement of 16 percent over the previous Zen 4 architecture. This enhancement implies that the Zen 5 chips are designed to be 16 percent more efficient at the same clock speeds and core counts, contingent upon specific workloads. Unlike the incremental updates often seen between previous Zen iterations, AMD characterizes Zen 5 as a substantive leap forward from Zen 4.
Several architectural improvements have been implemented to achieve this advancement. Among these, AMD has optimized the branch prediction accuracy and reduced its latency, to improve the processor's efficiency in predicting the direction of a branch instruction before it is confirmed. AMD also enhanced the throughput capabilities by expanding the pipelines and vector sizes, which facilitates the handling of more data simultaneously and improves the core's parallel processing ability. Furthermore, Zen 5 processors are reported to have enlarged window sizes that allow for more instructions in the pipeline, enhancing the overall computational throughput.
In terms of data handling, AMD let us know that the Zen 5 architecture doubles the bandwidth for front-end instructions. This enhancement is also reflected in the increased data transfer rates between the L1 and L2 caches and from L1 cache to the floating-point (FP) unit, which should notably boost the processor's efficiency in handling complex computations and data-intensive tasks.
AMD’s latest branch predictor in the Zen 5 architecture aims to reduce latency and enhance accuracy, thereby improving overall throughput. Lower latency enables the CPU to access and process branch prediction data more swiftly. Enhanced accuracy reduces mispredictions, conserving CPU resources. Given the Zen 5's wider core design, the increased branch predictor throughput is essential for upholding optimal performance. The additional decode pipeline further supports this objective by ensuring efficient data flow. Zen 5 introduces an 8-wide dispatch, a noteworthy improvement over the 6-wide dispatch of previous Zen architectures. This expansion allows Zen 5 CPU cores to handle more operations concurrently, provided they receive adequate data.
