Question Zen 6 Speculation Thread

[DrMrLordX]

9600MT/s CUDIMM.

If Zen6 remains AM5-compatible AND becomes dependent on CUDIMMs, that means getting new boards since existing AM5 boards don't support CUDIMMs. Which would sort-of break backwards compatibility with older AM5 boards, unless you just want terrible performance due to bandwidth starvation.

That being said, we don't know that Zen6 will remain on AM5 or what will happen with it.

 

[inquiss]

Moving to quad channel would mitigate any memory bandwidth concerns.



Honestly, I think desktop would be great with 32 cores. It would allow AMD to resolve the odd HEDT problem that Threadripper has.

Example:
Athlon - Dual channel memory - Up to 8 cores -20 PCIE 4.0 lanes
Ryzen - Quad Channel Memory - 8 - 32 cores - 40 PCIE 5.0 lanes (example prices: $1299 32c, $999 24c, $699 16c, X3D +$100)
Threadripper - 8 channel memory - 32+ cores - 80 PCIE 5.0 lanes
EPYC - 12+ Channel memory 32+ cores 80+ PCIE lanes.

Of course it probably won’t ever happen, but one can dream. 🤣

My old Zen 1 Threadripper had quad channel boards for $300-$500. While that was DDR4 and before inflation, I imagine they could get it done for $600-$800. The X chipset could be quad channel while the B chipset could be dual channel. The A chipset could be similar to B except designed for Athlon.

Literally the same page as my post saying som people think there is a market for 4 channel boards, and someone is asking for 4 channel mainstream boards. Remarkably quick. Chapeau.

 

[inquiss]

Well, that is kina my point.

Most (the vast majority) of desktop/laptop users would benefit much more from one "super core" instead of 24 cores. For those that need LOTS more cores, you are really better off with a workstation chip that is specifically designed to feed those cores with lots of memory .... but I am guessing that this is a small fraction of users.

Indeed. It's a small fraction of users. How many people need massive multi thread grunt but don't get enough/any economic benefit from it to be able to afford actual massive multi thread grunt. It's tiny. Since users don't generate economic benefit the price has to be low to sell it, and then you have the risk of some customers that actually pay a decent amount now choosing this cheap option. So this tiny market would have to be substantial to pay for the downside of the customers downgrading to this new option rather than buying thread ripper or epyc.

Don't see it happening.

 

[RnR_au]

If Zen6 remains AM5-compatible AND becomes dependent on CUDIMMs, that means getting new boards since existing AM5 boards don't support CUDIMMs.

Eh? I thought CUDIMM's just had a timer on the memory pcb's? No active support needed by the board and cpu?

Edit... a quick google;

To prevent compatibility issues, the chipset and motherboard manufacturers will roll out BIOS updates to legacy motherboards that disable the clock driver if a CUDIMM/CSODIMM is installed. When a CUDIMM or CSODIMM is installed on a legacy system, it will automatically operate at the supported speed of that chipset and processor.

Source

 

[Tuna-Fish]

If Zen6 remains AM5-compatible AND becomes dependent on CUDIMMs, that means getting new boards since existing AM5 boards don't support CUDIMMs. Which would sort-of break backwards compatibility with older AM5 boards, unless you just want terrible performance due to bandwidth starvation.

In the same way that all AM4 boards have a specified maximum memory clock speed, and you cannot use a very old board to run very high memory clocks.

This is not much of an issue if you upgraded to X3D, though.

 

[DrMrLordX]

Eh? I thought CUDIMM's just had a timer on the memory pcb's? No active support needed by the board and cpu?

Edit... a quick google;


Source

That actually surprises me. I had thought they were completely socket-incompatible and had a different pin interface.

 

[Joe NYC]

If Zen6 remains AM5-compatible AND becomes dependent on CUDIMMs, that means getting new boards since existing AM5 boards don't support CUDIMMs. Which would sort-of break backwards compatibility with older AM5 boards, unless you just want terrible performance due to bandwidth starvation.

That being said, we don't know that Zen6 will remain on AM5 or what will happen with it.

I wonder how popular a "no socket" option becomes, when CPUs like Strix Halo and Medusa Helo are sold permanently attached to mini motherboards.

 

[MS_AT]

I wonder how popular a "no socket" option becomes, when CPUs like Strix Halo and Medusa Helo are sold permanently attached to mini motherboards.

It will find its niche I guess. How big remains to be seen, but they might take-over the SFF community. Also it's not like the socket has to go, they could still do a daughter board (SoC + Mem) plugged into motherboard (IO expansion, power delivery, CXL additional RAM etc). But I would expect for general DIY PC market, the socketed CPUs are here to stay for couple more years for x64. What WoA crowd will do will also be interesting in this context.