AMD Phoenix 2 processor pictures

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Since Intel introduced its heterogeneous CPU architecture with both high-performance and power-efficient cores in its 12th generation Core series, its commendable energy efficiency has granted it considerable advantages in the laptop market, exerting considerable pressure on AMD. Recently, the long-rumored “Phoenix 2” processor, featuring the Zen 4 + Zen 4c core architecture, surfaced once more. From the die shots disclosed by netizen HXL, it’s evident that the design incorporates 2 high-performance cores and 4 power-efficient cores, all of which support hyperthreading, accompanied by a substantial L3 cache.

The core size of the AMD Phoenix 2 processor is somewhat more compact compared to its counterparts. Crafted using TSMC’s N4 process, it consumes power in the range of 15-28W. The presence of 2 high-performance cores suggests that its primary target market encompasses ultrabooks and handheld devices, underscoring its low-power credentials. This May, AMD unveiled the Ryzen 7040U series processors, starting at a 15W power consumption, although manufacturers can adjust this up to 30W depending on device requirements. AMD asserts that these low-power Phoenix iterations boast exceptional battery longevity and introduced four variants, including:

  • Ryzen 7 7840U: 8 cores, 16 threads, a base clock of 3.3GHz, boost clock of 5.1GHz, 16MB L3 cache, integrated with a Radeon 780M GPU featuring 12 CUs, and supports Ryzen AI.
  • Ryzen 5 7640U: 6 cores, 12 threads, a base clock of 3.5GHz, boost clock of 4.9GHz, 16MB L3 cache, equipped with a Radeon 760M GPU with 8 CUs, and supports Ryzen AI.
  • Ryzen 5 7540U: 6 cores, 12 threads, base clock of 3.2GHz, boost clock of 4.9GHz, 16MB L3 cache, featuring a Radeon 760M GPU with 8 CUs.
  • Ryzen 5 7540U: 4 cores, 8 threads, base clock of 3.0GHz, boost clock of 4.7GHz, 8MB L3 cache, integrated with a Radeon 740M GPU with 4 CUs.

It’s noteworthy that AMD hasn’t explicitly detailed whether the foundational architecture of the Ryzen 7040U series is purely high-performance or a mix of both core types. According to AMD’s official data, both the Ryzen 3 7440U and Ryzen 5 7540U utilize a smaller chip area of merely 137mm², about 23% smaller than their high-end counterparts. Rumors suggest that the Ryzen 3 7440U might very well be based on the “Phoenix 2” mixed-core architecture.

Products featuring the 7040U series have recently started making their market debut. However, there’s yet to be any news concerning the Ryzen 3 7440U.

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