AMD will launch new EPYC 4004 series CPUs
AMD is poised to unveil its cutting-edge Zen 5 architecture in 2024, with associated products likely to be released in the first half of the year. The new Zen 5 series architecture will feature three designs: Zen 5, Zen 5 V-Cache, and Zen 5c, available in both 4nm and 3nm versions. It is rumored that compared to the Zen 4 architecture, the Zen 5 could offer a 10% to 15% improvement in IPC (Instructions Per Cycle). Moreover, AMD appears to be gearing up to launch a new series for its EPYC lineup.
Recently, according to leaks from netizen Hoang Ang Phu, AMD is set to introduce the new EPYC 4004 series CPUs, which utilize the same “Raphael” codename as the Ryzen 7000 series (indicating the use of the Zen 4 core architecture), support the AM5 socket, and feature the “X3D” suffix, denoting a version with substantial L3 cache capacity.
What’s particularly noteworthy is that, traditionally, AMD’s EPYC CPUs, aimed at the server market, have supported different CPU socket specifications than the consumer-focused Ryzen series. However, the new EPYC 4004 series will adopt a similar design to the Ryzen series, supporting the AM5 socket. Additionally, the “X3D” suffix has primarily been seen in the Ryzen series. AMD’s strategy may well be to craft a consumer-grade product that diverges from the current Ryzen R9 7950X3D, in response to the burgeoning demand in the AI market.
It is understood that the current fourth generation of AMD EPYC server processors includes the EPYC 9004 series with Zen 4/Zen 4c architecture cores and the EPYC 8004 series with Zen 4c architecture cores, utilizing SP5 (LGA 6096) and SP6 (LGA 4844) sockets, respectively. These models range up to 128 cores with a maximum TDP of 400W, down to a minimum of 8 cores with a TDP of 70W. Given the “Raphael” codename for the EPYC 4004 series, it remains challenging to predict how many cores AMD will equip it with, but it is clear that its scalability and maximum core count will be significantly less than those of the larger, more conventional EPYC series.
The characteristics of this AMD EPYC 4004 series CPU are reminiscent of Intel’s earlier Xeon E3 series, which was also compatible with consumer-grade motherboards and matched specifications with the contemporary Core i7 series, gaining popularity for its excellent cost-performance ratio. It remains to be seen whether AMD’s new EPYC 4004 series will deliver a similar surprise.
