Linux Kernel 4.21 adds AMD 7nm Zen2 architecture optimization

The AMD 7nm Zen2 processor is expected to be available in the first quarter of next year, with the next-generation 7nm EPYC. The Linux Kernel 4.21 has been updated to optimize the AMD 7nm EPYC Rome processor.

The AMD 7nm EPYC Rome processor has made some bold innovations in its design. For example, the CPU core and I/O Die are separated. “A 14nm I/O die that serves as the linchpin of the design. That central chip ties together eight 7nm CPU chiplets, creating a massively scalable architecture.”

However, after kernel tuning, a new QoS domain that enforces L3 cache limits, priority, and memory bandwidth enforcement is added. This will help the new architecture for a broader software ecosystem and potentially avoid some of the potentials of the new design.

In addition, this tuning is also to make better use of AMD Zen2’s new compiler “znver2”, which supports such as Write Back and Do Not Invalidate Cache (WBNOINVD), Read Processor ID (RDPID) and Cache Line Write Back (CLWB), and so on.

Via: Phoronix