AMD Zen 3 Announcement by Lisa Su: A Live Blog at Noon ET (16:00 UTC)
by Dr. Ian Cutress on October 8, 2020 9:15 AM EST
Update at the top: Here's our article on today's launch!
11:52AM EDT - One of the most anticipated launches of 2020 is now here. AMD's CEO, Dr. Lisa Su, is set to announce and reveal the new Ryzen 5000 series processors using AMD's new Zen 3 microarchitecture. Aside from confirming the product is coming this year, there are very few concrete facts to go on: we are expecting more performance as well as a competitive product.
11:52AM EDT - Eight minutes to go
11:54AM EDT - There is a live stream for those that want to watch at the same time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuiO6rqYV4o
11:54AM EDT - Why not put the stream and our live blog side by side for interesting commentary!
11:56AM EDT - All text and photos in this Live Blog is being done by Ian
11:59AM EDT - 'Begin shortly'
12:01PM EDT - A one minute countdown
12:01PM EDT - This is technically pre-recorded. One of the benefits of a presentation without a live audience, can be prepared and optimized in advance
12:02PM EDT - Here we go
12:02PM EDT - Starting with a short Intro about Zen
12:04PM EDT - Committment to customers, deliver to roadmap
12:04PM EDT - Making the right bets 3-5 years in advance
12:04PM EDT - Lisa to the stage
12:05PM EDT - It's been a challenging year due to COVID
12:05PM EDT - But High perf computing has been really important
12:05PM EDT - work, school, gaming, entertainment
12:05PM EDT - PC is the platform of choice in 2020
12:05PM EDT - An incredible year for gamers
12:05PM EDT - powering both consoles
12:05PM EDT - High performance Ryzen and Radeon
12:06PM EDT - Deep engineering partnerships
12:06PM EDT - Gaming at the heart of AMD - PC or console or cloud or mobile
12:06PM EDT - AMD loves gaming
12:06PM EDT - Gaming beings with AMD
12:06PM EDT - Next Gen PC Gaming platform
12:06PM EDT - One goal - to build the best PC desktop processor possible
12:06PM EDT - With each gen of Ryzen, we're going towards that goal
12:06PM EDT - more perf, best features, more capabilites to everyone
12:07PM EDT - Do more than you ever thought on desktop or notebook
12:07PM EDT - Ryzen in desktops, TR in high-end desktops, and Ryzen 4000 in notebooks
12:07PM EDT - PC users love Ryzen
12:07PM EDT - Desktop progress has been amazing with Ryzen
12:07PM EDT - Beating the expectations
12:08PM EDT - First 7nm desktop processor
12:08PM EDT - Highest in MT perf
12:08PM EDT - Best in power efficiency
12:08PM EDT - That was 3rd gen
12:08PM EDT - Work with Ryzen is never done
12:08PM EDT - What can we do more? What can we do better?
12:08PM EDT - Zen 3
12:08PM EDT - Bringing the best to the PC market
12:08PM EDT - Increases lead in overall perf, and efficiency
12:08PM EDT - Best single threaded performance in the market
12:08PM EDT - Big changes in the core
12:09PM EDT - Papermaster with the details
12:09PM EDT - Shipping Q4 2020
12:09PM EDT - A course over 5 years for outright leadership
12:09PM EDT - Multiple processor teams in parallel
12:09PM EDT - COnsistent delivery to market of performance
12:09PM EDT - Beast in performance
12:10PM EDT - Absolute leadership
12:10PM EDT - 7nm efficiency enabled leadership performance
12:10PM EDT - chiplet allowed ease of manufacturing and scalability
12:10PM EDT - now Zen 3
12:10PM EDT - Improving every aspect of the CPU in the same 7nm node
12:10PM EDT - higher frequency, higher IPC
12:10PM EDT - Lower latency on top
12:11PM EDT - New processor layout
12:11PM EDT - New 8 core complex
12:11PM EDT - Better core-to-core communication
12:11PM EDT - Every core can address 32 MB of L3 cache
12:11PM EDT - Latency sensitive workloads like gaming get a boost
12:11PM EDT - 19% IPC boost
12:11PM EDT - On top of frequency increases
12:11PM EDT - Most significant Zen performance increase
12:12PM EDT - Floating point is wider
12:12PM EDT - Increased loads and store vs Zen2
12:12PM EDT - Wider exectuion capabilites
12:12PM EDT - More branch prediction bandwidth
12:12PM EDT - Clear desktop performance leader
12:12PM EDT - Broad set of improvements
12:12PM EDT - Total front to back redesign
12:13PM EDT - end-to-end improvements
12:13PM EDT - dispatch, decode, all improved
12:13PM EDT - Direct access to 32MB of L3 helps with gaming
12:13PM EDT - Games have a dominant thread that uses the cache
12:14PM EDT - Every core can now communicate to the cache on the chiplet without going off die
12:14PM EDT - Says sync for Gaming, AI
12:14PM EDT - 2.4x perf/watt over first gen Ryzen
12:14PM EDT - 24% perf/watt uplift over Zen2
12:14PM EDT - 2.8x more efficient than 10900K
12:14PM EDT - Not let up going forward
12:15PM EDT - 5nm Zen4 is in track
12:15PM EDT - Next gen Zen processors will keep AMD in the forefront and deliver the best experience for customers
12:15PM EDT - Lisa comes back
12:15PM EDT - Focused on gamers and enthusiasts
12:15PM EDT - Largest increase gen-on-gen since first gen Zen
12:15PM EDT - Ryzen 5000 series
12:16PM EDT - 5900X
12:16PM EDT - 12c/24t, 4.8G boost
12:16PM EDT - 64MB L3 cache, 105W
12:16PM EDT - Big upgrade over Ryzen 3000
12:16PM EDT - Gaming performance is up
12:16PM EDT - 5900X vs 3900XT
12:17PM EDT - Shadow of Tomb Raider
12:17PM EDT - 1080p High preset
12:17PM EDT - +28% increase from 3900XT to 5900X
12:17PM EDT - Better perf over 10900K
12:17PM EDT - 29% is a big upgrade gen-on-gen
12:17PM EDT - Combination of performance metrics
12:18PM EDT - Claiming ~25% overall
12:18PM EDT - from 5% to 50% gain vs 3900XT
12:18PM EDT - sorry, 26%
12:18PM EDT - monumental performance jump for an in-socket upgrade
12:18PM EDT - Relies on strong single core perf
12:18PM EDT - Cinebench R20 1T
12:19PM EDT - One of 25 workloads used to calculate +19% IPC
12:19PM EDT - First desktop to get above 600
12:19PM EDT - 631 on AMD
12:19PM EDT - 544 on 10900K at 5.3 GHz
12:19PM EDT - (595 on Tiger Lake at 4.8 GHz)
12:20PM EDT - Comapred against 10900K, AMD wins in most benchmarks (all but the one AMD is showing)
12:20PM EDT - Wait for 3rd party benchmarks
12:20PM EDT - AMD believes gamers will want 5900X for the best gaming performance you can get
12:21PM EDT - Best Gaming Processor in the world
12:21PM EDT - Now the stack
12:21PM EDT - 5800X - 8c/16t, 3.8G/4.7G, 105W
12:21PM EDT - 5600X, 6c/12t, 3.7G/ 4.6G, 65W
12:21PM EDT - Pricing
12:21PM EDT - +$50 more on MSRP over previous gen
12:22PM EDT - All available November 5th
12:22PM EDT - But THAT'S NOT ALL
12:22PM EDT - Ultimate processor
12:22PM EDT - 16-core Ryzen 9 5950X
12:22PM EDT - Up to 4.9G boost, 105W, 64 MB L3
12:22PM EDT - Breaks CB20 1T with 640
12:22PM EDT - Best in class in every dimension
12:23PM EDT - Still at 105W
12:23PM EDT - +29% gaming perf against 3950X
12:23PM EDT - Against 10900K, the 5950X wins
12:24PM EDT - $799, also Nov 5th
12:24PM EDT - Now Radeon
12:24PM EDT - Next gen Radeon GPU in a few weeks
12:24PM EDT - first preview
12:25PM EDT - Big Navi
12:25PM EDT - AMD's most powerful GPU
12:25PM EDT - Here's a performance preview?!
12:25PM EDT - Borderlands 3
12:25PM EDT - 4K with 5950X + RX6000
12:25PM EDT - 60+ fps at
12:26PM EDT - A few weeks until launch
12:26PM EDT - fine tuning
12:26PM EDT - Oct 28th for the full story for RX6000
12:26PM EDT - Nov 5 for Ryzen 5000 on shelves worldwide
12:26PM EDT - That's a wrap
12:27PM EDT - Here's our article
12:27PM EDT - https://www.anandtech.com/show/16148/amd-ryzen-5000-and-zen-3-on-nov-5th-19-ipc-claims-best-gaming-cpu
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Tams80 - Thursday, October 8, 2020 - link
I'll just go and bu... oh, wait. I can't.zanon - Thursday, October 8, 2020 - link
They've got a new socket coming, and chips will be starting to move over to requiring it in the next few releases (Epyc 4 'Genoa' for example will be the first of those to go to SP5). But a long run time on socket has its advantages, particularly for AMD. First and most obviously, it allows end users to potentially amortize their investments a bit more and upgrade to new chips more easily. But second, AMD hasn't been Intel, they've lacked the sway to just take for granted that mobo makes themselves would always rapidly adapt to anything they did. A stable platform has no doubt been helpful in ensuring a variety of decently solid options for buyers.baka_toroi - Thursday, October 8, 2020 - link
I don't think they make that many sacrifices. It's not like AM4 CPU compatibility spans every single motherboard and chipset. You still have to replace your 1st gen AM4 motherboard if you want to use Zen 3.AMD's socket policy seems quite sane and healthy. It's not like they'll continue using AM4 when Zen 4 is released.
Mr Perfect - Thursday, October 8, 2020 - link
The premise of five years of AM4 was great, but it did not turn out not sane and healthy. You can literally buy an AM4 CPU, plug it into an AM4 motherboard and have it not work! The compatibility matrix is a mess.I suspect a lot of that is down to the small BIOS chips that can't store five years worth of CPU microcode, but it's still a compatibly nightmare. Hopefully they require larger BIOS chips for AM5 and consumers will be able to use any AM5 CPU in any AM5 motherboard, because that's the real reason to keep a socket around for five years.
tamalero - Thursday, October 8, 2020 - link
Compatibility is entirely dependent on the manufacturers and their insistence of using X sized bios files.Not to mention how flashy their motherboard bioses are.
They could cutdown graphics on their bios to allow more cpus.
Makaveli - Thursday, October 8, 2020 - link
Where have you been?Everyone knows this is the last processor on this socket. Were you expecting a new socket now just for zen3 then a new socket for Zen 4 and DDR 5?
nathanddrews - Thursday, October 8, 2020 - link
I have to believe that AMD's decision to work within the bounds of the AM4 socket was in part a budgetary constraint. It *has to* be cheaper to design your new CPUs around a socket than to build a new socket with every CPU.Hul8 - Thursday, October 8, 2020 - link
I think it also has the effect that AMD and the board partners can concentrate on premium motherboards on launch of a new line of CPUs (like it was with desktop Ryzen 3000/X570 launch); The budget options from the previous generation (B450) as well as more affordable predecessors (X470) are compatible with the processors so there is no rush for a complete lineup change.Not only does it allow board partners to upsell premium motherboards to customers who don't really need the features but want the "latest thing" (gaining AMD favor with the partners, and incentivizing lots of designs and competition), it also gives more time to iron out teething BIOS issues, only having to deal with a single chipset at a time.
kolasin2 - Thursday, October 8, 2020 - link
In addition, I think it gives mobo manufacturers the ability to decouple their motherboard offerings from CPU releases. With Intel, you know you'll have a new Zx90 every other generation of CPU, since the socket changes. With AMD, board partners can focus on releasing their products knowing the socket won't change, so they do not need to be lockstep with AMD's release schedule. All they need to worry about is a BIOS update.dotjaz - Thursday, October 8, 2020 - link
Exactly what exactly did you sacrifice?