Processor Architecture
Ongoing coverage on Processor Architecture.
Latest coverage
New $99 AMD CPU keeps decade-old AM4 socket and DDR4 RAM alive
AMD has released the new Ryzen 5 5500F processor, which utilizes the older AM4 socket and DDR4 RAM, offering a budget-friendly option for PC builders. The chip features a six-core, 12-thread configuration with PCIe 4.0 support and is priced at $99.
It seems like AMD's Zen 6 LP CPU cores will be a mixture of architectures going all the way back to Zen 2
AMD's upcoming Zen 6 low-power CPUs will reportedly combine elements from various Zen architectures, including Zen 2, Zen 3, Zen 4, and Zen 5, to create a unique "collage CPU." This design aims to optimize performance and power efficiency for devices like laptops and gaming handhelds.
Evening Tech Bits
The article touches on advancements in quantum computing, noting that quantum computers are now outperforming classical ones with trustworthy results. It also reports that AMD has quietly integrated support for its upcoming Zen 6 CPU architecture, codenamed 'Olympic Ridge' for desktops and 'Medusa' for mobile Ryzen processors, into the Linux kernel.
AMD Zen 6 server processors have me hopeful for some beefy desktop chips—it shouldn't be too long before Zen…
AMD CEO Dr. Lisa Su revealed that the upcoming Zen 6 server processors, codenamed 'Venice,' will offer up to 1.8 times more performance than Zen 5-based chips due to higher IPC and frequency. This advancement is expected to translate to more powerful desktop processors launching in late 2026 or early 2027, with AMD also outlining a yearly cadence for future server chip generations like Zen 7 and Zen 8.
Morning Tech Bits
AMD has reportedly revived its 7-year-old Zen+ architecture with new Ryzen 3 3100U and Ryzen 5 3501U laptop chips. Separately, AMD is reported to have denied a researcher a $10,000 bug bounty reward despite acknowledging a critical-severity vulnerability.
Evening Tech Bits
Intel's upcoming Z970 and Z990 chipsets are expected to consume up to 14W at peak load, featuring increased PCIe 5.0 support. Meanwhile, AMD claims its Zen 6 architecture will offer a 256-core design, positioning itself competitively against Nvidia.
Nvidia may have announced the RTX Spark, but the first true Nvidia CPU for the PC is coming in 2028
Nvidia has revealed its roadmap for the RTX Spark, which will feature its own Vera CPU cores designed in-house, expected in 2028. The current RTX Spark uses licensed Arm CPU cores, but the 2028 iteration aims for world-class single-threaded performance. Nvidia also plans further generations through 2030.
PS3 emulation may not be viable until PS6 according to tech analysis, and Xbox Project Helix might even do it first
A technical analysis suggests that robust PlayStation 3 emulation may not be feasible on console hardware until the PlayStation 6 generation, primarily due to the complexity of the PS3's Cell processor. While some PS3 games run well on a jailbroken PlayStation 5 via Linux, others struggle significantly. Microsoft's Xbox platform, potentially through a PC-like 'Project Helix,' might offer a viable emulation solution sooner.
Intel's freshly leaked roadmap for desktop and laptop CPUs is so complicated that it's given me a headache, but at least it all looks very promising on the Core Ultra processor front
A leaked roadmap from Moore's Law Is Dead details Intel's upcoming desktop and laptop CPU generations, including Nova Lake, Razer Lake, and Hammer Lake. These future processors are expected to feature a unified core design, potentially bringing back HyperThreading on desktop models and utilizing a single LGA 1954 socket across multiple generations.
Twisted Metal dev was "convinced" the PS3 would "never be" emulated, and now he's congratulating RPCS3 on proving him wrong: "Amazing work"
The developers behind the PlayStation 3 emulator RPCS3 have announced a significant breakthrough in emulating the console's complex Cell CPU, leading to performance improvements in games like the Twisted Metal reboot. James Stanard, the original game's principal engine developer, expressed his surprise and admiration, having previously believed the PS3 would be un-emulatable. This advancement is crucial for the preservation of the PS3's game library.
Sunday Tech Bits
A rumor suggests that Intel's upcoming Coyote Cove P-Cores for Nova Lake CPUs will feature higher Instructions Per Clock (IPC) but lower clock speeds compared to AMD's Zen 6 architecture. The article also briefly mentions a user's experience with a PCIe riser causing an unspecified issue.
AMD says Intel's 'interesting choices' around multithreading could help Epyc CPUs gain server market…
AMD believes its upcoming Epyc Venice processors will extend its performance lead over Intel's next-generation Xeon Diamond Rapids CPUs, partly due to Intel's decision to remove HyperThreading. AMD's VP of compute and enterprise AI, Madhu Rangarajan, stated this move will help AMD gain more market share in the broader enterprise sector. Intel, however, maintains confidence in its Xeon 6 family's aggregate value proposition.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 is finally here, packing in 16 CPU cores and two 3D V-Cache chips
AMD has released the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2, a new CPU featuring 16 cores and two 3D V-Cache chips. This processor represents a significant advancement in AMD's Zen 5 architecture and 3D V-Cache technology.
Google is adding official Chrome support for users running Arm and Linux and it's about time
Google will officially support its Chrome browser on Linux distributions utilizing Arm64 processors in the second quarter of this year. This expansion follows previous support for Arm-based macOS and Windows devices, aiming to provide a seamless experience for users switching to Arm-based Linux systems.
Intel Nova Lake guide - all the latest on the new Core Ultra 400 CPUs
Intel's upcoming Nova Lake desktop CPUs, expected in late 2026 or early 2027, aim to compete with AMD's top gaming processors. These Core Ultra 400 series chips are rumored to feature significantly increased core counts and L3 cache, potentially reaching up to 52 cores and 288MB of cache, with higher TDPs than current models.
