Some new documents have surfaced on the web, the slides contain information about the AMD Socket AM4 and explain the transition towards Zen based processors (which are expected 2nd half next year). AM4 will be the new desktop socket for AMD. Information indicates that in March (say CeBIT timeframe) we'll see motherboards based on the new socket. AM4 will transition from Excavator architecture towards Zen architecture.

A lot is riding on Zen alright. AM4 will be the slot to use for both APUs and many multi-core processors. Bristol Ridge will likely be the first processor to be used, the followup of the Carrizo APU. The Socket AM4 Desktop platform will support DDR4 RAM memory and FP4 would be the soldered socket for mobile platforms (supporting both DDR3 and DDR4). Bristol Ridge will have up to four CPU cores with TDP ranges from 45W to 65W and thus with support for DDR4 memory (2400 MHz). Later in 2016 AMD will launch their Zen architecture multi-core CPUs, which feature the company's next-gen, performance-focused CPU cores.

AMD, Zen's main focus will be on increasing per-core performance rather than core count or multi-threading performance. Zen architecture will be built on a more efficient 14 nanometer process, rather than the 32 nm and 28 nm processes of previous AMD FX CPUs and AMD APUs. The "Summit Ridge" Zen family will also feature a unified AM4 socket with its GPU-equipped "Raven Ridge" APU counterparts, and feature DDR4 support and a 95W TDP. Zen does not support DDR3, only 7th generation AMD APUs (also fitting the AMD AM4 unified socket) support DDR3 and DDR4.

Anyway, have a peek at the slides below.

Sources: Benchlife.info, Planet 3DNow





