AMD's next-generation Ryzen CPUs based on the Zen 6 core "Medusa Ridge" architecture will pack increased core and cache counts.
AMD Zen 6 "Medusa Ridge" Line of Ryzen CPUs To Pack Increased Core & Cache Counts
It looks like we finally have some new information on the core and cache counts of the next-gen Zen 6-based Ryzen offerings. The company has already announced the continuation of its high-performance journey with new Zen 6 and Zen 6C cores, which will be heading out to server, laptop, and desktop platforms. These CPUs are also expected to land on the same AM5 socket, which will be great for those who have invested in the latest motherboards.
Previously, it was reported that AMD's Zen 6 CPUs would come in CCD configurations ranging from 8, 16 and up to 32 cores. This alone would mark a doubling of the max core count versus existing Zen lineups, but it looks like Chiphell's forum member and credible insider, Zhangzhonghao, is back with some new information regarding the cache count and core configurations that we can expect.
Based on his latest post, it looks like the AMD Ryzen "Zen 6" CPUs, which are codenamed under the "Medusa Ridge" series, will come in 12, 24 and 32 core parts. The user reported that the 12 and 24 core variants will feature a 96 MB cache, while the maximum cache will be 128 MB. It is hard to go by these numbers alone, so another user followed up with his thinking about the figures and the OP responded with an affirmative.
The user states that the 12-core Zen 6 CCD will feature a 48 MB L3 cache while the 32-core variant will pack a 128 MB L3 cache. The 32-core variant will come with Zen 6C cores instead of the vanilla Zen 6 cores. It is also said that Desktop Non-X3D CPUs will feature two 48 MB L3 cache clusters or 48 MB per CCD, which will round up to 96 MB. So, for easier explanation, we get something like the following:
- Single Zen 6 CCD - 48 MB L3 Cache
- Dual Zen 6 CCDs - 96 MB L3 Cache
- Single Zen 6C CCD - 64 MB L3 Cache
- Dual Zen 6C CCDs - 128 MB L3 Cache
The standard AMD Zen 6 CCDs will offer a 50% increase in cache count over the Zen 5 cores, while the Zen 6C CCDs will offer double the cache count uplift versus Zen 5. Also, these are all non-X3D parts, so we can expect even higher caches with those models. AMD has already leveraged its 2nd Generation 3D V-Cache in Ryzen 9000 "Zen 5" CPUs so next-gen Ryzen can further boost the cache counts and even bring forth dual-X3D variants if there's a need for it though the company says that it all comes down to economics and the reason they haven't done dual X3D caches is not due to technical limitations.
The AMD Ryzen 9000 and Ryzen 9000X3D CPUs are phenomenal solutions already, offering top-notch gaming and content creation performance with superior efficiency versus the Intel offerings. AMD is soon going to introduce its higher-end Ryzen 9000X3D CPUs, which will further take its lead, so we can expect AMD to continue pushing forward the high-end desktop momentum to new heights in the coming years.
AMD Desktop Socket Families:
| AM4 | Architecture / Year | AM5 | Architecture / Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 1000 | Zen 1 (2017) | Ryzen 7000 | Zen 4 (2022) |
| Ryzen 2000G | Zen 1 (2018) | Ryzen 8000G | Zen 4 (2024) |
| Ryzen 2000 | Zen + (2018) | Ryzen 9000 | Zen 5 (2024) |
| Ryzen 3000G | Zen + (2019) | Ryzen 9000X3D | Zen 5 (2025) |
| Ryzen 3000 | Zen 2 (2019) | Ryzen 10000? | Zen 6? (2026) |
| Ryzen 5000 | Zen 3 (2020) | - | - |
| Ryzen 5000G | Zen 3 (2021) | - | - |
| Ryzen 4000 | Zen 2 (2022) | - | - |
