Thursday, March 9th 2023

AMD Ryzen 7045HX3D "Dragon Range" with 3DV Cache Should Technically be Possible

There are two distinct developments in the client processor space for AMD—first, its Ryzen 7000X3D desktop processors have managed to retain gaming performance competitiveness against Intel's fastest 13th Gen Core "Raptor Lake" processors; and second, that its Ryzen 7045HX "Dragon Range" mobile processors are picking up interest in the enthusiast-segment notebook community, where its advanced 5 nm + 6 nm process is dealing damage to 13th Gen Core mobile processors in performance/Watt, and gaming performance. Can AMD dial things up a notch? Technically, yes.

It should technically be possible for AMD to build "Dragon Range" multi-chip modules using "Zen 4" + 3D Vertical Cache CCDs (CPU complex dies), much in the same way it did for the desktop product stack. Such a processor would either have one CCD with the 3DV cache for a CPU core-count of up to 8-core/16-thread; or a contraption similar to the desktop 7950X3D, wherein one of the CCDs has 3DV cache, while the other is a regular "Zen 4" CCD, for core-counts of up to 16-core/32-thread. But will AMD build such chips? A lot would depend on the volumes of L3Ds (the 6 nm dies with the 64 MB 3D Vertical cache memory that operates at 2.5 TB/s), the production of CCDs with 3DV cache; and whether AMD is able to achieve the right performance/Watt numbers against Intel's fastest 8P+16E "Raptor Lake" mobile processors.
In an interview with Korean tech publication Quasar Zone, AMD client and business development manager Eddy Chang stated that the company would "plan products based on market conditions," in a response to a question on whether AMD could extend 3DV cache to other product segments, such as cheaper Ryzen 5 desktop SKUs, or mobile processors. The only mobile processor AMD has in its stack to which it can easily integrate 3DV cache would have to be "Dragon Range," since the engineering effort would be limited to adding a 3DV cache-equipped CCD, and optimizing the chip's power-management.
Sources: Quasar Zone, harukaze5719 (Twitter)
Add your own comment

31 Comments on AMD Ryzen 7045HX3D "Dragon Range" with 3DV Cache Should Technically be Possible

#26
Denver
trsttteWhat??? That's only true when compared to the desktop parts, which are running with stupid high power targets, both nowhere reasonable for a laptop.



They may be better chips, but the extra cache requires more power by itself (shown with the 5800x3d) and the benefits of said cache are questionable on a laptop - dragon range already has double the usual cache for laptops, they're desktop chips essentially.
It's not, if you factor the extra performance that 3D cache brings into gaming efficiency.
Posted on Reply
#27
TumbleGeorge
It's not hard to imagine why there's a lot of gamer perspective here. But laptops were not originally invented to play computer games with them, and still the main directions are different. Gaming laptops still do not represent a large part of the number of manufactured ones.
Posted on Reply
#28
rv8000
TumbleGeorgeIt's not hard to imagine why there's a lot of gamer perspective here. But laptops were not originally invented to play computer games with them, and still the main directions are different. Gaming laptops still do not represent a large part of the number of manufactured ones.
Doesn’t change the point that people should understand what they’re buying and base it on their needs.

Sort of irrelevant as both a normal Zen 4 mobile part and 3D vcache line can coexist. A 3D cache variant would be just as beneficial to those who do multiple tasks on the mobile platform, potentially more than desktop SKUs as the top boost range is already narrower on mobile chips
Posted on Reply
#29
AnotherReader
TumbleGeorgeIt's not hard to imagine why there's a lot of gamer perspective here. But laptops were not originally invented to play computer games with them, and still the main directions are different. Gaming laptops still do not represent a large part of the number of manufactured ones.
It depends upon the use case, but you should consider the extra power given to the regular 7950X. At laptop like power limits, the 3D cache is not a hindrance. There are also workloads besides gaming where it lifts performance considerably. Also consider that laptops typically have JEDEC spec memory, i.e. typically DDR5 4800 CL40 or the like. I wager that testing with RAM like that will show a greater benefit for the 3D cache.



Posted on Reply
#30
Darmok N Jalad
Sounds like a nice idea for a review, take the 7950X3D, drop it to the one 3DV-CCD, then cap the power to 35/45W and start testing. I’m betting it would boost just as well as a conventional CCD, since thermals are the main challenge with 3DV. I tend to agree that it’s a product that might really be at its best in mobile parts. Perhaps one reason we haven’t seen it is due to the different design of mobile ryzens, being monolithic and all. However, a monolithic chip sure has a lot more sq mm for 3DV.
Posted on Reply
#31
Count von Schwalbe
Darmok N JaladPerhaps one reason we haven’t seen it is due to the different design of mobile ryzens, being monolithic and all. However, a monolithic chip sure has a lot more sq mm for 3DV.
Phoenix Point is monolithic, but Dragon Range is the chiplet-based parts repackaged onto a BGA substrate.
Posted on Reply
Add your own comment
Nov 22nd, 2024 01:22 EST change timezone

New Forum Posts

Popular Reviews

Controversial News Posts