AMD "ZEN" Mobile Chips En Route Q2-2017 Launch

[btarunr]

AMD will follow up its Q1-2017 launch of socket AM4 desktop processors and APUs based on the "ZEN" microarchitecture, with single-chip mobile processors and APUs in the following quarter, according to an Expreview report. These solutions could take advantage of the fact that "ZEN" CPUs and APUs completely integrate platform core-logic (chipsets), even though on the desktop platform, AMD is launching the A320, B350, and X370 chipsets to expand connectivity given out by the SoCs.

With requirements for fewer M.2, SATA, and USB 3.0 ports on mobile platforms such as notebooks, designs that completely do away with the chipset should theoretically be possible, and the company could use this to score design wins. Intel currently offers CPU and PCH on single packages, as multi-chip modules (MCMs).



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[Prima.Vera]

A lot of talk and nothing concrete yet. Just bring out the products already. We are tired of PRs, paper launches and rumors.

 

[ssdpro]

A lot of talk and nothing concrete yet. Just bring out the products already. We are tired of PRs, paper launches and rumors.

+1

Read that last paragraph/lines a couple times. I am not even sure what that means. What are the requirements for M.2, SATA, and USB 3.0 ports currently? And what new requirements are being put in place? Are there even "requirements" for, say, 3x M.2 ports currently? And who changed these requirements? And to what number? Or are requirements not requirements at all and just blah blah design options?

 

[bug]

designs that completely do away with the chipset should theoretically be possible, and the company could use this to score design wins

I really, really hope this is just low-quality journalism and AMD isn't betting on design, but rather on performance and efficiency wins.

Because, let's face it, while intel grew complacent and performance on the desktop has plateaued for 5+ years, on the mobile front some amazing advancements have taken place. I have an unpretentious CPU that only sips 15W and delivers enough punch to run everything you need for internet browsing, text editing and even programming without breaking much of a sweat.

 

[Caqde]

+1

Read that last paragraph/lines a couple times. I am not even sure what that means. What are the requirements for M.2, SATA, and USB 3.0 ports currently? And what new requirements are being put in place? Are there even "requirements" for, say, 3x M.2 ports currently? And who changed these requirements? And to what number? Or are requirements not requirements at all and just blah blah design options?

I'm pretty sure that is an arbitrary requirement based on what is known about such devices. Set mainly by the standards of what is expected of such a device which would normally amount to 1-5 USB ports. 0-1 M.2, 1-3 SATA. Normally though it would be something like 3 USB, 1 M.2, and maybe 1 SATA or 3 USB, 0 M.2, and 1 or 2 SATA.

As for the article I'm waiting patiently for these new Zen CPU/APU's hoping they meet my expectations.

 

[The Quim Reaper]

They'll probably be in very short supply as well seeing as Microsoft will grabbing most of the first Zen based APU's for their new 'Scorpio' console.

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

They'll probably be in very short supply as well seeing as Microsoft will grabbing most of the first Zen based APU's for their new 'Scorpio' console.

I HIGHLY doubt that the 35 watt quad core mobile APUs are coming from the same pool as 200+W eight core console APUs. As in they probably wont even be on the same wafer. The scorpio is going to have a 480 sized GPU. There is 0 way AMD could fit a GPU that big into a mobile APU without wasting boatloads of silicon.

 

[yotano211]

Since I am upgrading to a new laptop very soon, I am not going to wait 3Q for Zen to come out on laptop. I will keep it for 2-3 years and upgrade again, by that time lets see if Zen is out on the mobile front.

 

[LemmingOverlord]

I really, really hope this is just low-quality journalism and AMD isn't betting on design, but rather on performance and efficiency wins.

Because, let's face it, while intel grew complacent and performance on the desktop has plateaued for 5+ years, on the mobile front some amazing advancements have taken place. I have an unpretentious CPU that only sips 15W and delivers enough punch to run everything you need for internet browsing, text editing and even programming without breaking much of a sweat.

Neither. 'Design wins' are industry jargon for OEMs launching SKUs based on the product. For example, if at launch you have HP, Dell, Lenovo, Acer, Asus, etc etc etc announce a total of 100 different computers based on Zen mobile, then AMD claims 100 design wins.

It has nothing to do with aesthetics but with the CPU architecture adoption...

I'm pretty sure that is an arbitrary requirement based on what is known about such devices. Set mainly by the standards of what is expected of such a device which would normally amount to 1-5 USB ports. 0-1 M.2, 1-3 SATA. Normally though it would be something like 3 USB, 1 M.2, and maybe 1 SATA or 3 USB, 0 M.2, and 1 or 2 SATA.

As for the article I'm waiting patiently for these new Zen CPU/APU's hoping they meet my expectations.

This is just confusing English. The author means "demand", as in " the industry demands less extraneous interfaces" in order, I presume, to cut down licencing fees, manufacturing costs, weight, improve battery life, etc...

In other words: one interface bus to rule them all (for external), and another one for internals.

They'll probably be in very short supply as well seeing as Microsoft will grabbing most of the first Zen based APU's for their new 'Scorpio' console.

Don't think Scorpio is Zen-based. It's a rehash of the Jaguar CPU but now with RX480-class graphics and some performance tweaks.

 

[ASOT]

Next year ))))) So X-mas for all AMD fans

GG Intel

Edit:This Zen is hard to play ))

 

[The Quim Reaper]

Don't think Scorpio is Zen-based. It's a rehash of the Jaguar CPU but now with RX480-class graphics and some performance tweaks.

Microsoft will not be able to meet their 4K targets with a Jaguar CPU based console, they're simply too underpowered for the job, the PS4 Pro has a Jaguar clocked at 2.1Ghz, which is only 100mhz slower than the fastest air cooled overclock of any Jaguar core, and it is still too slow to power the draw calls needed for true 4K visuals.

Scorpio will be Zen based and use the same 'OS wrapper' emulation used by Xbox One, for its backwards compatibility.

 

[bug]

Microsoft will not be able to meet their 4K targets with a Jaguar CPU based console, they're simply too underpowered for the job, the PS4 Pro has a Jaguar clocked at 2.1Ghz, which is only 100mhz slower than the fastest air cooled overclock of any Jaguar core, and it is still too slow to power the draw calls needed for true 4K visuals.

Scorpio will be Zen based and use the same 'OS wrapper' emulation used by Xbox One, for its backwards compatibility.

Yeah... no. http://digiworthy.com/2016/09/11/amd-zen-custom-socs-project-scorpio/

 

[ShurikN]

Crap... I wanted to get the missus a Zen APU Laptop in Q1 next year. I don't think her crappy 6 year old Asus is gonna last that long. XPS it is...

 

[bug]

Crap... I wanted to get the missus a Zen APU Laptop in Q1 next year.

Why would you plan on buying a product that is not only not released, but virtually nobody knows how it will perform? This is as puzzling to me as people pre-ordering games.

 

[sutyi]

Why would you plan on buying a product that is not only not released, but virtually nobody knows how it will perform? This is as puzzling to me as people pre-ordering games.

Well... we better hope it turns somewhat competitive, otherwise we'll have to crack open the piggy-bank for small performance upgrades on the CPU and GPU front starting around 2019...

 

[LemmingOverlord]

Microsoft will not be able to meet their 4K targets with a Jaguar CPU based console, they're simply too underpowered for the job, the PS4 Pro has a Jaguar clocked at 2.1Ghz, which is only 100mhz slower than the fastest air cooled overclock of any Jaguar core, and it is still too slow to power the draw calls needed for true 4K visuals.

Scorpio will be Zen based and use the same 'OS wrapper' emulation used by Xbox One, for its backwards compatibility.

-> Let's wait and see... Depends on when Scorpio actually lands... I wouldn't hold my breath, but mainstream media have it in for the "custom 8-core CPU" for Scorpio which would certainly be Zen.

 

[bug]

Well... we better hope it turns somewhat competitive, otherwise we'll have to crack open the piggy-bank for small performance upgrades on the CPU and GPU front starting around 2019...

Hope? Yes. We'd better hope each new product (not only CPUs) turns out fine. We're not haters after all.
But planning on getting one at this point is pretty pointless. Especially with AMD having a proven track record of under delivering each time they keep performance numbers close to their chests. There are signs out there that Zen may be different, but that's all we have at this point: signs.

 

[sutyi]

Hope? Yes. We'd better hope each new product (not only CPUs) turns out fine. We're not haters after all.
But planning on getting one at this point is pretty pointless. Especially with AMD having a proven track record of under delivering each time they keep performance numbers close to their chests. There are signs out there that Zen may be different, but that's all we have at this point: signs.

True, we'll have to wait for numbers as always.

 

[bug]

-> Let's wait and see... Depends on when Scorpio actually lands... I wouldn't hold my breath, but mainstream media have it in for the "custom 8-core CPU" for Scorpio which would certainly be Zen.

And that's despite me posting a recent link saying otherwise. So certain are you...

 

[TRWOV]

View attachment 79004 View attachment 79005 View attachment 79006 View attachment 79007 Its built! but its not a AM1 system (yet) but you get to see the case anyway with everything installed

Wrong thread?

 

[ShurikN]

Why would you plan on buying a product that is not only not released, but virtually nobody knows how it will perform? This is as puzzling to me as people pre-ordering games.

Because I want to support AMD as much as I can. And I need a new laptop in 2017.

 

[Tatty_Two]

Wrong thread?

Yes indeed

 

[ensabrenoir]

....whoa could've sworn something was gonna release at the end of 2016 or early 2017.......gonna be a whole different ball game by Q2. The gains/improvements wont seem so shiny by then.

 

[TheGuruStud]

....whoa could've sworn something was gonna release at the end of 2016 or early 2017.......gonna be a whole different ball game by Q2. The gains/improvements wont seem so shiny by then.

It's not like intel is doing anything. Kaby (stagnate) Pond is just another efficiency boost and little else. Every time time intel says 15% improvement in perf, you divide that by 4 (and I'm skeptical of that much).

I'm sure intel will win efficiency on mobile, but their prices are stupid. A good performing APU will wipe the floor in sales for anyone with a brain. Not to mention the graphics power increase should be substantial.

 

[ensabrenoir]

It's not like intel is doing anything. Kaby (stagnate) Pond is just another efficiency boost and little else. Every time time intel says 15% improvement in perf, you divide that by 4 (and I'm skeptical of that much).

I'm sure intel will win efficiency on mobile, but their prices are stupid. A good performing APU will wipe the floor in sales for anyone with a brain. Not to mention the graphics power increase should be substantial.

When a company intentionally slows down due to its only completing against itself.....it has some aces up its sleeve its saving for the right moment.