AMD Demos Breakthrough Performance of the ZEN CPU Core

[btarunr]

At an event last night in San Francisco, AMD provided additional architectural details and a first look at the performance of its next-generation, high-performance "Zen" processor core. AMD demonstrated the "Zen" core achieving a 40% generational improvement in instructions per clock, delivering a landmark increase in processor performance.

During the event, AMD demonstrated an 8-core, 16-thread "Summit Ridge" desktop processor (featuring AMD's "Zen" core) outperforming a similarly configured 8-core, 16-thread Intel "Broadwell-E" processor when running the multi-threaded Blender rendering software with both CPUs set to the same clock speed. AMD also conducted the first public demonstration of its upcoming 32-core, 64-thread "Zen"-based server processor, codenamed "Naples," in a dual processor server running the Windows Server operating system.



"The performance and efficiency of our 'Zen' core showcases AMD at its best," said Dr. Lisa Su, president and CEO of AMD. "Over the last four years we have made significant investments to develop a high-performance, multi-generation CPU roadmap that will power leadership products. Customer excitement for 'Zen' continues to grow as we make significant progress towards the launch of new products that will span from the datacenter to high-end PCs."

The "Zen" processor core features multiple architectural advances designed to increase the performance, throughput, and efficiency of AMD's future products. "Zen" is based on a clean-sheet design and features a new cache hierarchy, improved branch prediction and simultaneous multithreading (SMT). These advances will allow the "Zen" core to scale to meet the needs of a broad range of applications, including fanless 2-in-1s, embedded systems, high-performance computing, and the datacenter.



"An engineer may get one chance in their career to work on a project of this size and scope, and maybe never one with as much potential to impact the future as much as 'Zen,'" said Mark Papermaster, senior vice president and chief technology officer at AMD. "With 'Zen' we aim to do what many never thought possible - deliver a 40 percent generational improvement in instructions per clock while maintaining power requirements in line with our previous generation technology."

"AMD invested where it counts, with an x86 core that can scale from PCs to high-performance servers," said Linley Gwennap, principal analyst, Linley Group. "Consumers today expect to get the most out of their systems to create transformative experiences. The versatile design of 'Zen' delivers highly-efficient performance that should provide increased computing capabilities across the spectrum - from devices to cloud computing."



Expected to launch first, the "Zen"-based "Summit Ridge" desktops will utilize the AMD AM4 socket, a new unified socket infrastructure that is compatible with 7th Generation AMD A-Series desktop processors - previously codenamed "Bristol Ridge" - for exceptional performance and connectivity scalability required by AMD partners and customers. The first desktop systems featuring 7th Generation AMD A-Series processors and new AM4 sockets are scheduled to ship in the second half of 2016 in OEM PC designs.

With dedicated PCIe lanes for cutting-edge USB, graphics, data and other I/O, the AMD AM4 platform will not steal lanes from other devices and components. This allows users to enjoy systems with improved responsiveness and benefit from future-ready technologies that the AM4 platform provides with a powerful, scalable and reliable computing solution.

AMD AM4 platform key technology features include:

• DDR4 Memory
• PCIe Gen 3
• USB 3.1 Gen2 10Gbps
• NVMe
• SATA Express

Additional "Zen" architectural features will be detailed next week in a presentation at Hot Chips 28.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[natr0n]

I'm really excited for this cpu.

 

[Estaric]

Well dang if the reviews turn out good sign me up

 

[Disparia]

Cool.

 

[Jism]

This thing just blew intel's latest 8core/16threads CPU as seen on

AMD IS BACK BABY!

 

[KarymidoN]

That's the problem with AMD, it always tries to match the Current Intel processors, while Intel always tries to overcome the processors that are already on the market. Zen will be another generation of weak and poorly optimized processors that will only pay off in overclock (I'm an AMD User for over 3 years).

 

[Nokiron]

This thing just blew intel's latest 8core/16threads CPU as seen on

AMD IS BACK BABY!

You should cool down the hype and wait for reviews, like every other release..

There was an asterix with this, since they matched the frequency which meant downclocking the Intel.

The most worrying thing is the lack of numbers for single-threaded performance, which still is the biggest part for general computing.

 

[Mathragh]

While surpassing Intel using the same amount of cores and threads in any benchmark at all is an achievement worthy of much praise, the fact that they showcased the performance at equal clocks could mean a potential deficiency in clockspeed on AMDs side compared to Intels competing chips.
Much of the rumor mill has been spewing out signs that would suggest the same, which would fit the alledged current state of Globalfoundries' 14nm process (if they are building Zen at GF at all, some rumors also suggest AMD using TSMC for Zen instead).

 

[Kevin King]

Hmm, the Broadwell-e was clocked wayyy below it's normal clock speed, 3.0GHz versus what it's sold as, 3.7GHz. This tells me that Summit Ridge likely won't be clocked at a similar frequency to Broadwell-E, otherwise they would've shown that comparison, right? It's exciting, sure, but if it's not able to match the clock rate of Intel, I'm not exactly hyped...

 

[Jism]

You should cool down the hype and wait for reviews, like every other release..

There was an asterix with this, since they matched the frequency which meant downclocking the Intel.

The most worrying thing is the lack of numbers for single-threaded performance, which still is the biggest part for general computing.

Does'nt matter. If a 3GHz 8/16 ZEN beats a 3GHz 8/16 Broadwell-e CPU then the goal of AMD is done. It means that we consumers and businesses will have the pick on latest AMD cpu's for far better prices, meaning intel will lower their prices as well.

 

[64K]

I hope AMD does well with Zen but I'm waiting on the reviews as well.

 

[natr0n]

This thing just blew intel's latest 8core/16threads CPU as seen on

AMD IS BACK BABY!

Nothing more needs to be said now.
Queue the haters...3.2.1

 

[Nokiron]

Does'nt matter. If a 3GHz 8/16 ZEN beats a 3GHz 8/16 Broadwell-e CPU then the goal of AMD is done. It means that we consumers and businesses will have the pick on latest AMD cpu's for far better prices, meaning intel bill lower their prices as well.

Sure, you keep believing that. One specific scenario which is obviously best case (why would they otherwise show it?) judges the complete performance.

Again, cool down the hype.

Im all down for buying high-end Zen if it performs similarly, but I really doubt it.

 

[Durvelle27]

Man i been waiting for this

 

[Jism]

Sure, you keep believing that. One specific scenario which is obviously best case (why would they otherwise show it?) judges the complete performance.

Again, cool down the hype.

Im all down for buying high-end Zen if it performs similarly, but I really doubt it.

It's always never enough with you people. They go core to core thread to thread clock to clock, on a bench that is HIGLY reliant on all cores / threads. Outcome is that AMD finishes up that test FASTER then Intel's counterchip. I dont think they would be clocking down that intel chip by putting the bclk down, slower memory speeds and all but simply set for a 30x MP and not 37x.

Bottom point is is that AMD actually offers something with raw power that COMPETES with intel's 8c/16t CPU worth 1000$.

 

[fullinfusion]

good for AMD, I'm happy they got a wonderful CPU that's a fast bastard...

I've been waiting to dam long for this and been with Intel for a while and really.... gawd I hope they pull this off!!

Edit @Jism don't say ( you ppl ) there isn't a can of troll spry big enough to ease there FH's

 

[m1dg3t]

Nice! Now give me an enthusiast class iTX MoBo to go along with it so i can rid myself of Intel.

 

[RealNeil]

I can't wait for the reviews to start rolling in on these things. If they're good, I will buy one.

 

[Nokiron]

It's always never enough with you people. They go core to core thread to thread clock to clock, on a bench that is HIGLY reliant on all cores / threads. Outcome is that AMD finishes up that test FASTER then Intel's counterchip. I dont think they would be clocking down that intel chip by putting the bclk down, slower memory speeds and all but simply set for a 30x MP and not 37x.

Bottom point is is that AMD actually offers something with raw power that COMPETES with intel's 8c/16t CPU worth 1000$.

Never enough? I think you got that backwards.

Why would they use anything but the multiplier? How do you know this won't be just as expensive or just barely cheaper?

What we do know though, like going to a 128-bit FPU instead of Intels 256-bit is quite the compromise. This will lower performance in certain applications.

Again don't hype this up just yet, there are too many unknowns for this.

 

[Jism]

Never enough? I think you got that backwards.

Why would they use anything but the multiplier? How do you know this won't be just as expensive or just barely cheaper?

What we do know though, like going to a 128-bit FPU instead of Intels 256-bit is quite the compromise. This will lower performance in certain applications.

Again don't hype this up just yet, there are too many unknowns for this.

I'll qoute you for this and whenever Wizzard gets his hands on a ZEN cpu and it proves that it actually competes or is even better i'll haunt you till the end of days in these forums. Kthx.

 

[Nokiron]

I'll qoute you for this and whenever Wizzard gets his hands on a ZEN cpu and it proves that it actually competes or is even better i'll haunt you till the end of days in these forums. Kthx.

Because im not overhyping products? What kind of logic is this?

What if it doesn't?

 

[Caring1]

Hmm, the Broadwell-e was clocked wayyy below it's normal clock speed, 3.0GHz versus what it's sold as, 3.7GHz. This tells me that Summit Ridge likely won't be clocked at a similar frequency to Broadwell-E, otherwise they would've shown that comparison, right? It's exciting, sure, but if it's not able to match the clock rate of Intel, I'm not exactly hyped...

http://ark.intel.com/products/94196/Intel-Core-i7-6900K-Processor-20M-Cache-up-to-3_70-GHz
Processor base frequency is 3.2, so they didn't have to down clock it much, and turning off turbo boost stops it from reaching its max of 4GHz.

 

[rhythmeister]

This thing just blew intel's latest 8core/16threads CPU as seen on

AMD IS BACK BABY!

Blew it or blew it away?

 

[alucasa]

Because im not overhyping products? What kind of logic is this?

What if it doesn't?

Neutrals can use logic. Fanboys cannot.

 

[Melvis]

I wonder if they it will be priced around $1000? Since the intel is around $1500 AUS