moos

AMD Zen 6 (r) actually targets 7.0 GHz First off, both Intel Nova Lake & AMD Zen 6 are both on TSMC N2P. So, both of them are expected to top out at 6.0 - 6.2 GHz (approx). Cos, Fmax of TSMC N2P HP cells is expected to be around 6.0 - 6.2 GHz. Next: Zen 6 refresh -> 6.8 GHz Razor Lake -> 6.5 GHz This is where it gets interesting. Zen 6 has a refresh on TSMC N2X, and expected to launch next year end (Q4 2027). Interesting part is, N2X has +10% *higher* Fmax compared to current N2P HP according to TSMC. This means, the theoretical peak frequency for Zen 6 refresh is 6.82 GHz (assuming the current gen Zen 6 N2P HP maxes out at 6.2 GHz). Nova Lake's successor launching next year end (Q4 2027) alongside Zen 6 refresh is Razor Lake. And Razor Lake doesn't enjoy the same benefits of +10% Fmax like Zen 6 refresh. Razor Lake is reportedly using N2P v2 with an upgraded UHP library that's expected to offer lower Fmax gains (roughly +5% only). That's lower than Zen 6 refresh, and RZL's theoretical peak frequency should be roughly around 6.5 GHz only. Based on reports on N2X & N2P v2, RZL CPU tiles should enter manufacturing a few months before Zen 6 refresh CPU tiles. But, when the finished products reach shelf is a different subject entirely. So, Zen 6 is not targeting 7.0 GHz, Zen 6 refresh is!!! Zen 6 refresh appears to be a very formidable upgrade. What do you think? (Note: I also saw AMD slides that confirm the same.) Image Credit: overclocking.com & TSMC