Zen (first generation)

AMD Zen
The logo for the Zen microarchitecture is a closed ensō
General information
LaunchedMarch 2, 2017; 7 years ago (March 2, 2017)[1]
Designed byAMD
Common manufacturer
CPUID codeFamily 17h
Cache
L1 cache64 KB instruction, 32 KB data per core
L2 cache512 KB per core
L3 cache8 MB per CCX (APU: 4 MB)
Architecture and classification
Technology node14 nm (FinFET)[2]
Instruction setAMD64 (x86-64)
Physical specifications
Transistors
  • 4.8 billion per 8-core "Zeppelin" die[3]
Cores
    • 2–4 (essential)
    • 4–8 (mainstream)
    • 8–16 (enthusiast)[4][5][6][7]
    • Up to 32 (server)[4][8]
Sockets
Products, models, variants
Product code names
  • Summit Ridge (Desktop)
  • Whitehaven (HEDT)
  • Raven Ridge (APU/Embedded)
  • Naples (Server CPU)
  • Snowy Owl (Server APU)[10]
Brand names
History
PredecessorExcavator (4th gen)
SuccessorZen+
Support status
Supported

Zen is the first iteration in the Zen family of computer processor microarchitectures from AMD. It was first used with their Ryzen series of CPUs in February 2017.[4] The first Zen-based preview system was demonstrated at E3 2016, and first substantially detailed at an event hosted a block away from the Intel Developer Forum 2016. The first Zen-based CPUs, codenamed "Summit Ridge", reached the market in early March 2017, Zen-derived Epyc server processors launched in June 2017[11] and Zen-based APUs arrived in November 2017.[12]

Zen is a clean sheet design that differs from AMD's previous long-standing Bulldozer architecture. Zen-based processors use a 14 nm FinFET process, are reportedly more energy efficient, and can execute significantly more instructions per cycle. SMT has been introduced, allowing each core to run two threads. The cache system has also been redesigned, making the L1 cache write-back. Zen processors use three different sockets: desktop Ryzen chips use the AM4 socket, bringing DDR4 support; the high-end desktop Zen-based Threadripper chips support quad-channel DDR4 memory and offer 64 PCIe 3.0 lanes (vs 24 lanes), using the TR4 socket;[13][14] and Epyc server processors offer 128 PCIe 3.0 lanes and octa-channel DDR4 using the SP3 socket.

Zen is based on a SoC design.[15] The memory controller and the PCIe, SATA, and USB controllers are incorporated into the same chip(s) as the processor cores. This has advantages in bandwidth and power, at the expense of chip complexity and die area.[16] This SoC design allows the Zen microarchitecture to scale from laptops and small-form factor mini PCs to high-end desktops and servers.

By 2020, 260 million Zen cores have already been shipped by AMD.[17]

  1. ^ "AMD Ryzen™ 7 Desktop Processors Featuring Record-Breaking Overclocking Performance Available Worldwide Today" (Press release). Sunnyvale, California: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. 2017-03-02. Archived from the original on 2021-10-28. Retrieved 2020-11-07.
  2. ^ a b "GlobalFoundries announces 14nm validation with AMD Zen silicon". ExtremeTech. Archived from the original on 2016-12-07. Retrieved 2015-11-29.
  3. ^ Cutress, Ian (February 22, 2017). "AMD Launches Ryzen: 52% More IPC, Eight Cores for Under $330, Pre-order Today, On Sale March 2nd". AnandTech. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c Anthony, Sebastian (18 August 2016). "AMD says Zen CPU will outperform Intel Broadwell-E, delays release to 2017". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  5. ^ "Details of AMD Zen 16-core x86 APU emerge". 13 April 2015. Archived from the original on 2 May 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  6. ^ "AMD Zen-based 8-core Desktop CPU Arrives in 2016, on Socket FM3". TechPowerUp. Archived from the original on 2016-03-02. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
  7. ^ Kampman, Jeff (16 May 2017). "Ryzen Threadripper CPUs will offer 16 cores and 32 threads". Tech Report. Archived from the original on 17 May 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  8. ^ Kennedy, Patrick (16 May 2017). "AMD EPYC New Details on the Emerging Server Platform". Serve the Home. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  9. ^ Ryan Smith (6 May 2015). "AMD's 2016-2017 x86 Roadmap: Zen Is In, Skybridge Is Out". AnandTech. Archived from the original on 8 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  10. ^ Kampman, Jeff (18 August 2016). "AMD gives us our first real moment of Zen". Tech Report. Archived from the original on 18 November 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  11. ^ Cutress, Ian. "AMD's Future in Servers: New 7000-Series CPUs Launched and Epyc Analysis". AnandTech. Archived from the original on 21 June 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  12. ^ "HP ENVY x360 Convertible Laptop - 15z touch - HP® Official Store". store.hp.com. Archived from the original on 2017-12-10. Retrieved 2017-12-09.
  13. ^ Brad Chacos (8 January 2016). "AMD Zen-based CPUs and APUs will unify around Socket AM4". PCWorld. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  14. ^ "Ryzen™ Threadripper™ Processors | AMD". www.amd.com. Archived from the original on 2017-09-29. Retrieved 2017-09-29.
  15. ^ "How AMD's powerful Zen chip flouts the SoC stereotype". PCWorld. Archived from the original on 2017-02-06. Retrieved 2017-03-08.
  16. ^ Cutress, Ian (18 August 2016). "Early AMD Zen Server CPU and Motherboard Details". Anandtech. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
  17. ^ AMD Shipped 260 Million Zen Cores by 2020 Archived 2021-10-29 at the Wayback Machine. AnandTech.