AMD updates numbering system for Ryzen mobile processors ahead of Mendocino APU launch

Whereas all eyes are on the upcoming launch of AMD’s new Ryzen 7000 desktop processors, the chipmaker additionally has its wheels in movement for the way forward for its cellular product line. And whereas we’re nonetheless a bit removed from the primary Zen 4 shifting elements, extra instant on AMD’s roadmap is their Zen 2-based Mendocino SoC, which is geared toward shopper laptops. The Mendocino APUs are anticipated to launch subsequent quarter, and to organize for that launch, AMD is immediately updating its cellular processor numbering scheme to accommodate these future merchandise.

The brief model of issues is that whereas the brand new numbering system is kind of much like AMD’s earlier system (e.g. Ryzen Cellular 6000), the corporate now dedicates a quantity to signify the model of the Zen structure getting used. Whereas AMD is about to have Zen 2 (Mendocino), Zen 3 (Rembrandt) and probably Zen 4 (Phoenix) cellular APUs all hitting the market on the identical time, AMD has determined they should higher disclose the structure used beneath – a “crucial evil”, as former AnandTech CPU editor Dr. a number of variations of Zen structure.

So with out additional ado, here is your set-top field for AMD’s Ryzen Cellular product line for the subsequent few years.

Ranging from the highest, the the primary digit is now explicitly a mannequin 12 months digit. AMD picks up the place it left off right here with the present Ryzen Cellular 6000 collection merchandise and begins with the 7000 collection for mannequin 12 months 2023 merchandise. 2024 mannequin 12 months and 2025 mannequin 12 months respectively.

“Mannequin 12 months” is the operational time period right here, as Mendocino APUs could be the primary merchandise to make use of the brand new numbering system, regardless that they launch in late 2022. So much like cars, AMD is giving itself some leeway operationally. maneuver to hold ahead year-end income to the subsequent calendar 12 months.

In step with AMD’s APU combine, this additionally offers AMD extra room to recycle/refresh present elements for future mannequin years by incrementing the mannequin 12 months quantity. Granted, AMD is already doing this with elements just like the Renoir/Zen 2-based Ryzen Cellular 5000 chips, which has led to among the confusion AMD seeks to resolve with its new numbering system. One way or the other, OEMs wish to have elements with “present” mannequin 12 months numbers, and since AMD is not going to do top-to-bottom revisions to its cellular APU structure each calendar 12 months, it is the compromise to permit AMD to replace its {hardware} primarily based on growth and market situations.

Throughout this time the the second digit stays the chip market section, indicating whether or not it is a Ryzen 3, 5, 7, or 9 half. AMD has used this quantity fairly loosely through the years, incrementing it extensively for increased section elements, and this observe ought to proceed with the brand new numbering system. Which means that 9 and seven will likely be Ryzen 9 and seven respectively, whereas 8 will likely be break up between Ryzen 9 and Ryzen 7. In the meantime, Ryzen 5 will use 5 and 6, and eventually Ryzen 3 will use 3 and 4.

Based on this, the third digit is the Zen structure model. It finally ends up being quite simple, with every model of the Zen structure taking the corresponding worth, for instance Zen 2 is a 2 and Zen 3 is a 3.

As talked about earlier, that is the biggest and most vital change to AMD’s numbering scheme. With the upcoming launch of the Zen 2-based Mendocino APUs, it’s in AMD’s curiosity to make sure that they clearly disclose the processor structure used, so that buyers aren’t fooled into considering they get a chip primarily based on a brand new structure like Zen 4. With AMD seemingly set to replace solely a fraction of its chip lineup every calendar 12 months – and the mannequin 12 months determine being primarily nugatory in figuring out the structure used – that is how AMD will be capable to have a single product stack made up of various chip architectures whereas making the required disclosures to keep away from deceptive shoppers.

By rounding the figures, the the fourth digit is the minor efficiency section for a chip. Even with 7 main market/efficiency segments, AMD usually presents a number of chips in every section. Thus, the fourth digit will likely be used as the ultimate aspect to point whether or not it’s the quickest or slowest chip (high or backside) in that market section. Notably, there are at the moment solely two values ​​supplied for the fourth digit: 0 and 5. 0 would be the lowest a part of the section, and 5 the quickest. And, if AMD chooses to introduce a 3rd chip in a given market section (say, a 3rd Ryzen 5 753x), then there’s loads of room for added worth.

To complete, the suffix will proceed to point the TDP of the chip. That is unchanged from AMD’s present use of suffixes. So, HX would be the high-end 55W+ elements, HS the 35W elements, U the 15W elements, and the tiny e their 9W elements. AMD drops the H suffix, nonetheless; whereas the corporate is not speaking about future merchandise, it is a lower than delicate trace that the 45W half numbers are going away in favor of sustaining clear groupings of 55W and 35W elements.

In the meantime, SKUs particularly geared toward Chromebooks can even retain their C suffix to distinguish them from AMD’s regular chips designed for full-fledged laptops. For the time being, all of AMD’s Chromebook chips are 15W-28W.

All in all, it is fairly straightforward to see/undertaking how future AMD chips will likely be numbered. A rebadged model of the Rembrandt-based Ryzen 7 6800HS, for instance, would find yourself trying just like the Ryzen 7 7730HS. On high of that, a Mendocino chip would find yourself trying just like the Ryzen 3 7320. And additional down the road, when AMD launches its Zen 4 cellular APUs, you will have one thing just like the Ryzen 9 7945HX (on the market alongside the marginally Ryzen 9 7940HX slower and the much less highly effective Ryzen 9 7945HS). And brought to an absurd diploma, this technique offers AMD the power to do some significantly loopy combos, like resurrecting the Zen+-based Picasso in 2025 for the Ryzen 9 9915HX.

From a practical standpoint, in case you’re not an everyday AnandTech reader, you are unlikely to recollect the total scope of AMD’s cellular chip numbering system – and even AMD is aware of as a lot. . However by utilizing a constant numbering system that steadily will increase in worth with a chip’s efficiency, AMD must be higher capable of talk what’s beneath the hood and the way their chips are supposed to check to one another. .

Pictured above: A Ryzen Cellular decoder wheel distributed by AMD to the press. It is much less intimidating than it appears