Back to all articles

AMD's Zen 5 EPYC "Turin" CPUs: A New Era in Server Computing?

Published: 12-19-2023

(Image credit: AMD)

AMD's upcoming 5th Generation EPYC processors, codenamed "Turin," are set to redefine server computing with the introduction of the Zen 5 architecture. With a scheduled release before the end of 2024, the Turin CPUs represent a leap forward in performance and efficiency, marking a significant evolution from AMD's previous generations.

Advanced Architecture and Enhanced Performance

The details that have been revealed about Zen 5 are extensive, so we’ll break it down into the most important areas of improvement. Some information has been confirmed at the time of writing, and some are still just leaks and rumors.

What is confirmed, by Dr. Lisa Su herself, is that Zen AMD EPYC Turin CPUs are running in the labs, and are on track for a 2024 release. So let’s look at what these chips could bring to the table.

Core and Thread Counts

The next-gen EPYC Turin CPUs are slated to come in 128-core & 192-core configurations according to leaked information. This represents a substantial increase in core and thread count compared to the Zen 4-based EPYC Genoa family, indicating a significant performance boost.

Zen 5 and Zen 5C Differences

According to the same leak mentioned above, the Zen 5 Classic cores in Turin CPUs will offer up to 128 cores and 256 threads, with a maximum of 16 core complexes (CCDs), each providing 32 MB of L3 cache.

This results in up to 512 MB of L3 cache, a 33% increase from the Zen 4 EPYC Genoa family. Conversely, the Zen 5C cores feature 12 compute chiplets for a total of 192 cores and 384 threads, with a slightly reduced 384 MB of L3 cache. This configuration represents a 50% increase in both core/thread counts and total cache count compared to the Zen 4C based EPYC Bergamo CPUs.

Memory and Bandwidth

According to the leaks, the IOD (Input/output Die) of the Zen 5 Turin CPUs is expected to include a DDR5 integrated memory controller supporting 6000 MT/s speeds, PCIe Gen5 (CXL 2.0), Gen3 Infinity Fabric, and Secure Processor support, among other features. These advancements indicate an improved overall system performance, especially in high-demand server environments.

Performance Per Watt

AMD is focusing on delivering a significant jump in performance per watt with the EPYC Turin CPUs. This emphasis on energy efficiency, coupled with the added core counts and improved architecture, positions AMD as a strong competitor against Intel's upcoming Granite Rapids Xeon chips. A face-off we personally can’t wait to witness!

Manufacturing and Variants

The Zen 5 cores will likely be based on a 4 nm mode and a 3 nm version. AMD plans to offer three variants of the Zen 5 core, including Zen 5, Zen 5 with 3D V-Cache, and Zen 5c, providing flexibility and options tailored to diverse server needs.

AMD's EPYC Turin CPUs are poised to bring groundbreaking changes to the server CPU market. With their advanced Zen 5 architecture, increased core counts, and focus on performance per watt, these processors are set to offer unprecedented levels of performance and efficiency. As we at Titan eagerly anticipate their release, you can be sure our Titan Workstations will take full advantage of the latest CPU technology as soon as it becomes available.