Thread: Anandtech News

During its CES 2022 ROG Launch Event, ASUS unveiled its latest gaming device, the ROG Flow Z13. Upon first look, it may resemble a gaming-themed version of Microsoft's Surface Pro, but with a mighty kicker. The ROG Flow Z13 features Intel's latest Alder Lake mobile processor, with up to and including NVIDIA's latest GeForce RTX 3050 Ti mobile graphics, as well as up to 32 GB of DDR5-5200 memory. It's also compatible with the ASUS ROG XG Mobile external graphics dock with high-level mobile graphics performance.
Perhaps one of the more exciting announcements from ASUS during CES 2022 is the ROG Flow Z13. It is essentially a powerful 13.4-inch gaming tablet with plenty of functionality and power underneath its hood. The 13.4-inch screen is available either with 1920 x 1080 (FHD) at 120 Hz or 3840 x 2160 (UHD) at 60 Hz with an aspect ratio of 16:10 across both. Some of the ASUS ROG Flow Z13's key specifications include support for up to an Intel Core i9-12900H processor, with a choice of either an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 or RTX 3050 Ti mobile graphics card.

Other specifications of the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 include support for up to 32 GB of LPDDR5-5200 memory, although these are soldered in and cannot be upgraded. Storage options consist of a single PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD, with up to 1 TB of capacities supported. The ROG Flow Z13 has a 56 Wh battery installed with Type-C sharing, a bigger battery than Microsoft's Surface Pro X offers. It also weighs in at just 1.1 KG and is 12 mm thick, and features a complete CNC aluminum chassis.
Acting as both a tablet and a laptop, the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 comes with an inclusive kickstand and comes with a detachable keyboard for users looking to use it as a regular laptop. It includes plenty of connectivity, including a Wi-Fi 6E CNVI for wireless and BT 5.2 support, as well as a Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port, a USB 2.0 port, one HDMI 2.1 video output, a single 3.5 mm headphone jack, and a microSD card reader.

The ASUS ROG XG Mobile eGPU from CES 2021

Much like the ASUS ROG Flow X13 convertible gaming notebook that we covered during CES 2021, the ROG Flow Z13 is also compatible with the ROG XG Mobile external graphics dock. Updated for 2022, the latest ASUS ROG XG Mobile can now support either an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 or AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT over a PCIe 3.0 x8 interface which users more choice. Providing power to the graphics and charging functionality to the Flow Z13 is a built-in 330 W power supply. It also offers an additional four USB 3.2 G1 Type-A ports, a DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.1 video output pairing, as well as one 2.5 GbE port.
At the time of writing, ASUS hasn't informed us when the ROG Flow Z13 will be available to purchase or how much it might cost.
Source: ASUS

More...

At CES 2020, Intel showcased its Tiger Lake hardware with an interesting 'Horseshoe Bend' 17-inch foldable laptop. Fast forward two years and ASUS has taken the concept and run with it to create what it says is the "World's first 17.3" foldable OLED laptop. The ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED has a variety of features, including Intel's 'latest' processor, up to 16 GB of LPDDR5 memory, and a 17.3" foldable OLED touchscreen display capable of supporting resolutions of up to 2560 x 1920 across two panels.
Although the ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED isn't the first foldable laptop on the market, it's undoubtedly the largest of the bunch. This includes either as a laptop, a tablet, or book and extend, with a seamless foldable 180° hinge in the middle that splits the large 17.3" 4:3 2.5k pixel touchscreen panel into two 12.5" 3:2 1080p screens. The bottom panel also includes an on-screen keyboard meaning it can be used without the ErgoSense Bluetooth keyboard and touchpad. It offers a variety of different and usable modes.

The ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED in 'Book' mode

Powering the 17 Fold OLED is a 75 Wh lithium-polymer battery. Focusing more on the screen, the 17.3" OLED panel has a full touchscreen display, a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut with Pantone verification, and an HD IR 5 Megapixel webcam built-in. IO is on the light side, with just one Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port that supports external displays and one 3.5 audio combo jack.

The rear panel of the ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED

When folded, it has a footprint of 287.6 x 189.3 x 17.4 mm (HxWxD), while unfolded, it is even more slimline, with dimensions of 378.5 x 287.6 x 8.7 mm (HxWxD). The ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED weighs just 3.75 lb without the ErgoSense keyboard and 4.39 lb when using it.
Looking at the specifications, ASUS hasn't stated which Intel Alder Lake mobile chip it will use, but it indicated that it'd be a Core i7 U-Series processor. The ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED will include Wi-FI 6E and BT 5.2 connectivity, with four Harman Kardon certified speakers supported by Dolby Atmos for a more immersive audio experience. For storage, there's 1TB of PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2, while there's support for up to 16 GB of LPDDR5 memory.
ASUS has said that the Zenbook 17 Fold OLED will be available sometime in Q2 2022, although it didn't provide any pricing information.
Gallery: CES 2022: ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED, 17 Inch Foldable With Thunderbolt 4


Source: ASUS



More...

With a wide variety of laptops, notebooks, and gaming-focused solutions expected to be announced during CES 2022, ASUS has unveiled that it has updated its Zenbook 14 OLED series for 2022. The AMD version (UM3402) has various features, including AMD's latest 5000U series 'Barcelo' APU, with up to 16 GB of LPDDR4X memory, Wi-Fi 6E, 1 TB of PCIe 3.0 x4 storage, and a 14-inch 90 Hz OLED display.
The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UM3402) is designed around the core design of the previous series but has been invigorated for 2022 with updates to the core specifications. ASUS includes a 14-inch 16:10 OLED touchscreen display with a 2880 x 1800 resolution and a 90% screen-to-body ratio. The panel itself has a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut which is Pantone validated, is VESA HDR 500 certified, and has a fast 90 Hz refresh rate. Along the top bezel is a webcam, but ASUS hasn't provided specifications of it at this time.

Some of the finer specifications include AMD's latest Ryzen 7 5825U APU with 8-cores and 16-threads and support for up to 16 GB of LPDDR4X 4266 MT/s memory, with a 1 TB PCIe 3.0 SSD and Wi-Fi 6E/BT 5.2 connectivity. One of the main design aspects of the Zenbook 14 OLED is a 180° ErgoLift hinge, which allows it to be laid out flat while providing power is a 75 Wh lithium-polymer battery.
The dimensions measure 313.6 x 220.6 x 16.9 mm (WxHxD) and weighs around 2.87 lb, making it a lightweight and slimline option for users on the go.
While ASUS offers multiple designs of its Zenbook 14 OLED, the AMD variant (UM3402) is only available in Jade Black. In terms of IO, the Zenbook 14 OLED includes two USB 3.2 G2 Type-C and one USB 3.2 G2 Type-A port, with one 3.5 mm audio combo jack, one HDMI 2.0 video output, and a microSD card reader. ASUS also includes a full-size ErgoSense keyboard with an integrated ErgoSense touchpad, which doubles up as a Numpad.
The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UM3402) will be available in Q2 2022, but ASUS hasn't provided us with pricing at this time.
Gallery: CES 2022: ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED With Latest AMD Barcelo APU


Source: ASUS

More...

Over the last couple of years since the emergence of AMD's Ryzen mobile and Radeon offerings, along with a significant uptick in performance over previous generations, some vendors have implemented complete AMD offerings to satisfy user demand. During CES 2022, ASUS unveiled its ROG Zephyrus G14 for 2022, which has the power of AMD's latest Ryzen 6000 series mobile processors and its Radeon RX 6000 series mobile graphics. It also comes with many other impressive design characteristics and features, making it one of the most attractive gaming laptops coming to market this year.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 series of gaming laptops have been revamped for 2022 with new features such as a 720p webcam with support for Windows Hello and ASUS's latest Nebula 14-inch display. Focusing on the IPS panel, it features support for 2560 x 1600 resolutions with a 16:10 aspect ratio, a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, an anti-glare display, a 120 Hz refresh rate, with a 3 ms response time. It's also Pantone validated, features a MUX switch for bypassing the integrated graphics for better overall performance, and supports Dolby Vision.

Focusing on the core specifications, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 features the latest AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS processor, which has an 8-core and 16-thread design, with a TDP of 35 W and a turbo frequency of 4.70 GHz. For graphics, it's available with either an AMD Radeon RX 6800S or RX 6700S, with AMD's SmartShift technology providing up to 105 W of GPU power and ASUS's Vapor Chamber cooling cools both the CPU and GPU with Thermal Grizzly liquid metal TIM. configurations
Other hardware includes up to 32 GB of DDR5-4800 SO-DIMM memory, with a single 1 TB PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 storage drive with the Windows 11 Home operating system preinstalled.

Looking at the design, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 2022 (GA402RK/GA402RJ) is available in either Moonlight White or Eclipse Gray. Design improvements include a slimmer 18.5 mm thickness, with a weight of up to 1.72 KG depending on whether it has an AniME Matrix display or not. Some configurations feature ASUS's upgraded AniME Matrix panel integrated into the lid, which now has more perforations and more and brighter LEDs than previous generations.

In terms of I/O, the ROG Zephyrus G14 has two USB 3.2 G2 Type-C both with DisplayPort functionality, and one featuring power delivery support, as well as two USB 3.2 G2 Type-A, one HDMI 2.0b video output, a microSD card reader, and a single 3.5 mm combined audio jack. Providing power is a 76 Wh 4-cell battery, with a 240 W AC adapter and 100 W Type-C charging support. ASUS also provides a ROG Sleeve in the accessories bundle and a ROG Chakram Core gaming mouse.
ASUS hasn't informed us on how much the ROG Zephyrus G14 will retail for, nor when it is expected to hit retail shelves.
Gallery: CES 2022: The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 For 2022, Powered By AMD


Source: ASUS



More...

MSI, along with other vendors has unveiled new motherboards for Intel's latest Alder Lake processors based on the more affordable H670, B660, and H610 chipsets. One of the most interesting MSI is the MAG B660 Tomahawk WIFI, which supports DDR4 memory, includes 2.5 GbE and Wi-Fi 6 networking, and provides plenty of USB 3.2 G2 connectivity on the rear panel.
Hailing from one of its most popular series of motherboards over the last couple of years, the Tomahawk typically offers users a decent feature set but at a more modest price point. The MAG B660 Tomahawk WIFI DDR4 is the latest in its 'arsenal' of MAG branded boards, with an all-black color scheme and an advertised 12+1+1-phase 'duet rail' power delivery. Providing power is a pair of 8-pin 12 V ATX CPU power inputs.

Focusing on memory, the MSI MAG B660 Tomahawk WIFI supports up to 128 GB of DDR4-4800 memory across four slots. For storage, it has a total of three M.2 slots, including one with support for PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2, one offering PCIe 4.0 x4 and SATA support, with a third slot supporting both PCIe 4.0 x2 and SATA based drives. Moving down to the lower portion of the board is the PCIe slots, with one full-length PCIe 4.0 x16, one full-length PCIe 3.0 x4, and one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot. Regarding SATA, there's a total of six ports, four powered by the chipset with support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 arrays, and two powered by an ASMedia ASM1061 SATA controller.

For a B660 motherboard, the Tomahawk WIFI DDR4 offers a decent amount of rear panel connectivity, including one USB 3.2 G2x2 Type-C, four USB 3.2 G2 Type-A, and four USB 2.0 ports. Powering five 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output is a Realtek ALC1220P HD audio codec, while MSI also provides a solid networking configuration consisting of a Realtek RTL8125B-CG 2.5 GbE controller and Intel-based Wi-FI 6 CNVi. Finishing off the rear panel is a pair of video outputs consisting of one HDMI 2.1 and one DisplayPort 1.4.
At the time of writing, the MSI MAG B660 Tomahawk WIFI DDR4 motherboard should start filtering into retail channels immediately, although US pricing is unknown at this point. However, we found it available to purchase at UK retailer CCL Computers at a reasonable price of £210.
Gallery: CES 2022: MSI Unveils MAG B660 Tomahawk WIFI DDR4 Motherboard


Source: MSI



More...

ZOTAC, one of the major players in the SFF PC market, has two different mini-PC families equipped with discrete GPUs. The larger (~5L) one is equipped with desktop-class GPUs, while the compact version (sub-3L) comes with laptop-class GPUs. At the 2022 CES, the company is updating the latter lineup with Tiger Lake and Ampere.
The new barebones system comes in ZOTAC’s regular 2.65-liter ZBOX MAGNUS EN chassis, which is just 62.2 mm (2.45 inches) tall. The ZBOX MAGNUS EN173080C barebones is based on Intel’s octa-core Core i7-11800H processor (8C/16T, 2.30 GHz – 4.60 GHz, 45 W) accompanied by NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 3080 notebook GPU with 16 GB of GDDR6 memory and a rated operating power of 150W. The system can be equipped with up to 64 GB of DDR4-3200 memory, and comes with two M.2 slots (one of which supports both PCIe and SATA SSDs). A slot is also available for a 2.5" SATA drive. The CPU and GPU are not user-upgradeable.

On the connectivity front, the system includes a Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5 WLAN card complemented by a dual external antennae, two RJ-45 ports (2.5G + 1G), five USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports (four in the rear, one in front), a Thunderbolt 4 port in the front, a SD card reader in the front, separate audio jacks for speakers and microphones in the front, and four display outputs in the rear (two HDMI and two DisplayPort).

ZOTAC ZBOX MAGNUS EN173080C
CPU		Intel Core i7-11800H 8C/16T 2.3 GHz - 4.6 GHz 24 MB 45 W
GPU		NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 (Notebook-class / 150W)
Memory		2 × DDR4 SO-DIMM slots up to 64 GB of DDR4-3200 memory
Storage	M.2	M.2 2230/42/80 slot for PCIe x4/SATA SSD M.2 2230/42/80 slot for PCIe x4 SSD
DFF	1 × 2.5" SSD/HDD
Card Reader	SD
Wireless		Killer 1650 802.11ax Wi-Fi + BT 5
Ethernet		1 × Gigabit Ethernet with RJ45 1 × 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet with RJ45
Display Outputs		2 × DisplayPort 1.4 2 × HDMI 2.0b 1 × USB-C (Thunderbolt 4)
Audio		3.5 mm audio-in 3.5 mm audio-out
USB		5 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A 1 x USB4 Type-C
Thunderbolt 4		Yes (on USB4 Type-C port)
PSU		External
OS		Barebones Model (No OS) Windows 11 Home pre-installed on W4B / W5B models
Additional Details		Link

In addition to the barebones version, ZOTAC is also planning to release EN173080C-W4B with Windows 11 Home pre-installed. This model comes with a 512GB M.2 SSD, a 1TB 2.5" SATA HDD, and a single 16GB DDR4 SO-DIMM stick.

The system is already listed on ZOTAC's website, so it is reasonable to expect it to become available shortly. As for pricing, while Zotac has not announced anything at this time.

More...

One of the key elements to how processor portfolios will evolve moving forward involves mixing and matching current generation and previous generation parts using the benefits of (supposedly) cheaper older processors taking advantage of economies of scale. It’s been no secret, for example, that below $300, AMD recommends its previous generation hardware on the desktop. On the Notebook however, along with the launch this week of next-generation hardware, AMD also launched updates to the previous generation under the heading of ‘Barcelo’.
These new 2022 Barcelo APUs are minor updates to the 2021 Cezanne APUs. They use the same Zen 3 cores, are built on the same TSMC 7nm process, have the same PCIe 3 and DDR4/LP4X support, and use the same socket. These are just refined for voltage, frequency, and power based on customer requests.

AMD Ryzen 5000 Mobile: U-Series
AnandTech	Cores Threads	Base Freq	Boost Freq	GPU Core	GPU Freq	TDP
2022 Barcelo
Ryzen 7 5825U	8C / 16T	2000	4500	8	1800	15W
Ryzen 5 5625U	6C / 12T	2300	4300	7	1600	15W
Ryzen 3 5425U	4C / 8T	2700	4100	6	1500	15W
2021 Lucienne
Ryzen 7 5800U	8C / 16T	1900	4400	8	2000	15W
Ryzen 5 5600U	6C / 12T	2300	4200	7	1800	15W
Ryzen 3 5400U	4C / 8T	2600	4000	6	1600	15W

For example, the new Ryzen 7 5825U is +100 MHz on base and turbo frequencies, but loses 200 MHz on graphics. Pretty much every processor is slightly increased on CPU, slightly regressed on GPU, and it looks like this is what AMD’s customers want.

The first laptop with a Barcelo processor that came across our inboxes is the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED. This is updated from the 2021 version, using the Ryzen 7 5825U with 16 GB of LPDDR4X-4266, 1 TB of PCIe 3.0 SSD, a 14-inch 2880x1800 display with 90 Hz and 100% DCI-P3, and HDR500 certification. It also comes with two USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C ports, a Type-A port, an audio combo jack, an HDMI 2.0 output, and microSD. The touchpad doubles as a number pad as well, and it comes with a 180º hinge and a 75 Wh battery. The Zenbook 14 OLED (UM3402) is due on market in Q2.
Gallery: AMD’s Barcelo: Zen 3 APU Refresh for 2022

More...

At CES 2022, ASRock has announced two premium and limited edition Z690 motherboards. The ASRock Z690 Aqua and Z690 Aqua OC motherboards both boast impressive specifications, including a custom monoblock cooling both the processor and power delivery, 10 GbE, 2 GbE, and Wi-Fi 6E networking, as well as dual Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports, eight SATA ports, and three PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots.
In 2019, ASRock debuted its highly premium yet expensive Aqua series through the ASRock X570 Aqua, which we reviewed. We also reviewed the ASRock Z490 Aqua, and our overall thoughts were that the Aqua was extremely 'cool' in both performance and aesthetics. Fast forward to 2022, and ASRock has launched two new Aqua series motherboards for Intel's Alder Lake, one for conventional users and one designed for extreme overclockers looking to maximize both compute and memory performance under sub-zero cooling.

The ASRock Z690 Aqua E-ATX motherboard

The ASRock Z690 Aqua has a 'wave' of features, including a large custom monoblock designed to cool both the processor and large advertised 19+1 phase power delivery using the latest premium 105 A power stages. It also includes stainless steel plating across the 12-layer E-ATX sized PCB, with plenty of integrated RGB lighting for users to host their own epic water-cooled discotheque. The ASRock Z690 Aqua also includes an OLED display, which can display many different forms of information from voltages, frequency and can be configured within the BIOS.
Dominating the lower portion of the board are two full-length PCIe 5.0 slots that can operate at x16 or x8/x8, one full-length PCIe 4.0 x4, and one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot, with three PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots that all include M.2 heatsink coverage. For SATA, there are eight ports in total, with four coming from the chipset with support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 arrays, while an ASMedia ASM1061 SATA controller powers the other four. As does most premium Z690 motherboards, the Z690 Aqua can support up to DDR5-6400 memory, with a combined capacity of 128 GB across four slots.

The ASRock Z690 Aqua OC E-ATX motherboard with two DDR5 memory slots and overclockers toolkit

The ASRock Z690 Aqua OC shares the same core feature set but has two memory slots with support for DDR5 memory. As many 'OC' branded boards do, this is to enhance memory performance when overclocking. ASRock also states that it includes an external clock generator to boost OC potential, as well as the exact premium 19+1 phase power delivery as the 'regular' Z690 Aqua. It also includes an overclocker's toolkit next to the memory slots for on-the-fly overclocking. However, both models have a power and rest button, with a two-digit LED debugger.

The ASRock Z690 Aqua rear panel (the Z690 Aqua OC drops two USB 3.2 G2 Type-A ports for a PS/2 port)

On the rear panel, the ASRock Z690 Aqua includes two Thunderbolt 4 Type-C with two DisplayPort 1.4 video inputs, two USB 3.2 G2 Type-A, and four USB 3.2 G1 Type-A ports. The ASRock Z690 Aqua OC has the same layout, except it drops two USB 3.2 G1 Type-A ports for a PS/2 keyboard and mouse combo port. Both models feature a Marvel Aquantial AQC113CS 10 GbE and Killer E3100 2.5 GbE controller pairing, as well as a Killer AX1675 Wi-Fi 6E CNVi. For users planning to use integrated graphics, there's a single HDMI 2.1 video output, as well as five 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output powered by a Realtek ALC1220 HD audio codec and ESS Sabre 9128 DAC. Finishing off the rear panel is a clear CMOS and BIOS Flashback button pairing.
Both the ASRock Z690 Aqua and Z690 Aqua OC will be limited to just 500 units each with its own unique production number. ASRock hasn't informed us of the expected availability or pricing, but we expect it to come with an eye-watering price tag.
Gallery: CES 2022: ASRock Z690 Aqua Motherboards


Source: ASRock



More...

During CES 2022, GIGABYTE unveiled many B660 and H610 motherboards designed for Intel's latest Alder Lake processors. Perhaps the most interesting and 'premium' of these is the GIGABYTE B660 Aorus Master and B660 Aorus Master DDR4 models, which include identical feature sets. The only difference is that one supports the latest DDR5 memory and the other DDR4. Other features include three M.2 slots, four SATA ports, 2.5 GbE networking, as well as a typical Aorus inspired gaming aesthetic.
As part of GIGABYTE's Aorus themed gaming series, the GIGABYTE B660 Aorus Master and the DDR4 version feature the same fundamental specifications and design. This includes a standard ATX-sized PCB, with a large black rear panel cover, with silver heatsinks covering the M.2 slots and chipset, as well as two zones of integrated RGB LED lighting.

The DDR5 version supports DDR5-5333 memory, while the DDR4 version boasts support for up to DDR4-6000 memory. Both models can accommodate up to 128 GB of their respective memory types across four memory slots.
Looking at the features of both GIGABYTE B660 Aorus Master models, they include one full-length PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, with two full-length PCIe 3.0 slots operating at x4/x1. Regarding storage, there is a total of three M.2 slots, including two with support for PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 drives and one with support for PCIe 3.0 x4 drives. There are also four SATA ports supporting RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 arrays.

On the rear panel of both B660 Aorus Master motherboards is one USB 3.2 G2x2 Type-C, one USB 3.2 G2 Type-A, four USB 3.2 G1 Type-A, and two USB 2.0 ports. Also on the rear panel are five 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output controlled by a Realtek ALC1220-VB HD audio codec. Looking at networking, an Intel I225-V 2.5 GbE controller is powering one Ethernet port, with an Intel Wi-Fi 6 CNVi that includes support for BT 5.2 devices.
GIGABYTE hasn't shared the expected pricing of its B660 Aorus Master motherboards, nor do we know when they might hit retail shelves.
Gallery: CES 2022: GIGABYTE Announces B660 Aorus Master Motherboards


Source: GIGABYTE

More...

One of the key aspects of AMD’s offering in the consumer desktop space is the longevity of its socket and platform. Throughout the years, AMD has leveraged a single socket for multiple generations, providing users the ability to keep the same motherboard year in and year out, while the competition changes the socket every couple of generations at best. To keep that mantra, AMD has stated that its next-generation platform coming later this year, AM5, will also be a multi-generational platform.
Going back in AMD’s history we can see just how long various platforms have lasted, from first processor launch to last processor launch:

• Socket 939 from 2004 to 2006
• AM2/2+ socket from 2006 to 2009
• AM3/3+ socket from 2009 to 2013
• FM2/2+ socket from 2012 to 2015
• AM4 socket from 2016 to 2021
• AM5 socket from 2021 to ...

Within that time there have been chipset updates to allow for better IO, however usually the socket change has happened because of DDR version changes, interconnect, and PCIe. In this instance, the move from AM4 to AM5 comes with a change from DDR4 to DDR5 and PCIe 4.0 to PCIe 5.0.

In a roundtable with Dr. Lisa Su, the question was asked about how long AM5 would be around – now that AMD has a sustainable position again in the desktop, and by many measures a leading position, would AMD continue its tradition of longer-lived desktop platforms. Dr. Su stated that AM4 ‘has been good for the community and … it’s been good for us as well’. She confirmed that a change was required with the new standards, but on strategy it was put that ‘I don’t have an exact number of years but I would say that you should expect that AM5 will be a long-lived platform as AM4 has been’. Dr. Su also stated that even with the introduction of AM5, the company expects AM4 to stay in the marketplace for some years, with overlap between the two depending on the market.
For users wondering how far AM5 can go before it needs to change again, it’s worth looking at roadmaps for the two usual elements that cause socket updates: memory and PCIe. We’re only just on the transition to DDR5, and DDR6 is a long way away – in a recent Samsung presentation, for example, it listed DDR6 as a 2028 technology. Similarly with PCIe 5.0, the same presentation puts PCIe 6.0 as a 2026 technology, and PCIe 7.0 as a 2029 technology. So unless AMD wants to increase the pin count on the CPUs for more memory channels or more PCIe lanes, the PCIe 5.0+DDR5 combination looks set until at least 2026.

More...