AM4 and FM2+

[RmInUmZ]

It's probably a stupid question, but I'll ask it anyway.
So as everyone's aware, Zen architecture CPUs are nearly here and the stats are impressive so far, now the new socket for the desktop Zen is supposed to be AM4 right? Well they're also releasing new APU's based on Zen right? (A12 and A14 series if I remember right) Does this mean that Zen will also be featured on the FM2+ socket motherboards, or will they be based on AM4 instead?

I may be a little confused in this area so I apologise if anything I've said is incorrect in anyway.
It doesn't make sense to me to feature APU's A-series when they've dominantly been FM2 and moving them to AM4

 

[Ecky]

All Zen CPUs will be AM4. The first AM4 CPUs/APUs will not be Zen; early chips will be based on the same Excavator architecture that's already on FM2+. Don't expect Zen CPUs until early 2017, and Zen APUs until sometime late in 2017.

 

[COLGeek]

Every source I have read indicates that Zen will only be offered for AM4, not for the previous socket types.

 

[Ne0Wolf7]

No. They will also use AM4.
http://wccftech.com/amd-confirms-x86-zen-based-enthsiuast-fx-cpus-7th-generation-apus-2016-compatible-am4-socket/

 

[Hlsgsz]

Indeed, AMd is taking the opportunity to defragment it's offerings. One could say that it's a very smart move, but one would be wrong as it's actually just a no-brainer.

 

[Ecky]

Indeed, AMd is taking the opportunity to defragment it's offerings. One could say that it's a very smart move, but one would be wrong as it's actually just a no-brainer.

Depends. Putting AM1 CPUs onto AM4 probably wouldn't be a good idea. They only need single-channel memory and have greatly reduced I/O options, and so putting them on a platform that necessarily has much more expensive motherboards would destroy their value completely. AM4 boards will likely start at $50-60 for the most basic options, whereas current AM1 boards can be found for as little as $25 due to their much simpler design.

Likewise, Intel's 6- and 8-core CPUs would be bandwidth starved with only a dual channel memory controller, and they have no integrated video. Making them compatible with socket 1151 would drive up motherboard costs for every 1151 board due to the necessary doubling of memory and PCIe lanes, and making boards for them have useless video outputs.

I wonder if AMD's 8-core Zen CPUs will be severely bottlenecked from only having 2 memory channels...

 

[why_wolf]

AM4 only, all previous socket types are now end of life. AMD is taking this opportunity to end its crazy multi-socket portfolio and consolidate onto a single socket like Intel.

 

[Ecky]

AM4 only, all previous socket types are now end of life. AMD is taking this opportunity to end its crazy multi-socket portfolio and consolidate onto a single socket like Intel.

Intel technically has 3 "sockets", which is more than AMD. Their Atom CPUs are all soldered to their motherboards so you don't see that, and then there's 2011v3.

The reason it isn't as apparently is Intel has sufficiently fast desktop CPUs on their mainstream (1151) socket, while AM3+'s entire lineup is dated.

 

[Hlsgsz]

Indeed, AMd is taking the opportunity to defragment it's offerings. One could say that it's a very smart move, but one would be wrong as it's actually just a no-brainer.

Depends. Putting AM1 CPUs onto AM4 probably wouldn't be a good idea. They only need single-channel memory and have greatly reduced I/O options, and so putting them on a platform that necessarily has much more expensive motherboards would destroy their value completely. AM4 boards will likely start at $50-60 for the most basic options, whereas current AM1 boards can be found for as little as $25 due to their much simpler design.

Likewise, Intel's 6- and 8-core CPUs would be bandwidth starved with only a dual channel memory controller, and they have no integrated video. Making them compatible with socket 1151 would drive up motherboard costs for every 1151 board due to the necessary doubling of memory and PCIe lanes, and making boards for them have useless video outputs.

I wonder if AMD's 8-core Zen CPUs will be severely bottlenecked from only having 2 memory channels...

Right, i shoudl have said "defragment it's offerings as much as viable"