In a recent interview with Gamers Nexus on YouTube, AMD confirmed some exciting developments in their Ryzen 5000 processors. The company has been working on prototypes of these CPUs with 3D V-Cache and up to 16 cores. This is noteworthy because only the octa-core model was available when the technology was initially introduced, leaving users wondering if higher core count options would ever be released.
The stacked cache technology was initially intended exclusively for data centers, but AMD accidentally brought it to the Ryzen family. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D, launched in March 2022, demonstrated the significant benefits of additional cache in processors for gaming performance. By stacking cache on top of the CPU, the L3 cache was increased from 32 MB to an impressive 96 MB, outperforming Intel’s Core i9 12900K in specific gaming titles.
Interestingly, AMD’s 3D V-Cache journey started with leftover chips during manufacturing, which couldn’t be used in EPYC CPUs. The development team decided to experiment with these chipsets, creating Ryzen processors with varying core counts and additional memory for gamers. The positive results led to the Ryzen 7 5800X3D’s success.
In the interview, AMD engineers showcased two Ryzen 9 prototypes with 12 and 16 cores, featuring the stacked cache technology, bringing the total cache to 192 MB in Windows. While these prototypes were fully functional, AMD’s decision to limit the Ryzen 5000X3D series to the 5800X3D model remains a mystery.
AMD made an impressive comeback this year by announcing the Ryzen 9 7900X3D and 7950X3D, powered by the cutting-edge Zen 4 cores. These CPUs are attractive options for professionals who benefit from the additional cache and higher core count while also enjoying gaming in their free time.
However, the gains from adding more cores are somewhat modest due to the separation of cores into two chipsets. The penalty of fetching information from the farthest cache can nullify the advantages of additional memory. This may have affected the decision to cancel the Ryzen 9 5900X3D and 5950X3D models.
Overall, AMD’s architectural advancements show promise, and with future developments, we can expect even fewer losses in situations like these. It’s an exciting time for CPU technology, and AMD continues to push the boundaries with its innovative designs.
