AMD released more detail of core technology it uses in Zen architecture, its latest x86 processor architecture. A significant increase in performance and higher energy efficiency will make Zen architecture the strong contender for Intel processors.
Zen core architecture will replace "Excavator" architecture, the previous version from AMD. Senior Fellow at AMD Mike Clark revealed the core processor and its features on Thursday at the Hot Chips 28 convention in Cupertino, California.
According to Digital Trends, the Zen architecture will have 40 percent more instructions per clock than the "Excavator" generation. Each of the core will have two threads and access to multiple cache: 8MB of shared L3 cache, a large amount of "private" L2 cache, and a micro-op cache.
Mike Clark also presented that Zen architecture has much higher power optimisation up to under 100 watts. Therefore, this architecture can be used for much wider range of products. This energy-efficiency can be achieved through a 14 nanometer FinFET process technology.
The FinFET process technology is proven to more efficient than previous 32 nm used in AMD FX and the 28 nm in AMD APU. Another highlight in the Zen is also its AES encryption units for security purpose.
In order to design and develop its new architecture, AMD hired back its top microprocessor engineer James Keller in 2012. Keller was assigned to design and develop Zen architecture from scratch.
For that reason, the Sunnyvale based company call Zen architecture as "clean sheet" design as Tech Times reported. AMD aims to boost performance per clock, while cutting the energy required for each cycle in designing the architecture.
The first CPU to be built based on this architecture are Summit Ridge series, which are expected to be available in the market at the second half of 2017. Summit Ridge will use AM4 socket and DDR4 support with 95 watts thermal design power (TDP).
Zen architecture and its low-power consumption and high performance has brought AMD back as a top contender in the field of x86 architecture. AMD is now once again toe to toe with Intel in the battle of low-power consumption CPU.
