PGC NEWS

At the AMD Accelerated Data Center event, CEO Lisa Su unveiled the company’s ambitious Zen 4 CPU roadmap, showcasing the upcoming 96-core Genoa and 128-core Bergamo processors. These next-generation EPYC CPUs promise significant performance and efficiency gains, targeting diverse workloads from high-performance computing (HPC) to cloud-native applications.

AMD Zen 4 Roadmap

TSMC 5nm Process Technology: A Foundation for Performance

AMD highlighted the advanced TSMC 5nm process node underpinning both Genoa and Bergamo. This cutting-edge technology delivers double the density and power efficiency compared to the 7nm process used in current-generation EPYC processors, while also boosting performance by 1.25x. This translates to more cores, higher clock speeds, and improved energy efficiency for data center workloads.

Genoa: 96 Cores of High-Performance Computing Power

The 96-core Genoa processor, slated for release in 2022, will leverage the 5nm process and feature the high-performance Zen 4 core architecture. Genoa also introduces support for next-generation DDR5 memory and PCIe 5.0, along with the CXL 1.1 interface for enhanced memory coherency between devices. This combination of advancements will address the demanding needs of HPC, enterprise, cloud, and general-purpose data center workloads. AMD anticipates Genoa will deliver substantial gains in both per-core and socket-level (multi-threaded) performance.

Bergamo: 128 Cores Optimized for Cloud-Native Applications

Arriving in the first half of 2023, Bergamo boasts an impressive 128 cores based on the new “Zen 4c” architecture. The “c” designation signifies optimization for cloud-native workloads. While sharing the same socket and instruction set as Genoa, Bergamo’s Zen 4c cores are designed to maximize core density and efficiency for cloud environments.

Zen 4c Cores for Cloud Workloads

Zen 4c: A Specialized Core for Cloud Density

The Zen 4c cores in Bergamo represent a specialized approach to cloud computing. While potentially smaller than the standard Zen 4 cores found in Genoa, they feature a density-optimized cache hierarchy, allowing for a higher core count within the same power envelope. This addresses the increasing demand for high thread density in cloud applications. While specific details on cache configuration remain undisclosed, AMD expects Bergamo to deliver significant performance and power efficiency improvements per socket.

Feature Parity and Ecosystem Compatibility

Both Genoa and Bergamo share a common platform, supporting DDR5, PCIe 5.0, and CXL 1.1. This ensures seamless integration and compatibility within existing data center infrastructures. The shared socket allows for easy interchangeability between Genoa and Bergamo processors, providing flexibility for different workload requirements.

Conclusion: A Powerful Future for Data Centers

AMD’s Zen 4 roadmap, with Genoa and Bergamo at the forefront, promises a significant leap forward in data center performance and efficiency. The combination of the advanced 5nm process, innovative core architectures, and next-generation I/O and memory technologies positions AMD to address the evolving needs of diverse workloads, from HPC to cloud-native applications. The arrival of these processors in 2022 and 2023 marks an exciting development for the future of data center computing.