AMD May Introduce Budget Athlon and Ryzen 3 CPUs for AM5: 7nm and Sub-$100 Prices

AMD is reportedly gearing up to launch budget-friendly Athlon or Ryzen 3 CPUs specifically designed for its new AM5 platform, targeting DIY PC builders. Let’s delve into the details.

The AM5 Platform and Budget CPUs

The Athlon series has seen limited action on the AM5 platform, and even the AM4 platform only witnessed the refreshed 3000G last year for DIY consumers. The Athlon brand primarily caters to entry-level CPU needs, appealing to users who either don’t require the high processing power of Ryzen CPUs or have budget constraints.

According to a report from Bits & Chips, AMD is now preparing a new lineup of CPUs aimed at the AM5 platform, with a focus on budget-conscious DIY builders. These CPUs are expected to be produced using TSMC’s 7nm process node and priced below $100 US.

Process Technology and Cost Savings

The current AMD Ryzen 7000 Desktop CPUs, based on the Zen 4 core architecture, utilize 5nm process technology and feature a 6nm IO die. In contrast, the upcoming Ryzen 9000 CPUs with Zen 5 cores will be based on a 4nm process technology, still using the same 6nm IO die. The decision to build these budget CPUs on a 7nm process die suggests a potential porting of the Zen 4 architecture to an older node, allowing for significant cost savings. This, in turn, could lead to lower prices for consumers. Additionally, 7nm is a mature node, making mass production of budget chips faster and more efficient.

Core Configurations and Die Considerations

Given the core configurations, AMD’s current Ryzen 7000 CPUs and upcoming Ryzen 9000 CPUs both bottom out at 6 cores. For the budget Athlon or Ryzen 3 chips, we might expect 2-4 cores for Athlon and at least 4 cores for Ryzen 3. However, the cost-effectiveness of producing these CPUs on 7nm could potentially lead to 6-core variants, albeit with slightly slower clocks. The report clarifies that there won’t be a completely new die; rather, the internals of the die should align with the Zen 4 core architecture.

Implications and Upgrades

The introduction of entry-level Athlon and Ryzen 3 CPUs for AM5 will likely encourage users to migrate to the newer platform. AMD is also gearing up to launch new mainstream and low-end chipsets within its 800-series family, further enticing users to upgrade. These CPUs will mark the retirement of the AM4 platform, which has served the market for 8 years. Additionally, AMD is set to unveil two brand-new Ryzen 5000 CPUs for AM4 platforms this month: the Ryzen 9 5900XT and the Ryzen 7 5800XT.