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AMD Zen 6: Latest News, Rumors, and Leaks on the Next-Gen Ryzen CPUs

6/18/2025

AMD Zen 6: Latest News, Rumors, and Leaks on the Next-Gen Ryzen CPUs

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June 18, 2025 — AMD’s Zen 6 architecture is shaping up to be a game-changer for desktop, server, and mobile processors, with leaks and official announcements pointing to significant performance leaps, higher core counts, and cutting-edge technology. Expected to debut in 2026, Zen 6 will power the Ryzen 10000 series, EPYC Venice CPUs, and Medusa Point APUs, promising to challenge Intel’s Nova Lake-S and dominate gaming, enterprise, and AI workloads. Here’s everything we know about Zen 6 based on the latest news, rumors, and leaks as of June 18, 2025.

Zen 6 Desktop CPUs: More Cores, Bigger Cache

Zen 6 desktop processors, likely branded as Ryzen 10000, are set to retain compatibility with the AM5 socket, ensuring upgrade paths for current Ryzen 9000 users. Leaks suggest a major boost in core counts, with each Core Complex Die (CCD) packing up to 12 cores, a 50% increase over Zen 5’s 8-core CCDs. This could enable flagship models with up to 24 cores and 48 threads in a dual-CCD configuration, compared to the Ryzen 9 9950X’s 16 cores. Additionally, L3 cache per CCD is rumored to jump to 48MB, a 50% increase, with X3D variants potentially offering 144MB for gaming dominance.

The increased cache and core count, combined with TSMC’s 2nm process node, should deliver a 27–30% per-core performance uplift over Zen 5, making Zen 6 a beast for gaming and productivity. Preliminary support in AIDA64’s beta (version 7.99.7801) hints at a possible Computex 2026 reveal, with a late 2026 or early 2027 launch.

EPYC Venice: Server Powerhouse with 256 Cores

AMD has officially confirmed its Zen 6-based EPYC Venice CPUs, set to launch in 2026, targeting data centers with unprecedented scale. Venice will come in two flavors: a standard Zen 6 variant with up to 96 cores and 192 threads (using 8 CCDs) and a denser Zen 6C variant scaling to 256 cores and 512 threads. This represents a massive leap over Zen 5’s EPYC 9005 series, driven by a dual IO Die (IOD) setup for Venice, a shift from the single IOD in prior generations.

Venice will support PCIe 6.0, doubling bandwidth over PCIe 5.0, and offer 1.6TB/s memory bandwidth via faster DDR5 and new memory types like MR-DIMM and MCR-DIMM. The SP7 platform will prioritize memory channels for bandwidth-heavy workloads, while SP8 targets entry-level servers. These advancements, built on TSMC’s 2nm node, promise up to 70% generational performance gains, positioning Venice as a leader in AI and enterprise computing.

Medusa Point APUs: Up to 22 Cores for Laptops

Zen 6 will also power Medusa Point APUs for laptops, succeeding the Zen 5-based Strix Point. Leaks suggest high-end models could feature up to 22 cores in a multi-chip module (MCM) design: a 12-core Zen 6 CCD, four standard Zen 6 cores, four dense Zen 6C cores, and two low-power (LP) cores. This hybrid approach, paired with TSMC’s 2nm process, aims to balance performance and efficiency for gaming and productivity laptops. Medusa Point is expected to use the FP10 socket and may not arrive until early 2027, following a Gorgon Point refresh in 2026.

Rumors also point to enhanced integrated graphics, potentially based on RDNA 4 or early RDNA 5, making these APUs a compelling choice for thin-and-light gaming systems without discrete GPUs.

Gaming Performance: X3D to Shine Again

AMD’s 3D V-Cache technology, a hit with gamers in the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and 9800X3D, will continue with Zen 6. Leaks indicate X3D variants could stack multiple cache layers, potentially reaching 144MB per CCD, a massive boost for gaming performance. This aligns with AMD’s history of leveraging large L3 cache for transformative gaming gains, as seen in Zen 2 and Zen 3. A rumored Ryzen 7 10800X3D could outperform the 9800X3D, retaining AMD’s gaming crown against Intel’s Nova Lake-S, which boasts 52 cores but lacks X3D-like cache optimizations.

Manufacturing and Efficiency

Zen 6 will leverage TSMC’s 2nm N2X process for desktop and server chips, promising higher clock speeds (potentially exceeding 6GHz) and improved power efficiency. The denser node should reduce power draw compared to Zen 5’s 3nm process, though exact TDPs remain unconfirmed. For desktops, faster DDR5 support is expected, with speculation about DDR6 adoption by late 2026, given Zen 5’s memory bottlenecks and the need for higher bandwidth to feed 12-core CCDs.

Competitive Landscape: Taking on Intel’s Nova Lake

Zen 6 is poised to go head-to-head with Intel’s Nova Lake-S, rumored to feature up to 52 cores (16 P-cores, 32 E-cores, 4 LPE-cores) and DDR5-8000 support. While Intel’s core count is impressive, AMD’s focus on cache and per-core performance could give Zen 6 an edge in gaming and single-threaded tasks. However, Nova Lake’s new LGA1954 socket may appeal to enthusiasts seeking future-proofing, whereas Zen 6’s AM5 compatibility benefits existing AMD users. The server battle will be fierce, with EPYC Venice’s 256-core Zen 6C variant outmuscling Intel’s Diamond Rapids CPUs.

What’s Next for Zen 6?

While AMD has confirmed Zen 6 for EPYC Venice in 2026, desktop and mobile details remain speculative, driven by leaks from sources like Moore’s Law Is Dead and @9550pro on X. Key questions include:

  • Gaming Dominance: Will X3D variants with 144MB cache redefine PC gaming?
  • Launch Timing: Can AMD hit a late 2026 launch for Ryzen 10000, or will delays push to 2027?
  • Memory Support: Will Zen 6 adopt DDR6 to address bandwidth needs?

With AIDA64 support and Computex 2026 on the horizon, AMD is laying the groundwork for a major reveal. Posts on X suggest strong community excitement, particularly for X3D gaming chips.

Why It Matters

Zen 6 represents AMD’s bold push to maintain its lead in gaming and expand its dominance in servers and mobile. With up to 256 cores for EPYC, 24 cores for desktops, and 22 cores for APUs, plus massive cache and PCIe 6.0, Zen 6 could redefine performance across markets. For gamers, the promise of a next-gen X3D chip is tantalizing, while server operators and laptop users stand to gain from unparalleled scalability and efficiency. As Intel’s Nova Lake looms, Zen 6 is AMD’s bet to stay ahead.

Join the Conversation

Are you excited for Zen 6’s potential in gaming or server workloads? Will AMD’s X3D chips keep Intel at bay? Share your thoughts and stay tuned for updates as AMD’s next-gen CPUs draw closer!