AMD Zen 7 "Grimlock" Leak: 32 Cores, 7 GHz and 448 MB Cache on TSMC A14
Sunday, November 09, 2025AMD Zen 7 "Grimlock" Leak: 32 Cores, 7 GHz and 448 MB Cache on TSMC A14
AMD's next-next-gen desktop CPU architecture has leaked in full. Codenamed "Grimlock Ridge", Zen 7 will pack up to 32 cores, touch 7 GHz and deliver a whopping 448 MB of 3D V-Cache while staying on the AM5 socket. According to multiple downstream reports, the chips are taped out for TSMC's A14 node and are targeted for a 2028 desktop launch.
Two Chiplets – Silverton and Silverking
AMD will split Zen 7 into two CCD variants. Silverton is the full-fat 16-core die; Silverking is an 8-core cut-down version. Both will share the same IOD from Zen 6 ("Olympic Ridge"), which is how AMD maintains AM5 compatibility across three generations.
| Spec | Silverton (16-core) | Silverking (8-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Process Node | TSMC A14 | TSMC A14 |
| L2 Cache | 32 MB | 16 MB |
| L3 Cache | 64 MB | 32 MB |
| Max 3D V-Cache | 128 MB per CCD | N/A |
| Max Clock (rumored) | 7.0 GHz | TBD |
Performance Claims – Big Uplifts Over Zen 6
The leaks suggest Zen 7 will deliver a 15-30% single-threaded gain over Zen 6, while multi-threaded workloads could see a 50-67% uplift. In real terms, that puts a 32-core Grimlock part at up to 150% faster in multi-core than today's Zen 5 Ryzen 9 9950X. The IPC bump is pegged at 8%, but final silicon could push higher.
Cache Stacking – 448 MB Possible
A dual-Silverton configuration (32 cores total) could combine 64 MB L2, 128 MB L3 and 256 MB of 3D V-Cache for a total pool of 448 MB. That's nearly 3× the cache of a Ryzen 9 7950X3D and enough to fit entire game worlds on-die.
Mobile and Server Variants
Laptop chips will carry the "Grimlock Point" and "Grimlock Halo" badges, mixing Zen 7 and Zen 7c cores in 4+8 and 8+12 configurations. On the server side, EPYC "Verano" is planned for 2027 with up to 256 Zen 7 cores using a future node.
Release Timeline – 2027 for Server, 2028 for Desktop
AMD's roadmap shows EPYC "Verano" landing in 2027, while desktop Grimlock Ridge is targeted for 2028. The gap exists because TSMC's A14 node won't hit high-volume manufacturing until late 2027. AM5 motherboard owners will be able to drop in Zen 7 without a platform change.
Bottom Line
Zen 7 "Grimlock" looks like AMD's most ambitious architecture leap yet. With TSMC A14, 32 cores, potential 7 GHz clocks and nearly half a gigabyte of cache, it could finally push Intel off the performance throne—assuming the leaks hold and the process node delivers. For AM5 buyers, it's proof the socket has legs through 2028.
All data is based on leaks from multiple hardware-focused publications as of November 2025. AMD has not officially commented on Zen 7 specifications or release dates.