AMD’s EPYC server processor series may soon be expanded with new members, but this time the novelties may not be found in the socket SP5 used in the server market, but in the consumer market Socket AM5 processor socket, because AMD is opening up to special market segments where Intel is already present with its offer. In practice, the EPYC 4004 server processors that fit into the Socket AM5 processor socket are aimed at the segment of small business servers and small, dedicated servers that can be used for data center purposes, which basically only have RYZEN series processors at their disposal.
Thanks to the new series, AMD can also serve new market areas, so it can essentially compete with Intel’s Xeon E2400 series, whose members fit into the LGA-1700 processor socket, which is also used in the consumer market. The Intel processors in question essentially serve the same segments that AMD also wants to target with the members of the EPYC 4004 series.
The new processors are expected to be built around the usual Raphael chip, which may already be familiar from the RYZEN 7000 and RYZEN Pro 7000 families. The real difference compared to these will be that the new products can also support the memory capacities typical of the server market, they will not only have an ECC function, like the members of the RYZEN Pro 7000 family. At the same time, the new EPYC models will be able to challenge the server market in terms of software and hardware support.
Accordingly, in terms of cores, the number of cores will range from 6 to 16, and all processor cores can rely on the ZEN 4 architecture. According to the plans, the memory controllers located in the I/O department can be prepared to support the memory capacities typical of the server market, and the existence of ECC support will also be the default. It is not yet clear whether the new processors will eventually be made into models equipped with 3D V-Cache technology, which can provide higher performance during certain workflows thanks to the extra L3 Cache. In theory, it is also possible that for the versions using two CCDs, i.e. the server market alternatives of the RYZEN 9 7900X3D and RYZEN 9 7950X3D, not only one CCD, but even both, will be equipped with a 3D V-Cache type cache, which would raise the performance to a new level .
The use of the Socket AM5 processor socket in the server market may seem strange at first, but there are already motherboards available that have been specially designed by their manufacturer to meet the needs of the server market. This includes Advantech’s products, which come with I/O used in the server market and can actually even accept members of the EPYC 4004 series in the future.
