AMD’s Supposed 16 Core CPU Reportedly Clocks at 3.1/3.6 GHz

One of the more intriguing rumours making the rounds has been the supposed 16 core 32 thread AMD CPU. Based off of the new Zen architecture, it would feature 2 Ryzen 7 dies in an MCM package. It would also use an all-new HEDT platform with a new chipset, LGA socket and quad-channel DDR4 support. In what sure to be an exciting new rumour, engineering samples are reportedly floating around and we even have some clock speeds to reveal.

According to the new report, the massive CPU clocks in at 3.1 GHz base and 3.6 GHz boost courtesy of its generous 180W TDP. This places power consumption on the level of 2x R7 1700X CPUs while performance is similar to 2x R7 1700 CPUs. At these clock speeds, AMD would really be putting the pressure on Intel which tends to clock lower for similar configurations. This would make these Zen giants power gamers, not giving up much in order to become workstation behemoths at all.

Generally, higher core counts CPUs clock lower due to yield and density problems. By going with MCM, AMD can simply put together 2x Ryzen 7 dies, making yields a non-issue. The tradeoff, of course, is in lower peak multi-threaded performance if their interconnect cannot keep up. With rumours also circulating about a 12 core 24 thread variant as well, it looks like AMD will seize the workstation user who is also the occasional gamer as well.