AMD is already gearing up for Zen 7 processors, two generations beyond the upcoming Zen 5 CPUs. It’s quite surprising to hear about a processor family that far into the future, but AMD is likely in the very early design stages for Zen 7 (perhaps just rough sketches at this point).
This news came from AMD’s CTO, Mark Papermaster, during the Zen 5 Tech Day event, as highlighted by VideoCardz. Papermaster also confirmed that Zen 6 will follow the Ryzen 9000 series (Zen 5) for the first time publicly.
Unfortunately, no timeline has been provided for the release of Zen 6 processors, and Zen 7 is still a long way off.
Latest on Zen 5
The Zen 5 Tech Day was primarily focused on Zen 5, and we learned some interesting details about the Ryzen 9000 CPUs, set to debut with four initial models. Key highlights include:
- Release Date: Confirmed for July 31.
- Overclocking Feature: A new overclocking capability for Zen 5.
- Performance: Positive news about the performance of the Ryzen 9700X.
Based on AMD’s usual release schedule, Zen 6 processors, following the Ryzen 9000 series, will likely arrive in mid-2026, possibly late Q2. Therefore, Zen 7 might be expected in early Q2 2028. This means AMD is already working on the CPUs that will power PCs by the end of the decade, just before Zen 8 is expected to launch.
Another crucial update is about the AM5 chipset. AMD confirmed it will be supported until at least 2027 or beyond. This means if you purchase a new AMD (AM5) motherboard now, it will be compatible with Ryzen 7000, 9000, and Zen 6 CPUs. However, Zen 7 might require a new CPU socket, necessitating a new motherboard to utilize the Zen 7 processors.
Overall, AMD is making significant strides in future-proofing their CPU lineup, ensuring long-term support and continual innovation in processor technology.
