AMD Ryzen CPU Release Will Include 6-Core Model with Top Speed of 3.7GHz, 8-Core with Turbo Clock of 4.0GHz?

AMD has confirmed that the Ryzen CPU release date will happen in early March this year and the product introduction is likely to coincide with the GDC 2017 that kicks off February 27. And rumors have it that the Summit Ridge chips will not come in 6-core SKU which a new report contradicted. It appears that there will be 4-core, 6-core and 8-core Zen-based processors to rival Intel's Core i3, i5 and i7 chips.

Belying the claims that AMD is leaving the mid-range chip segment for Intel to rule, WCCFTech reported that the Ryzen chips are confirmed to come out with multi-core configurations and the package include a 6-core variant. "The AMD Ryzen 6 core model is real and comes with SMT enabled which makes up 12 threads. The chip has the "ZD3301BBM6IF4_37/33_Y" codename and just like the 8-core model, is a close to final version," the report said.

It is understood that the same 6-core/12-thread Ryzen chip is an engineering sample that has a base clock of 3.3GHz with overclocking capability of up to 3.7GHz. But with the help of high-end cooling equipment the Zen SR CPU is able to deliver beyond its threshold speed, the same report suggested, adding that ZD3301BBM6IF4_37/33_Y is only a base model and AMD is likely to unleash 6-core Ryzen chips with beefed up capabilities.

In the same report, WCCFTech also revealed the existence of Summit Ridge chips with the following codenames - "1D3601A2M88F3_39/36_N" and "ZD3601BAM88F4_40/36_Y" - but it is the latter that piques the most interest as the 8-core/16-thread chip packs a base clock of 3.6GHz with official overclocking support of up to 4.0GHz. And like its 6-core sibling, the 8-core Ryzen chip is likely to perform more than expectations in terms of clock speed, again with the use of premium air and water cooling solutions.

As previously indicated by AMD, all the Ryzen CPUs will be multiplier unlocked so overclocking feature will come native with the SR3, SR5 and SR7 processors. The company also assured that the same turbo boosting feature will be supported from Day One as AM4 motherboards and cooling accessories will be made available simultaneous with the launch.

AMD CEO Lisa Su, according to Forbes, has confirmed that release date of the Zen SR3, SR5, SR7 CPUs will happen in the first week of March, likely in the immediate aftermath of the GDC 2017, with the sticker starting from $149 for the entry-level SR3 and going up to $720 for the flagship SR7 Black Edition.