We're waiting patiently for AMD's next batch of 2nd Generation Ryzen CPUs, but we might now know what its next plans are thanks to motherboard manufacturer ASRock leaking the names and specifications of four unknown new models.
AMD has released four CPUs so far this year, excluding its two Vega graphics-equipped APUs of course. These were the 8-core Ryzen 7 2700X and 2700 plus the 6-core Ryzen 5 2600X and 2600. With AMD's Senior Vice President and General Manager Jim Anderson having confirmed to me earlier this year that we can expect a similar CPU lineup with 2nd Generation Ryzen, this means that we can expect more Ryzen 5 and of course Ryzen 3 CPUs to come.
The next launch seems a little closer today as motherboard manufacturer ASRock's leaked details show four previously unknown CPUs. Firstly, there's the Ryzen 3 2300X, which will replace the Ryzen 3 1300X. However, I'm a little skeptical of the base frequency stated in the leaked information because at 3.5GHz it's identical to the older CPU, whereas every 2nd Generation Ryzen CPU has seen frequencies increase practically across the entire range. Sadly we don't know the maximum boost frequency - something that will give much more of an insight into its performance.
The next launch seems a little closer today as motherboard manufacturer ASRock has apparently leaked details of four previously unknown CPUs, which were spotted by The Tech Report. Firstly, there's the Ryzen 3 2300X, which will replace the Ryzen 3 1300X. However, I'm a little skeptical of the base frequency stated in the leaked information because at 3.5GHz it's identical to the older CPU, whereas every 2nd Generation Ryzen CPU has seen frequencies increase practically across the entire range. Sadly we don't know the maximum boost frequency - something that will give much more of an insight into its performance.
Next is the Ryzen 5 2500X and here there's been a 100MHz uplift to the base frequency from 3.5GHz to 3.6GHz compared to the Ryzen 5 1500X. Then we have two surprise CPUs. Starting with the Ryzen 5 2600E, this would mean 2nd Generation Ryzen 5 CPUs would sport five models this time around and the 2600E appears to be a super energy-efficient model too, with presumably 6-cores like the others in the 2600-series range, but with a TDP of just 45W. That's 20W less than Intel's similar Core i5-8400.
The second surprise is a similar energy-efficient model, this time mixing it up with the two 8-core Ryzen 7 CPUs already launched - The Ryzen 7 2700E. We'd all assumed that we'd seen all of AMD's Ryzen 7 launched this year, but if the leaked information proved true, there's one final addition to come. However, it has a base frequency of just 2.8GHz, which is 400MHz lower than the Ryzen 7 2700 and actually 200MHz slower than the Ryzen 7 1700 too. However, at just 45W it undercuts the older CPU by a massive 20W.
We're not halfway through AMD's expected plans for 2018 when it comes CPU launches as I'm still expecting more Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 3 CPUs as well as second generation Threadripper high-end desktop CPUs too. So be sure to follow me at the usual outlets below for more PC hardware news.
