- Oct 22, 2004
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With the latest rumour that EPYC 2 will use eight 8-core dies, it seems likely that the upcoming Ryzen 3000 series will be using one of those dies, and that we'll still have a maximum of 8 cores in the mainstream desktop segment next year.
Perhaps 8 cores on the mainstream platform will remain with us for a long time and — along with memory bandwidth and connectivity (PCI-lanes, etc) — define the divide between mainstream and HEDT.
Now consider:
Perhaps 8 cores on the mainstream platform will remain with us for a long time and — along with memory bandwidth and connectivity (PCI-lanes, etc) — define the divide between mainstream and HEDT.
Now consider:
- Clock frequency is no longer increasing much.
- Current frequency and core count in the mainstream desktop segment are more than enough for typical PC usage and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.
- Manufacturing processes are getting more expensive and longer lasting, so Intel and AMD are not keen on selling big pieces of silicon at low margin where it is not needed.
- Arguably, more than 8 cores need more than dual-channel memory bandwidth, and hence a more costly system architecture (motherboard).
- The minority that really need more performance is well served by the HEDT (high-end desktop) segment, which provides the needed bandwidth, connectivity and advanced features.
- With AMD's entry into the segment, HEDT pricing is rapidly coming down.
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