Rumor: AMD Epyc 2 processors consist of nine dies

AMD’s next-generation server processors may consist of nine dies. It would concern eight cpu-dies that are made at 7nm and one system controller that is made at 14nm. The current Epyc CPUs consist of four dies.

The first generation Epyc CPUs are available with up to 32 cores. For the next generation, AMD is expected to make the switch to 64 cores. According to a rumor, the manufacturer will do this by using more dies, all of which are connected to one so-called system controller. That chip would be an evolution or improvement of the Infinity Fabric, which connects the CPU cores of current AMD processors.

ComputerBase writes about the possible design of the Epyc 2 processors, using information from SemiAccurate and sketches an engineer has posted on Twitter. In his own words, those sketches are his interpretation of how AMD can build the upcoming server processors.

Because AMD is switching to the 7nm process for its Epyc 2 processors, more dies fit on the same surface. The new processors thus remain compatible with the current SP3 socket used for the first Epyc generation.

According to the rumor, only the cpu-dies are made at 7nm. Like the current dies, they would contain eight cores. AMD could make variants from 8 to 64 cores with this design. Placing a chip in the middle that connects to all cpu-dies could provide less latency than with the current design where the ccx’s are interconnected via the Infinity Fabric.

AMD hasn’t officially released many details about the Epyc 2 server processors yet. The manufacturer has said that the processors are made on TSMC’s 7nm process and that they will be on the market next year.

Pictures via engineer KH Chia