Key Takeaways
1. The upcoming AMD Zen 6 CPUs, including the “Magnus” APU, feature innovative designs like 12-core CCDs and dual-layer 3D V-Cache.
2. The “Magnus” Zen 6 APU consists of 3 Zen 6 cores and 8 Zen 6c cores, totaling 11 cores, and is built on TSMC’s 3 nm technology with 12 MB of L3 cache.
3. The APU’s large Graphics Die measures 264 mm² and includes a 384-bit wide bus for enhanced memory bandwidth, targeting high-performance gaming.
4. Speculation exists on whether the Magnus APU will be used in the next PlayStation or Xbox, with differing opinions on its cost-effectiveness for each console.
5. The hardware associated with the Zen 6 Magnus APU is expected to be expensive, indicating that future consoles like the PS6 or next Xbox may have a high price point.
There has been an overflow of leaks and speculation surrounding the design and specifications of AMD’s upcoming Zen 6 CPUs. A lot of this intel, such as details about 12-core CCDs, dual-layer 3D V-Cache, and remarkable clock speeds, is thanks to Moore’s Law Is Dead. Recently, the leaker shared a fresh video that reveals even more insights about Zen 6, including a thrilling new Zen 6 APU known as “Magnus.”
Focus on the Magnus APU
The entire video is certainly worth a watch (linked below), but we’re zeroing in on the “Magnus” Zen 6 APU. There’s a good chance this uniquely designed APU may find its way into next-generation gaming consoles.
From a diagram presented by MLID in the video, the Zen 6 APU, codenamed “Magnus”, is said to have 3 Zen 6 cores and 8 Zen 6c cores, totaling an unusual 11 CPU cores. The System on Chip (SoC) that holds these cores is reported to be a sizable 144 mm², produced using the TSMC 3 nm technology, and includes 12 MB of L3 cache.
Technical Specifications
Allegedly, the SoC die connects to the Graphics Die via a “Bridge Die.” The Graphics Die appears to be a massive 264 mm². The integrated GPU (iGPU) in this Zen 6 APU boasts a 384-bit wide bus. This aspect is crucial, as memory bandwidth often poses a significant limitation for iGPUs designed for gaming.
With both the SoC and Graphics chiplets being quite large and a memory bus wider than Strix Halo’s 256-bit, it’s clear that the Magnus APU isn’t aimed at budget-friendly setups. MLID theorizes that, given the codename and other hints, the Zen 6 Magnus APU could potentially serve as the APU for the PS6. It’s already known that Sony is collaborating with AMD to develop the PS6’s custom APU, making a large iGPU a logical choice.
Speculations about Console Compatibility
Nonetheless, leaker Kepler_L2 disagrees on X, suggesting that “Magnus” doesn’t align with Sony’s typical codenames, hinting that this APU may be intended for the next Xbox instead. This leaker also points out that “the design overall looks too pricey to be the PS6 too. Cerny tends to be more cautious with die size.”
If we consider that the next Xbox will operate on Windows and that Microsoft is working on multiple Xbox models, a high-end Xbox featuring the Zen 6 Magnus APU makes sense. Kepler_L2 predicts that with “>400mm² of N3P (or perhaps even N3P+N2P?) plus likely 36GB of GDDR7,” the upcoming Xbox could surpass $1,500.
Regardless of which next-gen console incorporates the Zen 6 Magnus APU, one thing is clear: the hardware isn’t going to come cheap. So, if you’re already frustrated with the pricing of existing consoles like the PS5 Pro, brace yourself for the PS6 or the next Xbox, which may be even pricier.
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