AMD extends Socket AM5 support through at least 2029; AM4 refuses to die

AM5 owners should expect at least one or two more all-new generations of Ryzen processors to be compatible with their boards, though it’s always possible that AMD could decide to “support” AM5 with additional permutations of previously released chips. In any case, CPUs based on the upcoming Zen 6 architecture should be supported, and these are said to boost the Ryzen chips’ maximum number of CPU cores from 16 to 24, a sizable bump for people running heavy multicore workloads.

For people with entry-level AM5 systems they’d like to upgrade, AMD also announced one new CPU today: the Ryzen 7 7700X3D is an 8-core 3D V-Cache chip that launches on July 16 for $329, around $50 less than the 7800X3D and $110 less than the current retail price for the 9800X3D. The chip’s clock speed maxes out at 4.5 GHz, quite a bit lower than the 7800X3D’s peak of 5 GHz. But games should still benefit from the extra 64MB of cache.

“A longer platform roadmap can reduce the need for full system replacements and gives PC builders more confidence when choosing AMD Ryzen processors, AM5 motherboards and compatible memory,” reads AMD’s press release. “Our dedication to Socket AM5 reflects the same long-term commitment we made to Socket AM4.”