AMD unveils 2018 roadmap; 12nm Zen+, 7nm Vega, and Vega-powered Ryzen APUs

AMD had a great showing in 2017. With the release of the likes Ryzen, they have been placed back in the hearts of the PC enthusiasts. It seems that AMD won’t be stopping their momentum anytime soon as their 2018 roadmap has just been made public during its Tech Day in CES 2018.

AMD is expected to release several products this year, which include:

• Ryzen 3 Mobile APUs
• Ryzen Desktop APUs
• Second Generation Ryzen Desktop Processors (also known as Zen+)
• Ryzen Pro Mobile APUs
• Second Generation Threadripper Processors
• Second Generation Ryzen Pro Desktop Processors

Here are all the updates that AMD has announced in its Tech Day in CES 2018:

Technology Updates

AMD CTO and SVP Mark Papermaster shared updates on AMD’s process technology roadmaps for both x86 processors and graphics architectures.

• x86 Processors
  • The “Zen” core, currently shipping in Ryzen desktop and mobile processors, is in production at both 14nm and 12nm, with 12nm samples now shipping.
  • The “Zen 2” design is complete and will improve on the award-winning “Zen” design in multiple dimensions.
• Graphics Processors
  • Expanding the “Vega” product family in 2018 with the Radeon Vega Mobile GPU for ultrathin notebooks.
  • The first 7nm AMD product, a “Vega” based GPU built specifically for machine learning applications.

• • A production-level machine learning software environment with AMD’s MIOpen libraries supporting common machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow and Caffe on the ROCm Open eCosystem platform. The industry’s first fully open heterogeneous software environment, which is making it easier to program using AMD GPUs for high performance compute and deep learning environments.

Client Compute Updates

AMD SVP and General Manager, Computing and Graphics Business Group Jim Anderson detailed upcoming AMD client compute processors including:

• The Ryzen desktop processor with Radeon graphics
  • Desktop Ryzen APUs combine the latest “Zen” core and AMD Radeon graphics engine based on the advanced “Vega” architecture, bringing:
    • The highest performance graphics engine in a desktop processor
    • Advanced quad core performance with up to 8 processing threads
    • 1080p HD+ gaming performance without a discrete graphics card
    • Beautiful display features with Radeon FreeSync technology
    • Full benefit of Radeon software driver features including Radeon Chill, Enhanced Sync and Radeon ReLive
  • Planned to be available starting February 12, 2018.

Ryzen Desktop Processors with Radeon Vega Graphics:

• 2^nd generation Ryzen desktop CPU
  • AMD’s first 12nm based processor with Precision Boost 2 technology.
  • Scheduled for introduction April 2018.

• Ryzen PRO Mobile Processors with Radeon Vega Graphics
  • Targeted for commercial, enterprise, and public sector implementation, Ryzen PRO mobile processors are designed to power sleek and powerful enterprise notebooks featuring the world’s fastest processor for commercial ultrathin notebooks, state-of-the-art silicon-level security, and reliable solutions with enterprise-class support and product stack top-to-bottom DASH manageability.
    • Up to 22% more competitive productivity performance
    • Up to 125% more competitive graphics performance than Intel i7-8550U and 150% more competitive graphics performance than Intel i7-7500U
    • Targeting Up to 13.5 hours of battery life
    • SenseMI features including Precision Boost 2 technology and Mobile Extended Frequency Range (mXFR)
  • Ryzen PRO mobile solutions are expected to launch in Q2 2018.

Ryzen PRO mobile processors with Radeon Vega Graphics:

• Ryzen Mobile Processor with Radeon Vega Graphics
  • AMD expanded the Ryzen Mobile Processor family, featuring the world’s fastest processor for ultrathin notebooks line up, with the introduction of the Ryzen 3 mobile processor.

Ryzen mobile processors with Radeon Vega Graphics:

Graphics & Gaming Updates

AMD discussed its first mobile discrete graphics solution based on the “Vega” architecture. This razor-thin Radeon Vega Mobile GPU is designed to enable new, powerful gaming notebooks in 2018 with extraordinary performance and incredible efficiency.

AMD also announced that Radeon Software will add support for HDMI 2.1 Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) technology on Radeon RX products in an upcoming driver release. This support will come as an addition to the Radeon FreeSync technology umbrella, as displays with HDMI 2.1 VRR support reach market.

Ubisoft announced that Far Cry 5 will support Radeon RX Vega specific features like Rapid Packed Math as well as Radeon FreeSync 2 technology. Radeon Vega owners will be able to enjoy Far Cry 5 at exceptional fidelity, with stunning frame rates and beautiful image quality.

2018 is shaping up as an interesting year for PC enthusiasts. Let us know what your thoughts are about AMD’s 2018 roadmap.