AMD could be planning a move to include 3D V cache in its next ThreadRipper CPU – here’s what we know so far
- Changes in the BIOS manual of the ASUS TRX motherboard have sparked rumors
- 3D V-Cache capabilities could be coming to new AMD APUs
- The changes could mark a bold move from AMD
AMD appears to be working on a new Threadripper edition with 3D V-Cache capabilities.
Speculation about the move follows details posted on the website Chiphell Forumafter a known hardware leaker going by the name ‘zhangzhonghao’ noticed changes in the BIOS manual of the ASUS TRX motherboard.
“Today I saw the news that the word VCache appeared in the BIOS manual of the ASUS TRX motherboard, and then I asked the supply chain and it really comes out,” the poster said.
Use at the highest level
Zhangzhonghao further added that this would apply to all CCDs (Core Chiplet Dies), not just those from the consumer-oriented Ryzen series, and that the next generation of APUs will also feature V-Cache.
However, initially there will be certain limitations.
“The next generation will stack 3D on APU (to boost the CPU and GPU),” the poster added. “The technology and cost are there, but current news says it is limited to notebooks and intended for halo-level use.”
This speculation follows reports Video cardzwhich reported new features added to the ASUS WRX90 motherboard based on reader testimonials. The manual for this particular motherboard mentions that there is an option to control 3D V-Cache stacks.
However, there are currently no Threadripper CPUs that use this.
What does this mean for users?
All things considered, speculation about AMD’s move is still quite shaky, but previous leaks from ‘zhangzhonghao’ have paid off, Videocardz notes.
Any future changes from AMD are likely still in the pipeline, and there are notable limitations. It’s unlikely that 3D V-Cache capabilities will feature in the Ryzen AI 300 Max series, but the next iteration could see changes.
AMD has not previously integrated more than one stack of 64 MB 3D V-Cache into Ryzen CPUs, Video cardz notes. However, there have been a series of mobile Ryzen CPUs that offer this capability through the Dragon Range series.