AMD’s Zen 5 desktop processors could be close to hitting the market, as another motherboard vendor has provided initial support for what will most likely be Ryzen 9000 CPUs.
As highlighted by well-known leaker HXL on X (formerly Twitter), MSI has released new firmware for its AM5 chipset motherboards running AGESA 1.1.7.0. As the description tells us, the firmware will support AMD’s “next-gen CPU”, namely Ryzen 9000 – well, probably.
MSI Simple and clear. FireRangePi 1.1.7.0 Patch Ahttps://t.co/f2TD2nOg7X pic.twitter.com/K7aI1hzIVaApril 13, 2024
It doesn’t confirm the name, of course, so there’s always a chance AMD could be working with something else.
What makes this move even more significant is that Asus released a new BIOS a few weeks ago that has also been updated to AGESA version 1.1.7.0.
That’s why two motherboard manufacturers have now released firmware that supports these next-generation Zen 5 processors (and not just Ryzen 9000, known as ‘Granite Ridge’ CPUs, but also Fire Range APUs based on Zen 5).
Analysis: The stage seems set
Now that two major motherboard makers have laid the groundwork for Zen 5 CPUs, it’s a clear indication that AMD’s next-generation chips will hit the market soon.
However, we should not forget that these BIOS releases are still in beta testing phase, so it is still early stages for them. (And of course, in either case, if you’re tempted to download the new firmware, just remember that they’re betas, and we don’t recommend playing with that particular fire unless there’s a very compelling reason to update – support for previously non-existent processors is of course not one).
As for when the Zen 5 desktop chips could actually arrive, current rumors are still hopeful for a Q3 release, meaning there might be an outside chance for July – a possibility that this preliminary motherboard work certainly can’t eliminate . Another recent leak also suggested a Q3 launch, with Ryzen 9000 rumored to offer a generational performance jump of 15% to 20% (on average).
We could see an unveiling for Zen 5 chips at Computex in June – that seems likely, and would tie in nicely with a possible July or August launch.
In all of this, keep your skeptical limits firmly in place – and there are contrary suggestions from the rumor mill casting doubt on a Q3 timeframe – but we’re getting a little excited, we have to admit, given the recent increase in waste surrounding AMD’s next – gen CPUs.
Through Tom’s hardware