Meet the new AMD EPYC 8004 family of CPUs

The new 4th gen AMD EPYC 8004 family extends the ‘Zen4c’ core architecture into lower-count processors with TDP ranges as low as 80W. The processors are designed especially for edge-server deployments and form factors.

  • September 18, 2023 | Author: Peter Krass
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AMD has introduced a family of EPYC processors for space- and power-constrained deployments: the 4th Generation AMD EPYC 8004 processor family. Formerly code-named Siena, these lower core-count CPUs can be used in traditional data centers as well as for edge compute, retail point-of-sale and running a telco network.

The new AMD processors have been designed to run at the edge with better energy efficiency and lower operating costs. The CPUs enjoy a broad range of operating temperatures and can run at lower DC power levels, thanks to their energy-efficient ‘Zen4c’ cores. These new CPUs also run quietly. With a TDP as low as 80W, the CPUs don’t need much in the way of high-speed cooling fans.

The AMD EPYC 8004 processors are purpose-built to deliver high performance and are energy-efficient in an optimized, single-socket package. They use the new SP6 socket. Each processor features from 8 to 64 simultaneous multithreading (SMT) capable ‘Zen4c’ cores.

AMD says these features, along with streamlined memory and I/O feature set, lets servers based on this new processor family deliver compelling system cost/performance metrics.

Heat-tolerant

The AMD EPYC 8004 family is also designed to run in environments with fluctuating and at times high ambient temperatures. That includes outdoor “smart city” settings and NEBS-compliant communications network sites. (NEBS, short for Network Equipment Building System, is an industry requirement for the performance levels of telecom equipment.) What AMD is calling “NEBS-friendly” models have an operating range of -5 C (23 F) to 85 C (185 F).

The new AMD processors can also run in deployments where both the power levels and available physical space are limited. That can include smaller data centers, retail stores, telco installations, and the intelligent edge.

The performance gains are impressive. Using the SPECpower benchmark, which measures power efficiency, the AMD EPYC 8004 CPUs deliver more than 2x the energy efficiency of the top competitive product for telco. This can result in 34% lower energy costs over five years, saving organizations thousands of dollars.

Multiple models

In all, the AMD EPYC 8004 family currently offers 12 SKUs. Those ending with the letter “P” support single-CPU designs. Those ending “PN” support NEBS-friendly designs and offer broader operating temperature ranges.

The various models offer a choice of 8, 16, 24, 48 or 64 ‘Zen4c’ cores; from 16 to 128 threads; and L3 cache sizes ranging from 32MB to 128MB. All the SKUs offer 6 channels of DDR memory with a maximum capacity of 1.152TB; a maximum DDR5 frequency of 4800 MHz; and 96 lanes of PCIe Gen 5 connectivity. Security features are offered by AMD Infinity Guard.

Selected AMD partners have already announced support for the new EPYC 8004 family. This includes Supermicro, which introduced new WIO based on the new AMD processors for diverse data center and edge deployments.

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