A name that is pinned on a product must have meaning, aka not just writing. Likewise with the name given by AMD for Ryzen processors. Currently, AMD Ryzen has four types, consisting of Ryzen 3, Ryzen 5, Ryzen 7, Ryzen 9, and Ryzen Threadripper.
Before explaining the order and class, Carisignal invites you first to reveal the four numbers plus one letter that usually accompanies the name of an AMD Ryzen processor. To make things easier, let's refer to one processor, for example in the Ryzen 7 3750H.
First, the number 3 means that the processor is the third generation of Ryzen and uses the Zen 2 (12 nm) microarchitecture. If the number in front is 1, then the processor is the first generation with a Zen microarchitecture (14 nm). Meanwhile, if the leading number is 2, then the processor is the second generation with the Zen+ (12 nm) microarchitecture.
Even so, the number in front does not always mean the same as the generation. Because, AMD also gave the number 4 to the third generation Ryzen processors. So, some of the third generation Ryzen use the leading number 3 and some use the leading number 4. The latest, the fourth generation, starts with the leading number 5. The fourth generation processor is supported by the Zen 3 architecture (7 nm).
Second, the number 7 in 3750H means the level of performance in its class. The higher the number, the higher the performance. Usually AMD uses the numbers 7 and 8 for enthusiast levels, and 4, 5, and 6 for high performance levels.
Third, the numbers 5 and 0 on the 3750H are used to emphasize its position as a high-performance processor. However, the third and fourth numbers can also be used to distinguish it from other models of the same type and generation. For example, to distinguish the number of cores/threads owned
Fourth, the accompanying letter H in the 3750H means a high-performance processor for laptops. In addition to H, the letters used by AMD are X, G, GE, T, and U. The letter X is used for high-performance desktop computer processors.
G means that the processor for the desktop is an APU, aka it has been combined with the GPU. GE stands for APU for desktops with low power consumption. Lastly, U means that the processor is an APU for a standard laptop which is usually power efficient.
There are at least five types of AMD Ryzen processors that you need to know, ranging from Ryzen 3 to Ryzen Threadripper. The following are the types of AMD Ryzen processors based on their class.
1. Ryzen 3
AMD has many options in the entry class. Besides still presenting the A and Athlon series processors, there is also Ryzen 3. Ryzen 3 is positioned by AMD as the main competitor to Intel Core i3, both on desktop computers or laptops. Through Ryzen 3, AMD tries to offer an okay capable processor at a low price.
The hallmark of Ryzen 3 is that it uses 2 to 4 cores with 4 to 8 threads. Ryzen also has APU variants (CPU combined with GPU) for power-efficient desktops and laptops. When the first generation rolled out in mid-2017, there were four Ryzen 3 products introduced with the highest variant of 1300X.
For your information, the addition of the letter X behind the four numbers means that it has high performance. All processors for desktop computers are designed with 14 nm lithography, support dual-channel DDR4, and are based on the new socket AM4. The first generation Ryzen 3 processor line for the laptop market was only available a year ago alias in 2018.
However, the naming of the first generation Ryzen 3 for laptops immediately uses the 2000s numbers. For example, the Ryzen 3 Pro 2300U mated to a Radeon Vega 6 GPU. Since then, Ryzen 3 has continued to experience technological updates. Most recently, when the fourth generation (4000 series) was born, AMD launched six Ryzen 3 products.
Four each for PCs and two for laptops. All of the fourth generation Ryzen 3 are APUs with the Zen 2 (7 nm) microarchitecture. One of them is the Ryzen 3 4300GE power-efficient processor (4 cores, 8 threads) for PCs with a TDP of 35 watts and a clock speed of 3.5-4.0 GHz.
2. Ryzen 5
AMD relies on Ryzen 5 as the choice of consumers who are looking for a mid-range processor. Existence in the processor market as well as a rival to the Intel Core i5. The thing that distinguishes Ryzen 5 from its sister, Ryzen 3, is the simultaneous multi-threading technology support. However, starting with the third generation, the technology has been injected into Ryzen 3.
This technology makes a processor have a better ability to handle many tasks at one time (multi-tasking). In addition, the hallmark of Ryzen 5 is that it always has 4 or 6 cores, with 8, 6, or 12 threads.
Especially for laptop processors, Ryzen 5 is accompanied by an integrated Radeon Vega graphics card. Ryzen 5 is the wisest choice because of its nature as an all-rounder processor that can reliably handle a variety of jobs.
People who are starting to get serious about the world of gaming deserve to make Ryzen 5 the main weapon on their computers. Likewise with a content creator, data analyst, and programmer. The reason is, Ryzen 5 is tough, cold, can be overclocked, and has low power consumption. This is as illustrated in the Ryzen 5 3600x which won the best category for mainstream PCs.
Even though they both have a TDP of 95 watts like their toughest opponents, the Intel Core i5-9600K, Ryzen 5 is in fact much more shrewd. In this case it is good at handling heat, playing games, and its compatibility with older motherboards. This is as reviewed on the Toms Hardware site.
Another interesting thing is that the Ryzen 5 3600X has a selling price that is lower than the Core i5-9600K, 26.39 US dollars compared to 27.5 US dollars. The latest generation of Ryzen 5 was introduced to the public in November 2020. The fifth generation already supports the Zen 3 microarchitecture based on 7 nm lithography.
3. Ryzen 7
If you are someone who needs high performance, Ryzen 7 can certainly meet your expectations. The reason is that Ryzen 7 offers technology that has never been seen in AMD's high-end processors before. The technology is two-way simultaneous multi-threading and precision boost.
For desktop computers, you will find Ryzen 7 processors with 8 cores and 16 threads either CPU or APU (CPU+GPU). As for laptops, the available Ryzen 7 always has 4 or 8 cores and 8 or 16 threads with Radeon Vega integrated GPU support.
Since the first generation was introduced in 2017, Ryzen 7 has received a good response from its users. Especially those who have been disappointed with the performance of AMD's previous high-end processor line, namely FX. The good reception came because the first generation products, Ryzen 7 1700, Ryzen 7 1700X, and Ryzen 1800X, were able to bring improvements from all sides.
4. Ryzen 9
AMD has Ryzen 9 for the enthusiast class which is one level above the high-end. This processor line is the youngest of the Ryzen family. Because, Ryzen 9 only appeared in 2019. It could be, Ryzen 9 is a tactic from AMD that does not want to lose competitiveness with Intel. The reason is, Intel has already launched the Core i9 in 2017.
The inherent thing about this type of processor is the minimum number of cores of 12 with a minimum of 24 threads for PCs. While Ryzen 9 for laptops usually uses a configuration of 8 cores and 16 threads. When it first appeared, there were five Ryzen 9 processors that were thrown into the market.
Everything has been designed with the Zen 2 (7 nm) microarchitecture. One of the mainstays of the five processors is the Ryzen 7 3950X. A 16 core and 32 thread processor with a TDP of 105 watts, and a clock speed between 3.5-4.7 GHz.
Meanwhile, Ryzen 9 in the laptop processor market will only be available in 2020. At that time, AMD released two processors, one of which was the Ryzen 4900H. Ryzen 4900H has a clock speed of 3.3-4.4 GHz, 8 MB L3 Cache, Radeon Vega 8 GPU support, and a 35-54 watt TDP.
5. Ryzen Threadripper
If Intel has Xeon, AMD has Ryzen Threadripper. Both processors compete in the class of high-end desktop computers, servers, and workstations. No Ryzen Threadripper processors for laptops. Because it is intended for something special, the Ryzen Threadripper has unique specifications.
For example, support for quad-channel RAM (up to 512 GB), large L3 cache (up to 256 MB), and dozens of PCIE slots for dual GPU and other port purposes. For example, in the second-generation Threadripper based on the Zen+ microarchitecture, there are 60 PCIe 3.0 slots of which 48 are GPU-only.
Another feature of Threadripper that distinguishes it from other Ryzens is the very large number of core and thread configurations. For example in the Threadripper 3990X which was launched in early 2020, there are 64 cores and 128 threads. The processor with a TDP of 280 watts runs at a clock speed of 2.9 GHz to 4.3 GHz.
Such specifications are indeed natural in a processor for a workstation computer. Because, the work that is handled is really complicated and big. Moreover, workstation computers also serve other computers (clients).
This is an explanation of how to read the name of an AMD Ryzen processor and its types. The conclusion that can be drawn is that each generation of processors born by AMD presents features that have not existed from their predecessors, such as the basis of the microarchitecture.
Basically, Ryzen processors released in one generation have the same microarchitecture and clockspeed range. The thing that distinguishes it is the number of cores, threads, technology, and power consumption.
