rumor has it AMD is preparing a B2 Ryzen stepping, but will only fix SoC issues and not CPU outstanding issues

[zMeul]

 

the SoC part of Ryzen is what you call the chipset, but in Ryzen is integrated with the CPU package

what exactly this B2 stepping fixes is not exactly clear, my understanding it might also touch on "infinity fabric"

 

what is clear tho, AMD seems not to be fixing any of the outstanding CPU issues like the FMA bug (was soft-fixed by a microcode update)

[sazrocks]

Huh. I wonder if it will improve iommu groups.

[RadiatingLight]

Unless I know what this entails, then it really doesn't mean anything

what bugs will this fix?

[ARikozuM]

 

AMD is finally competitive... but, come on...

[Liltrekkie]

So, will this be like a yearly Ryzen refresh?

 

Minor improvements every year until Zen+?

 

If they are doing a new stepping, say for 2018, this would actually make sense, since we know Ryzen will last 4 years until Zen+, if they do a yearly stepping increase that contains improvements, this might prevent another FX situation down the line. Kaby lake did a similar thing for Skylake, minor improvements but not much change to the base. AMD will have to do something similar, hopefully with a small IPC bump as well, or clocked faster. 

[zMeul]

 

11 minutes ago, RadiatingLight said:

Unless I know what this entails, then it really doesn't mean anything

what bugs will this fix?

SoC stuff, not CPU stuff - the chipset, and if memory serves it was designed by AsMedia 

 

@sazrocks it's a strong possibility, but you should wait for official confirmationn

[goodtofufriday]

Wonder if this will find its way in asrocks itx board. 

[Coaxialgamer]

23 minutes ago, Liltrekkie said:

So, will this be like a yearly Ryzen refresh?

 

Minor improvements every year until Zen+?

 

If they are doing a new stepping, say for 2018, this would actually make sense, since we know Ryzen will last 4 years until Zen+, if they do a yearly stepping increase that contains improvements, this might prevent another FX situation down the line. Kaby lake did a similar thing for Skylake, minor improvements but not much change to the base. AMD will have to do something similar, hopefully with a small IPC bump as well, or clocked faster. 

wat ?

First of all , this is a new stepping , not a new version of the cpu . It's only purpose is to fix issues that cannot be patched via microcode updates .It won't improve performance . 

 

also , ryzen won't last for 4 years . That quote was just misunderstood .

AM4 and the zen architecture will last 4 years . That includes zen + , zen 2 and zen 3 .

[Guest SighTurtle]

B2 stepping is being used for Eypc it seems. Makes sense if its being used for servers where bugs are a no-no. 

 

[Liltrekkie]

10 minutes ago, Coaxialgamer said:

wat ?

First of all , this is a new stepping , not a new version of the cpu . It's only purpose is to fix issues that cannot be patched via microcode updates .It won't improve performance . 

 

also , ryzen won't last for 4 years . That quote was just misunderstood .

AMd4 and the zen architecture will last 4 years . That includes zen + , zen 2 and zen 3 .

This makes a lot more sense. I really hope that is the case. I feel like Ryzen still has A LOT of potential left that AMD left untapped on purpose.

[Humbug]

1 hour ago, Liltrekkie said:

This makes a lot more sense. I really hope that is the case. I feel like Ryzen still has A LOT of potential left that AMD left untapped on purpose.

well, not on purpose...

just that at some point you have to stop and release a product. Or you will be improving and developing forever.

 

Zen2 will come in 2018 using 7nm. AMD was working on the architectural improvements for that well before Ryzen launched.

[cj09beira]

2 hours ago, Liltrekkie said:

So, will this be like a yearly Ryzen refresh?

 

Minor improvements every year until Zen+?

 

If they are doing a new stepping, say for 2018, this would actually make sense, since we know Ryzen will last 4 years until Zen+, if they do a yearly stepping increase that contains improvements, this might prevent another FX situation down the line. Kaby lake did a similar thing for Skylake, minor improvements but not much change to the base. AMD will have to do something similar, hopefully with a small IPC bump as well, or clocked faster. 

zen+ is next year :-| 

this is just fixes for minor silicon errors, and its to make sure the silicon on he servers is a good as possible

[MyName13]

Aren't chipsets on the motherboards (A320, B350 and x370)?

[Taf the Ghost]

It's not a silicon revision.  That would be with Zen+ next year. (AMD's slides show Zen on 14nm and 14nm+ process.)  It's SoC updates and wholly unsurprising.

 

Also, Zen 2 being in late 2018 would still be a tad surprising.   2019 makes a lot more sense.  Intel's Icelake should eat up all of the CPU roll outs in the last half of 2018.  (If it isn't late.)

[Stefan1024]

What did you expect? A mayor change needs a lot of engineering time and testing.

And it's not a new part, just the same with some minor fixes. And by the way, which mental healthy person would introduce a mayor design change into a running production line?