Skip to main content

AMD previews Ryzen 7000 Zen 4 processors with Halo Infinite tease

A long-awaited announcement is finally here: AMD has just teased the upcoming release of the next generation of processors, dubbed the AMD Ryzen 7000 series.

The CPUs are set to release in the second half of 2022. AMD previewed the performance of one of the upcoming Zen 4 processors during CES 2022, showing how it fared during a Halo Infinite gaming demo.

Dr. Lisa Su presents the new AMD chip.

The new processors mark a completely new generation of CPUs for AMD, upgrading from the current Zen 3 platform to Zen 4. AMD has also revealed that Ryzen 7000 CPUs are based on a 5nm process node — a first for AMD. Recent generations of AMD CPUs (Zen 2 and Zen 3) all utilized a 7nm process node.

Releasing the new CPUs means more for AMD than just catching up to the 12th-gen Intel Alder Lake that was released last year. Aside from a straight upgrade to the specifications of the processors themselves, AMD revealed that with the new Zen 4 processors, it will also release the AM5 platform. This will open the door to technologies currently unavailable to AMD users.

AMD is now officially switching from its current socket to the LGA1718, allowing for compatibility with PCIe Gen 5.0, as well as DDR5 memory. Despite the huge socket change, AMD claims that the new platform will retain compatibility with current AM4 coolers.

Dr. Lisa Su presents the new AMD CPU in a Halo Infinite demo.

The manufacturer has promised that the new AMD Ryzen 7000 CPUs will bring with them unprecedented levels of performance, emphasizing hitting the right balance between raw power and energy efficiency. The recent generations of AMD chips have typically offered a good performance-per-watt ratio, and AMD made it clear that this continues to be a key factor going forward.

In order to demonstrate the capabilities of the new Zen 4 processor, AMD revealed a demo of Halo Infinite gameplay on one of the upcoming chips. According to Lisa Su, the CEO of AMD, the preview bodes well for the Ryzen 7000 — all the cores in the processor maintained a steady high of 5.0GHz, resulting in smooth gameplay with high frames per second. Unfortunately, the demo was very short.

Exciting times are ahead for those in need of a new CPU. With AMD once again entering the contest, Intel’s Alder Lake will meet its current-gen match. Although there are still questions left to answer, it may be a while until we hear more about the new processors. AMD is planning to launch both Zen 4 and AM5 in the second half of 2022.

Here’s a look at everything else AMD announced at CES 2022.

Editors' Recommendations

Monica J. White
Monica is a UK-based freelance writer and self-proclaimed geek. A firm believer in the "PC building is just like expensive…
No one wants to buy AMD’s Zen 4 chips — what’s going on?
A hand holding the Ryzen 9 7950X in front of a green light.

AMD’s Zen 4 processors could be in deep trouble, according to recent sales data. In fact, it looks like Zen 4 chips could be five times less popular than the previous-generation Zen 3. Why is no one buying Zen 4?

The data comes from German retailer Mindfactory (via Reddit), which provides daily sales data for a range of processors, both Intel and AMD. And the findings for December 2022 do not make pleasant reading for fans of Team Red.

Read more
Ryzen 7000 CPUs have a serious problem with their heat spreaders
AIO cooler coldplate with scratches in the copper.

AMD's new Zen 4 Ryzen 7000 CPUs look undeniably cool with their spider-leg-like integrated heat spreader (IHS). But, it pains me to say it: In my time with these chips, I've developed a real dislike for the design.

The convoluted, atypical shape means that cleaning off all the heat paste when changing CPUs or coolers is almost impossible. But in our testing we've found two instances of Ryzen 7000 CPUs actually scratching and damaging the cold plates of our coolers. That's just not cool.
Heat paste issues

Read more
AMD drops huge price cuts on Ryzen 7000-series processors right now
An AMD Ryzen 7000 processor slotted into a motherboard.

AMD has cut the prices for its Ryzen 7000-series processors by up to $120 in some cases. This discount applies to all four Zen 4 processors on both NewEgg and Amazon, as well as the official AMD store.

The Ryzen 9 7950 was listed at $574, down from $699 a week ago. The Ryzen 9 7900 was $474, down from $549.

Read more