Alongside its Ryzen 9000 series CPUs, AMD is gearing up to launch new chipsets for upcoming Socket AM5 motherboards. Since Ryzen processors debuted, each generation has been accompanied by a new chipset (B350, B450, B550, B650). However, it appears that AMD is jumping the gun with its next set of chipsets, skipping a 700 series and jumping right up to 800 instead.
The best CPUs from the Ryzen 9000 series will be backwards compatible with existing Socket AM5 motherboards, but these new 800 chipsets should serve as the most feature-complete platform for the processors. Using previous generations as a frame of reference, it’s likely that AMD will increase PCIe bandwidth, USB speeds and capacity, as well as make general improvements to stability with these chipsets.
According to Benchlife (via WCCTech), manufacturers are preparing to showcase motherboards with 800 series chipsets for both Intel and AMD sockets at Computex. The outlet doesn’t confirm the names of each chipset but we should expect to see some combination of X870E, X870, X850E, X850, and X620 Socket AM5 motherboards. That is, of course, unless AMD decides to further amend its branding.
So, what does AMD have against 700? Judging by the its use of 700 elsewhere (e.g. Ryzen 7 7700X), nothing at all. However, there’s no force quite like competition (or pettiness) to drive change, which appears to be the most likely cause. Our best guess? AMD doesn’t want AM5 chipsets with a number smaller than Intel’s.
Such a suggestion admittedly doesn’t sound so ridiculous given AMD is rumoured to be shifting its Strix Point APU branding to ‘Ryzen AI HX 3XX’. As if differentiating between the company’s processors, particularly on mobile, wasn’t already confusing enough. These changes are sure to further confuse and frustrate DIY builders, as they double take to ensure they’re buying the correct 800 series motherboard. What’s next? Ryzen Ultra 300 series?
With the Ryzen 9000 release date set for just a few months time, and its Computex reveal expected even sooner, AMD will soon spill all the beans on its processor plans. The digestibility of its announcement remains to be seen, and I’d be more than happy to be proven a cynic than I would right in this instance.
We’ll be reporting right from the showfloor as Dr. Lisa Su’s keynote unfolds, so be sure to come back for the news as it breaks. Before then, though, give our Ryzen 9 7950X review a read to learn more about our favourite AMD CPU of the moment.
