The desktop launch of AMD Ryzen 9000 Series CPUs has been abruptly pushed back. Mid-range Ryzen 7 9700X and Ryzen 5 9600X processors will now become available August 8, with high-end Ryzen 9 9950X and Ryzen 9 9900X landing even later on August 15.
Originally expected to arrive July 31, the sudden delay in retail availability is thought to be attributed to shipped units that failed to meet quality expectations.
The development is unprecedented as in over 20 years of processor testing, Club386 staff has never known an entire CPU series to be delayed this close to launch.
AMD is evidently on high alert and doesn’t want to repeat the long-term missteps attributed to Intel for its Raptor Lake instabilities. A recall now, ahead of retail availability, is preferable to a microcode update after the fact.
Nevertheless, the decision to delay such a high-profile product and recall parts already in the channel suggests a significant silicon defect that cannot be rectified.
The flaw is thought to be exclusive to Ryzen 9000 Series and does not affect any prior-generation silicon, or upcoming Strix Point laptops CPUs.
Originally intended to launch in a little over a week’s time, press and reviewers have been left waiting last-minute review samples, only to be told embargoes are also being shifted closer to the August 15 date.
AMD has issued the following statement:
“We appreciate the excitement around Ryzen 9000 series processors. During final checks, we found the initial production units that were shipped to our channel partners did not meet our full quality expectations. Out of an abundance of caution and to maintain the highest quality experiences for every Ryzen user, we are working with our channel partners to replace the initial production units with fresh units. As a result, there will be a short delay in retail availability. The Ryzen 7 9700X and Ryzen 5 9600X processors will now go on sale on August 8th and the Ryzen 9 9950X and Ryzen 9 9900X processors will go on-sale on August 15th. We pride ourselves in providing a high-quality experience for every Ryzen user, and we look forward to our fans having a great experience with the new Ryzen 9000 series.”
[Update] Speaking to Club386, AMD PR Director Iain Bristow added the following:
“I just wanted to clarify that this is not a product issue, and it is related to testing. We identified an issue with our initial production testing for Ryzen 9000 series processors that could result in a small number of parts reaching market that do not meet our quality standards. As a result, we have updated our test flow to include additional screening. As a part of ensuring that we are delivering the highest quality products to consumers, we are requalifying all the Ryzen 9000 series CPUs previously shipped to our distribution partners.”
