AMD Zen 6 “Olympic Ridge” Leak Points to 24 Cores and a Revamped Core Count Strategy
The rumor mill is spinning once again about AMD’s next major desktop processor release. According to a post from known hardware leaker HXL, the forthcoming Zen 6-based desktop family, codenamed “Olympic Ridge” and expected to be branded as the Ryzen 10000 series, will feature a significantly expanded range of core count options.
If the leak holds true, AMD is preparing to offer no fewer than seven distinct core configurations. The lineup would span from entry-level chips all the way up to a flagship 24-core monster, introducing new mid-range options that have been absent in recent generations.
Single CCD and Dual CCD Breakdown
The rumored configurations are split between single-chiplet and dual-chiplet designs. For models using a single Core Complex Die (CCD), the lineup includes:
- 6-core variants
- 8-core variants
- 10-core variants (a new addition to the stack)
- 12-core variants
For the high-end segment utilizing dual CCDs, the configurations scale up accordingly:
- 16-core (8+8)
- 20-core (10+10)
- 24-core (12+12)
This represents a notable departure from AMD’s traditional desktop segmentation, which has typically offered 6, 8, 12, and 16-core options. The introduction of 10 and 20-core SKUs suggests AMD is aiming to fill performance gaps and provide buyers with more granular upgrade paths.
The 12-Core CCD Arrives
The foundation of this expanded lineup is a significant architectural change: AMD is finally moving beyond the 8-core CCD that has served as the building block since the Zen 2 generation. According to the leaks, each Zen 6 CCD will now house up to 12 cores, paired with 48MB of L3 cache.
This means a dual-CCD flagship part would offer a total of 24 cores and 96MB of L3 cache before any potential 3D V-Cache variants are considered. For context, current Ryzen 9000 series processors max out at 16 cores using two 8-core chiplets.
The move to 12-core CCDs also brings efficiency benefits. A 12-core chip built on a single die eliminates the inter-chiplet communication latency that dual-CCD 12-core processors (like the Ryzen 9 5900X or 7900X) have historically faced.
Continued AM5 Support
Importantly for existing AM5 users, Olympic Ridge is expected to maintain socket compatibility. Multiple sources indicate that Zen 6 desktop processors will continue to use the AM5 platform, allowing users with current 600-series or 800-series motherboards to upgrade without replacing their entire system.
This stands in contrast to Intel’s reported plans, which suggest a move to a new LGA-1954 socket for its high-end Nova Lake-S processors, requiring a platform change for those seeking the latest Intel silicon.
Architectural Improvements Beyond Core Counts
Beyond the raw core counts, Zen 6 is expected to bring additional enhancements. Leaks point to improved instructions per clock (IPC), higher clock speeds potentially exceeding 6 GHz on advanced TSMC N2 process nodes, and a redesigned memory controller supporting faster DDR5 speeds.
There are also indications that Zen 6 will bring comprehensive AVX-512 support to the consumer desktop, including specific instructions like AVX_VNNI_INT8 and AVX512_FP16 that accelerate AI and machine learning workloads directly on the CPU.
The Competitive Landscape
AMD’s rumored 24-core flagship arrives as Intel prepares its own Nova Lake-S desktop processors, which some leaks suggest could reach as high as 52 cores using a dual-compute tile design with a mix of performance and efficiency cores.
The two companies are taking distinctly different approaches. Intel is pursuing hybrid architectures with core counts that would have been unthinkable for desktop just a few years ago, while AMD is scaling its homogeneous core design upward while maintaining platform continuity.
Also, Read
- AMD’s Next-Gen “Medusa Halo” Chip Rumored for Massive Memory Boost with LPDDR6
- AMD GPU Prices Climbing – Board Partners Report 5-10% Hike, Focus Shifts to 8GB Cards
- CPU Reliability Report – AMD Ryzen 9000 and Intel Core Ultra 200 Show Nearly Identical Failure Rates
Rumors Remain Unconfirmed
As with all pre-release information, these details remain unconfirmed by AMD. The company has not officially announced Olympic Ridge, Zen 6, or the Ryzen 10000 branding. Roadmaps change, specifications are refined, and final products may differ from current leaks.
However, the consistency of information emerging from multiple sources suggests AMD is indeed planning a significant desktop refresh for late 2026, one that could offer consumers more choices than ever before.
Source: HXL