Details leaked about 16-core, 32-thread AMD 'Whitehaven' Ryzen CPUs

AMD confirms Computex press conference for 31 May as speculation grows that it will unveil enthusiasts' CPUs and Radeon RX Vega

Rumours that AMD is preparing to release a 16- or even 32- core monster based on its Zen micro-architecture have firmed up after new leaks surfaced online outlining a series of AMD engineering samples.

The parts, labelled ‘Whitehaven', suggest that AMD is preparing both 12- and 16-core parts, offering 24 and 32 threads respectively - there's no sign yet of any 32-core parts, however.

The samples have been published by the Videocardz.com website. They indicate that the 12-core Whitehaven will have a base speed of 2.7GHz and a boost speed of 3.2GHz, while the 16-core part will come in two variations, both running at 3.1GHz, with a ‘turbo' of 3.6GHz.

The leaks might also shed some light on Ryzen 3, with the inclusion on the list of a two-core, four-threat part, dubbed Gardenia, running at 2.1GHz/2.5GHz, as well as various four-core/eight-thread parts that may also form part of the Ryzen 3 line-up, which is expected to be launched in July.

It is believed that the Whitehaven parts will support quad channel DDR4 memory and provide more PCI lanes for improved SSD performance.

According to WCCFTech, the Whitehaven parts will be aimed at enthusiasts - presumably ones with deep pockets - who might otherwise be tempted by Intel Skylake X, due out in the third quarter, and won't be compatible with AM4 due to their sheer size. An X399-series of motherboards has been mooted to house the CPUs.

"It's still unclear what the new socket - internally code named "S3" — will officially be named but we do know it's going to be LGA, rather than PGA. In other words, the pins will be on the socket rather than the CPUs unlike current Ryzen chips," notes WCCFTech.

The unveiling of new AMD parts is expected at Computex in Taipei, which will run from 30 May to 3 June this year. AMD has already confirmed a press conference for 31 May at Computex, where Whitehaven, Radeon RX Vega graphics cards and the X399 HEDT motherboard platform are expected to be unveiled.

In March, rumours abounded that AMD was planning to launch a 16-core part at Computex in May. The company is also rumoured to have 32-core Ryzen parts on its roadmap.

Computing's Big Data and IoT Summit 2017 and the Big Data and IoT Summit Awards are coming on 17 May 2017.

Find out what construction giant Amey, Lloyds Banking Group, Financial Times and other big names are doing in big data and the Internet of Things.

Attendance to the Summit is free to qualifying senior IT professionals and IT leaders, but places are strictly limited, so apply now.

AND on the same day, Computing is also proud to present the Big Data and IoT Summit Awards, too. See the finalists - and secure a table for your team at the Awards - now