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The Evolution of AMD Ryzen CPUs: Generations, Sockets, and Release Years!

  • Writer: Samuel Bailey
    Samuel Bailey
  • May 5
  • 2 min read

The Evolution of AMD Ryzen CPUs: Generations, Sockets, and Release Years

Since its debut in 2017, AMD's Ryzen processor lineup has revolutionized the CPU market, offering high performance, competitive pricing, and cutting-edge technology. Below is a detailed breakdown of every Ryzen generation, the sockets they use, and their release years.


Zen (1st Generation) – 2017

AMD introduced the Zen microarchitecture with the Ryzen 1000 series, marking a significant leap in performance. These CPUs utilized the AM4 socket and supported DDR4 memory.

Ryzen 1000 Series (Summit Ridge)

  • Ryzen 7 1800X, 1700X, 1700 – 8 cores, 16 threads

  • Ryzen 5 1600X, 1600, 1500X, 1400 – 6 cores, 12 threads / 4 cores, 8 threads

  • Ryzen 3 1300X, 1200 – 4 cores, 4 threads


Threadripper 1000 Series (Whitehaven)

  • Ryzen Threadripper 1950X, 1920X, 1900X – 16, 12, and 8 cores, respectively

  • Socket: TR4


Zen+ (2nd Generation) – 2018

The Ryzen 2000 series refined the Zen architecture with improved efficiency and higher clock speeds while maintaining the AM4 socket.

Ryzen 2000 Series (Pinnacle Ridge)

  • Ryzen 7 2700X, 2700 – 8 cores, 16 threads

  • Ryzen 5 2600X, 2600 – 6 cores, 12 threads

  • Ryzen 3 2300X, 2200G – 4 cores, 4 threads


Threadripper 2000 Series (Colfax)

  • Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX, 2950X, 2920X, 2900X – Up to 32 cores

  • Socket: TR4


Zen 2 (3rd Generation) – 2019

AMD introduced PCIe 4.0 support with the Ryzen 3000 series, significantly boosting performance while still using the AM4 socket.

Ryzen 3000 Series (Matisse)

  • Ryzen 9 3950X, 3900X – 16 and 12 cores

  • Ryzen 7 3800X, 3700X – 8 cores

  • Ryzen 5 3600X, 3600, 3500X – 6 cores

  • Ryzen 3 3300X, 3100 – 4 cores


Threadripper 3000 Series (Castle Peak)

  • Ryzen Threadripper 3990X, 3970X, 3960X – Up to 64 cores

  • Socket: sTRX4


Zen 3 (4th Generation) – 2020

The Ryzen 5000 series brought major IPC improvements while still using the AM4 socket.

Ryzen 5000 Series (Vermeer)

  • Ryzen 9 5950X, 5900X – 16 and 12 cores

  • Ryzen 7 5800X, 5800X 3D, 5700X, 5700, 7 5700X 3D,  – 8 cores

  • Ryzen 5 5600X, 5600, 5600X 3D– 6 cores


Threadripper 5000 Series (Chagall)

  • Ryzen Threadripper 5995WX, 5975WX, 5965WX – Up to 64 cores

  • Socket: sWRX8


Zen 4 (5th Generation) – 2022

AMD transitioned to the AM5 socket, introducing DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 support.

Ryzen 7000 Series (Raphael)

  • Ryzen 9 7950X, 7900X, 7900X 3D, 7950X3D – 16 and 12 cores

  • Ryzen 7 7700X, 7 7700, 7800X 3D – 8 cores

  • Ryzen 5 7600X, 7600 – 6 cores


Threadripper 7000 Series (Storm Peak)

  • Ryzen Threadripper 7980X, 7970X, 7960X – Up to 96 cores

  • Socket: sTR5


Zen 5 (6th Generation) – 2024

The latest Ryzen 8000 series continues to refine performance on the AM5 socket.

Ryzen 9000 Series (Granite Ridge)

  • Ryzen 9 9950X, 9900X, 9900X 3D, 9950X 3D– 16 and 12 cores

  • Ryzen 7 9700X, 9800X 3D – 8 cores

  • Ryzen 5 9600X, 9600 – 6 cores


Conclusion

AMD Ryzen CPUs have evolved significantly, from the early Zen architecture to the latest Zen 5 processors. With each generation, AMD has pushed the boundaries of performance, efficiency, and innovation.


 
 
 

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