AMD Ryzen 9 7950x3d spotted with double v-cache

192mb

A Zen 4 CPU variant has been spotted with as much as 192MB of L3 cache: double the V-Cache of existing models.

According to Extreme Tech, AMD may have been experimenting with different configurations of its stacked L3 memory add-on.

This discovery is intriguing because it is a significant departure from AMD’s current 16-core V-Cache CPU design, which uses a “best of both worlds” approach: one chiplet with V-Cache and another with a standard 32 MB L3 -cache. The V-Cache chiplet runs at lower clock speeds to manage the extra heat. In comparison, the “naked” chiplet runs at higher speeds, allowing the CPU to adapt to different applications by using the most suitable chiplet.

The discovery of a CPU with V-Cache on both chipsets was a surprise, as AMD reportedly discovered that too many L3 cache pools could cause excessive latency in games, undermining the benefits of additional L3 cache for gaming. This unexpected configuration suggests that AMD is pushing the boundaries of CPU design and exploring new possibilities to improve performance.

AMD’s Zen 5 CPUs are on the way, and it remains to be seen whether the third-generation V-Cache will maintain a design similar to Zen 4 or if AMD will opt for a new configuration.

The tech community is eagerly awaiting the standard Zen 5 CPUs, which are expected to hit the market later this year. The V-Cache variants will likely be unveiled at CES 2025. This staggered release strategy is intended to ensure that the V-Cache models don’t overshadow the debut of the standard chips.

The future of AMD’s V-Cache technology is certainly an exciting prospect, with potential improvements that could redefine CPU performance benchmarks.