AMD would like to align the launch of the AM5 with the available DDR5 … but the shortage complicates the situation

Soaring prices for DDR5 memory
could force AMD to reorganize its release schedule to allow the future AM5 platform
to hit the market… when DDR5 is more accessible.

Announced during AMD’s conference at CES 2022, the APUs Ryzen 6000 “Rembrandt” chips will soon arrive on laptops. They must also make their way to desktop PCs, where they will benefit from the new AM5 platform, expected later this year. The only thing is… the exorbitant prices of DDR5 could thwart AMD’s initial planning. This is what we learn from an interview with David McAfee, Corporate VP at AMD, at the specialized media Tom’s Hardware.

Towards a postponed launch for the AM5 platform?

” One of the dynamics that we think about a lot is how and when to introduce this AM5 ecosystem and ensure that the DDR5 supply, as well as the price of DDR5 memory, is mature and easily accessible to the end user. It is therefore possible that other forces, beyond the product itself, slow down or slow down the introduction of APUs into the AM5 socket. “, Said McAfee in particular.

In other words, even if AMD chooses to launch its new AM5 platform on time, which should arrive in the second half of 2022 and remain in active service for a long time, the arrival of the Ryzen 6000 APUs for desktop PCs could be delayed in order to make it easier for customers to access DDR5 memory.

As specified TechPowerUp
, the lack of availability and prices of DDR5 memory could also be the Achilles heel for AMD. Indeed, it seems that, unlike Intel’s Alder Lake platform, AMD’s AM5 is not compatible with the old DDR4 standard.

Possible Delayed Ryzen 6000 desktop APUs

As a reminder, the desktop versions of AMD Ryzen 6000 “Rembrandt” processors (engraved in 6 nm) must combine Zen 3+ CPU cores and an RDNA 2 iGPU. This small graphics revolution should allow these chips to compete, directly with their integrated graphics parts, some dedicated entry-level competition GPUs.

Traditionally, these desktop versions of AMD APUs hit the market long after their mobile counterparts. Last year, however, Cézanne desktop chips had reached the desktop market just four months after their introduction on laptops. A record that AMD may not be able to repeat this year.

Sources: Tom’s Hardware
, Neowin