AMD recently held a conference titled Advancing AI 2025, which – as you might guess – focused entirely on new developments in artificial intelligence hardware and software. Processors are a part of AI servers and racks, and at the conference, AMD revealed something that relates not just to AI, but to computing as a whole. The company showed a server platform roadmap that appears to be revealing when Zen 7 will arrive.
You can see the roadmap in the slide below. For the current year 2025, AMD features “Turin” processors, which are Epyc 9005 chips based on the Zen 5 architecture, along with the newly released Instinct MI350 AI accelerators. For this server platform generation, AMD also offers the company’s own 400Gb/s network adapters (SmartNICs) under the Pollara 400 line. These products came into AMD’s portfolio through the acquisition of Pensando.
For the following year, 2026, a new generation of server processors codenamed “Venice” is planned, featuring the Zen 6 architecture. We already know that they are manufactured using TSMC’s 2nm process. These CPUs are expected to support up to 256 Zen 6 cores (specifically, these are likely the “compact” Zen 6c cores). They will be paired with the next-generation Instinct MI400 AI accelerator, also due in 2026, along with new 800Gb/s Ultra Ethernet network adapters codenamed Vulcano.
But the most interesting glimpse is the entry shown for the year 2027, which is being shown for the first time. AMD is now planning annual releases of new AI GPUs, so this platform will include the Instinct MI500 accelerators. Networking will still rely on Vulcano, but this platform will receive new CPUs under the codename “Verano.” It’s still unclear how they’ll be labeled (Epyc 9007?), but it seems likely these are next-generation CPUs – meaning they could feature Zen 7 cores.
This suggests the architecture could debut as early as 2027. That would be a welcome surprise, considering the longer gap experienced between Zen 4 and 5. Here, the interval between core generations might again be closer to a single year rather than two (as it was between Zen 2 and 3).
Verano will be server processors, while we’re more interested in the consumer versions of course – namely Ryzen CPUs featuring Zen 7. However, PC processors almost always launch earlier than their server counterparts. That gives us a good chance that AMD could release the next generation of processors following the upcoming Zen 6 fast, as soon as 2027.
There is, of course, a possibility that Verano might simply be a refreshed generation still using Zen 6 cores, perhaps with a new IO die in lieu of new CPU cores. This cannot be ruled out, but so far AMD has consistently introduced each new generation of Epyc processors with a new CPU core architecture, which gives some room for optimism.
Zen 7 rumored to bring 32 cores to Ryzen
Just before these official announcements, the YouTuber going by the nick Moore’s Law is Dead also weighed in. He recently reported several alleged leaks regarding AMD’s Zen 7 plans and has now added another piece of the puzzle. According to a reportedly reliable source, he says this architecture will bring an increase in core counts to Ryzen CPUs for desktop PCs. Current processors have stagnated at a maximum of 16 cores (which has been the top configuration in the 3000, 5000, 7000, and also the current 9000 series). Reportedly, in the upcoming generation (Zen 6), AMD will raise the number of cores per chiplet to 12, allowing for desktop Ryzen processors on socket AM5 with 24 cores and 48 threads. But that still might not be enough against Intel’s upcoming 52-core processors expected next year.
According to Moore’s Law is Dead, AMD is preparing a response and will push core counts even higher with Zen 7. Reportedly, this architecture will support 16 cores per CPU chiplet. If desktop CPUs still max out at two chiplets, top-end Ryzen 9 models could offer up to 32 cores and 64 threads. More affordable dual-chiplet Ryzen 9 variants would likely feature 24 cores.
But perhaps the most attractive implication is that this will also raise core counts in more affordable one-CCD CPUs – Ryzen 3 and 5 models could potentially be 8-core and 12-core parts, with Ryzen 7 featuring 16 cores (for the gaming model with 3D V-Cache). That would make for a significantly strengthened lineup compared to what AMD has out today. But keep in mind these processors will almost certainly require a new platform and a new socket (AM6?). As an upgrade, Zen 6 is likely to be the final and highest option for current AM5 motherboards.
That said, core counts for both Zen 6 and Zen 7 have yet to be officially confirmed, so this information should be taken with a grain of salt. Not everything reported by Moore’s Law is Dead turns out to be entirely reliable.
Sources: AMD (1, 2), Moore’s Law is Dead
English translation and edit by Jozef Dudáš
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