Wednesday, May 17, 2017

AMD Raises Expectations for Server Performance, Unveils EPYC Processor Brand for the Datacenter


May 17, 2017 AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) today ushered in a new era for high-performance server processors and the datacenter with EPYC. With its high core count, superior memory bandwidth, and unparalleled support for high-speed input/output channels in a single chip1, EPYC aims to revolutionize the dual-socket server market while simultaneously reshaping expectations for single-socket servers. Previously codenamed “Naples,” this new family of high-performance products for cloud-based and traditional on-premise datacenters will deliver the highly successful “Zen” x86 processing engine scaling up to 32 physical cores2. The first EPYC-based servers will launch in June with widespread support from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and channel partners.
“With the new EPYC processor, AMD takes the next step on our journey in high-performance computing,” said Forrest Norrod, senior vice president and general manager of Enterprise, Embedded & Semi-Custom Products. “AMD EPYC processors will set a new standard for two-socket performance and scalability. As we demonstrated today, we see further opportunity with the industry’s first no-compromise one-socket solutions. We believe that this new product line-up has the potential to reshape significant portions of the datacenter market with its unique combination of performance, design flexibility, and disruptive TCO.”
Today, at the 2017 AMD Financial Analyst Day, a single EPYC processor was shown exceeding the performance of a competitive mid-range, two-socket / two-processor platform in a head-to-head comparison. EPYC exceeds today's top competitive offering on critical parameters, with 45% more cores1, 60% more input/output capacity (I/O)2, and 122% more memory bandwidth3.
“Dropbox is currently evaluating AMD EPYC CPUs in-house, and we are impressed with the initial performance we see across workloads in single-socket configurations,” said Akhil Gupta, vice president of infrastructure at Dropbox. “The combination of core performance, memory bandwidth, and I/O support make EPYC a unique offering. We look forward to continuing to evaluate EPYC as an option for our infrastructure.”

EPYC Features

·         A highly scalable, 32-core System-on-a-chip (SoC) design, with support for two high-performance threads per core
·         Industry-leading memory bandwidth, with 8 channels of memory per EPYC device3. In a dual-socket server, support for up to 32 DIMMS of DDR4 on 16 memory channels, delivering up to 4 terabytes of total memory capacity
·         Complete SoC with fully integrated, high-speed I/O supporting 128 lanes of PCIe® 3, negating the need for a separate chip-set
·         Highly-optimized cache structure for high-performance, energy-efficient computing
·         Infinity Fabric coherent interconnect for two EPYC CPUs in a dual-socket system
·         Dedicated security hardware

 “Today’s single-socket server offerings push buyers toward purchasing a more expensive two-socket server just to get the memory bandwidth and I/O they need to support the compute performance of the cores,” said Matthew Eastwood, senior vice president, IDC.  “There are no fully-featured, high-performance server processors available today in a single-socket configuration. EPYC changes that dynamic by offering a single-processor solution that delivers the right-sized number of high-performance cores, memory, and I/O for today’s workloads.”

Supporting Resources
·         EPYC on AMD.com
·         Single-socket whitepaper
·         Financial Analyst Day overview press release
·         Financial Analyst Day presentations
·         Learn more about the “Zen” x86 core
·         Follow AMD datacenter developments on Twitter @AMDServer



About AMD
For more than 45 years AMD has driven innovation in high-performance computing, graphics, and visualization technologies ― the building blocks for gaming, immersive platforms, and the datacenter. Hundreds of millions of consumers, leading Fortune 500 businesses, and cutting-edge scientific research facilities around the world rely on AMD technology daily to improve how they live, work, and play. AMD employees around the world are focused on building great products that push the boundaries of what is possible. For more information about how AMD is enabling today and inspiring tomorrow, visit the AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) websiteblog, and Facebook and Twitter pages.

*This is Press Release