AMD Ryzen processors naming scheme

 

Today we will be discussing naming schemes for AMD’s modern Ryzen family of processors naming scheme. Just like Intel, AMD uses 3,5,7 and 9 to denote CPU model names. This can be compared to their Intelcounterpart as below:

Ryzen CPU Family	Description
Ryzen 3	Ryzen 3 is mainly used in budget friendly PCs and for consumers who don’t use their PCs for intensive applications. Ryzen 3 CPUs can be compared with Intel Core i3 series of processors.
Ryzen 5	Ryzen 5 CPUs are high performance processors capable of handling heavy multitasking and intense gaming. These processors can be quad core and hexa core processors. Ryzen 5 processors which start with a core count of 4 can go upto 6 cores, giving competition to Core i5 processors.
Ryzen 7	The Ryzen 7 CPUs are for enthusiast or prosumer who want the most coming out of their systems. Ryzen 7 processors have a starting core count of 4 or 8 and can go upto a maximum of 16 threads for delivering peak performance. This family of CPUs gives a straight challenge to Core i7 processors of Intel.
Ryzen 9	The Ryzen 9 CPIs are for serious professionals. These processors are suitable for gamers, streamers and content creators who need their PC running on optimal performance level. Ryzen 9 processors have a minimum of 8 cores for laptops and 12 cores for laptops can go upto a maximum of 16 cores. They can be compared with Intel Core i9 series of processors.
Ryzen Threadripper	The Ryzen Threadrippers is generally not required for general home consumers. These processors deliver the highest possible performance AMD’s processors can achieve by utilizing a maximum available 64 cores and 128 threads. Digital content creation, 3D rendering, gaming and streaming, CAD work or any other tasks, you name it, Threadripper processors are capable of easily doing it, at the same time. They can be compared with Intel’s Xeon family of processors.

The general rule of thumb to remember is that the higher the CPU family number, the more powerful it will be. For e.g. Ryzen 5 will be able to outperform a Ryzen 3 processor but will lag behind when compared to a Ryzen 7 processor. Also following the processor family, higher the CPU generation and model number, the more powerful it will be.

AMD Ryzen processor naming structure

Ryzen different CPU Generations

Gen number in CPU name	Gen Name	Launch Year	Fabrication	Examples
1	Zen	2017	14nm/14nm+	AMD Ryzen 3 1200, AMD Ryzen 5 1500X, AMD Ryzen 7 1700X, AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X
2	Zen+	2018	12nm	AMD Ryzen 3 2300U, AMD Ryzen 5 2500X, AMD Ryzen 7 2800H, AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X
3	Zen 2	2019	7nm	AMD Ryzen 3 3100, AMD Ryzen 5 3550H, AMD Ryzen 7 3750H, AMD Ryzen 9 3900X, AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
4	Zen 2	2020	7nm	AMD Ryzen 3 4300U, AMD Ryzen 5 4600U, AMD Ryzen 7 4800H, AMD Ryzen 9 4900H
5	Zen 3	2020	7nm	AMD Ryzen 3 5400U AMD Ryzen 5 5600U AMD Ryzen 7 5800HS AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX
6	Zen 3+	2022	6nm	AMD Ryzen 5 6660HS AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX
7	Zen 4	2022	5nm	AMD Ryzen™ 9 7950X AMD Ryzen™ 9 7900X AMD Ryzen™ 5 7600X

To keep things simple, AMD uses few model numbers and few CPU names with below suffix

Suffix	Description
No Suffix	All desktop processors
X	High Performance desktop processors that require discrete graphics cards.
XT	Ryzen processors with suffix ‘XT’ have boosted clock speed and performance compared to processors with suffix ‘X’.
G	CPUs with Integrated AMD Radeon Vega Graphics.
S	Low Power Consumption desktop processor with integrated graphics
H	High performance processors with integrated AMD Radeon Vega graphics for laptops. Mostly used in gaming and other high demanding work laptops.
U	Standard processors used in thin and light laptops and mobile devices. They have lower clock speeds and consume less power.
Z	Slightly modified version of 'U' series processor. These processors are used in laptops.
C	CPUs for Chromebooks typically with 15W-28W TDP.

AMD new naming scheme for Ryzen Mobile processors

Ryzen 3, Ryzen 5, Ryzen 7 and Ryzen Threadripper processors list