New EPYC CPUs from AMD, based on Zen 5 architecture, are currently available for sale in China, although they are rendered inoperable without a necessary microcode update
In the world of high-performance computing, AMD's upcoming EPYC 'Turin' processors are causing a stir. Based on the Zen 5 microarchitecture, these server processors are set to join AMD's 5th Generation EPYC 9005 lineup, though an exact launch date has yet to be confirmed by the tech giant.
First introduced on AMD's roadmap in 2022, the Zen 5 microarchitecture was launched on mobile platforms in July 2024 and desktop platforms in August 2024, fabricated on TSMC's N4P process. The "Turin" series specifically refers to the server EPYC 9005 processors built on Zen 5, which offer features such as 12-channel DDR5 memory support and PCIe Gen 5 connectivity with CXL capabilities, setting them apart from the related Threadripper PRO "Shimada Peak," which uses an 8-channel memory interface and lacks CXL on PCIe lanes.
As of mid-2025, no official mass-market release or broad availability of EPYC Turin processors has been announced. However, servers featuring these processors are being integrated, and OEM partnerships are active. AMD's focus in recent months has included launching the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9000 "Shimada Peak" for workstations in July 2025, indicating that EPYC Turin for servers should be available imminently or already in limited deployment.
Interestingly, reports suggest that early samples of the EPYC 9655 and EPYC 9755 processors are appearing in China. The 128-core AMD EPYC 9755 'Turin' processor, with a TDP of 500W, is rumoured to be for sale, though the price remains unknown. However, buying these early samples may not make sense for most consumers, as they cannot work on existing SP5 motherboards and may not be compatible with all existing servers.
Existing platforms will require qualification for EPYC 9005-series CPUs rated for a 500W thermal design power. The EPYC 9655 and EPYC 9755 processors are not yet officially available for sale, but pictures of these CPUs suggest that they can be obtained by people who are not supposed to have them yet.
AMD's roadmap for future generations shows the Zen 6 architecture expected approximately around 2027, with Zen 5 (Turin) processors occupying the current 2025 timeframe. The formal EPYC 9005-series launch is scheduled for later this year, with AMD possibly announcing more definitive dates later in the year.
In summary, while the exact launch date for AMD's EPYC 'Turin' Zen 5 processors remains uncertain, these powerful server processors are set for availability in 2025. As the tech industry eagerly awaits more information from AMD, early samples of the processors are making their way into the market, offering a tantalising glimpse of what's to come.
The upcoming AMD EPYC 'Turin' processors, based on the Zen 5 microarchitecture, are poised to revolutionize the high-performance computing sector with features like 12-channel DDR5 memory support and PCIe Gen 5 connectivity with CXL capabilities.
Despite no official announcements for a mass-market release, servers equipped with EPYC Turin processors are already being integrated, signaling an impending availability in 2025, as AMD prepares for the formal launch of the EPYC 9005-series processors later this year.
