AMD Delays Ryzen 9000 Launch Due to Typo: Mislabeled Chips Discovered
7/29/2024AMD Delays Ryzen 9000 Launch Due to Typo: Mislabeled Chips Discovered
AMD recently announced a delay in the launch of its Zen 5-powered Ryzen 9000 processors due to an issue with the “packaged product testing process.” A new image of a mislabeled Ryzen processor suggests a primary reason for the delay: a simple one-digit typo.
Mislabeled Chips Uncovered
An unsanctioned review on BiliBili revealed that AMD’s Ryzen 7 9700X was incorrectly marked as a Ryzen 9 9700X. This error, confirmed by multiple sources, also affected Ryzen 5 9600X models, which were mislabeled as Ryzen 9 processors.
Impact on Retail and Re-screening Process
The labeling issue extends to AMD’s retail boxes, necessitating a recall of all shipped processors to correct the markings. AMD has pulled back all Ryzen 9000 units delivered to retailers and OEMs worldwide for re-screening. This process, known as ‘silkscreening,’ involves laser-etching or printing the correct chip markings.
Official Statement and Further Implications
AMD’s official statement highlighted an issue with the packaged product testing process that could result in a small number of parts not meeting quality standards. While the erroneous markings are a significant factor, they may not be the only issue. The impact appears to be limited to certain batches, but it was substantial enough to delay the launch schedule.
Revised Launch Dates
AMD has rescheduled the launch dates as follows:
- Ryzen 7 9700X and Ryzen 5 9600X: August 8
- Ryzen 9 9950X and Ryzen 9 9900X: August 15
Early Signs and Future Updates
There were early signs of issues with AMD’s chip printing presses, as seen in a demo Ryzen 9 9950X with non-standard spacing in the model name. This discovery adds context to the current situation.
We have reached out to AMD for further comments on the mismarked chips. Stay tuned for updates as we learn more about this developing story.
AMD Zen 5 Ryzen 9000 ‘Granite Ridge’ Specifications and Pricing
| Model | Arch | Cores / Threads | Base / Boost Clock (GHz) | Cache (L2/L3) | TDP / PBP / MTP | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 9 9950X | Zen 5 | 16 / 32 | 4.3 / 5.7 | 80MB (16+64) | 170W / 230W | DDR5-5600 |
| Ryzen 9 9900X | Zen 5 | 12 / 24 | 4.4 / 5.6 | 76MB (12+64) | 120W / 162W | DDR5-5600 |
| Ryzen 7 9700X | Zen 5 | 8 / 16 | 3.8 / 5.5 | 40MB (8+32) | 65W / 88W | DDR5-5600 |
| Ryzen 5 9600X | Zen 5 | 6 / 12 | 3.9 / 5.4 | 38MB (6+32) | 65W / 88W | DDR5-5600 |
It would be reassuring if the mislabeled chips were the sole reason for the delay, rather than a more severe manufacturing issue. However, we must remain cautious as this might not be the only factor.
Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story.