AMD plans major changes for its next Ryzen processors with Zen 6 architecture, nicknamed Medusa. These new chips will use two memory controllers instead of one, forcing motherboards to use different memory slots.
Current AM5 motherboards need RAM in the A0 and B0 slots for best performance. The upcoming Medusa chips will work better with RAM in the A1 and B1 slots instead. This change affects how users must install memory, especially on smaller motherboards with only two memory slots.
AMD hopes to make the older slot configuration work eventually, but performance might suffer compared to the new setup. MSI already has a motherboard ready for these new requirements. Most existing AM5 boards should still work with the new processors despite these memory changes.
The Zen 6-based desktop processors arrive next year with more cores and larger cache alongside these memory controller updates. Computer builders might need to pay attention to memory installation guidelines when upgrading to these future chips.
Current AM5 motherboards need RAM in the A0 and B0 slots for best performance. The upcoming Medusa chips will work better with RAM in the A1 and B1 slots instead. This change affects how users must install memory, especially on smaller motherboards with only two memory slots.
AMD hopes to make the older slot configuration work eventually, but performance might suffer compared to the new setup. MSI already has a motherboard ready for these new requirements. Most existing AM5 boards should still work with the new processors despite these memory changes.
The Zen 6-based desktop processors arrive next year with more cores and larger cache alongside these memory controller updates. Computer builders might need to pay attention to memory installation guidelines when upgrading to these future chips.
