AMD makes EPYC 9006 processors available, launches embedded line

AMD says its sixth-generation EPYC 9006 server processors are generally available, while the company has also announced a separate embedded 9006 lineup for long-life systems. The regular processors use AMD’s Zen 6 architecture and the SP7 socket; cloud services based on the chips remain at different stages of availability.

AMD says the regular EPYC 9006 family reaches 256 cores and 512 threads per socket, with memory bandwidth of up to 1.6 terabytes per second. The company lists speeds of up to 5.3 gigahertz for 96-core configurations. Its EPYC 9996 flagship was listed at $14,904 per processor for orders of 1,000 units as of November 5, a price that does not include a complete server.

Cloud access has not yet reached general availability. Microsoft’s Azure HDv2 virtual machines using the processors are in preview, while Oracle has said its upcoming Compute E7 instances will use them. Neither company has announced a general-availability date for those offerings.

AMD’s separate EPYC Embedded 9006 series also uses the SP7 platform and offers up to 256 cores. Its announced specifications include 16-channel DDR5 memory, 96 PCIe Gen 6 lanes and support for CXL 3.1. AMD is positioning...