AMD is one of the best companies in the world when it comes to CPUs. These days geting to know AMD and their offerings is a must. In this article we will fully explain AMD’s naming scheme and you will be able to spot good CPUs just from checking the name! Intel is a big company too, and when you buy a processor you will need to know how Intel names its procssors in order to be able to compare between CPUs from different brands, don’t worry we made a detailed guide on Intel’s naming scheme too.
AMD Ryzen™ Naming Scheme
Let’s take an example here: Ryzen 9 5900X
Brand
The name starts with the name of the brand, Ryzen, which offers better performance than AMD Athlon™ and an affordable price compared to AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™.
Family
After the brand name there is the family which is 9 in this case. (Ryzen 9 5900X)
Ryzen 3 processors are a perfect budget choice, they come in dual core and quad core versions; which makes them good for light tasks. However, you can still do some casual gaming with the high-end Ryzen 3 chips. This family of CPUs competes with Intel’s Core i3 processors.
Ryzen 5 processors are the mainstream, they come in quad core and hexa core vesions. They are the best choice for everyday use and even gaming. There is an ongoing competition between Ryzen 5 and Core i5.
Ryzen 7, High end processors, they come in quad core and octa core versions. Users who seek high performance, tech enthusiasts and video editors will be amazed by the performance of Ryzen 7 CPUs. Core i7 processors always compete with Ryzen 7.
Ryzen 9 procesors give the best performance in the Ryzen brand, they come in octa core, 10-cores, 12-cores and even 16-cores versions. Content creators and streamers who want to get the most out of their PCs are people who will be satisfied by the performance of Ryzen 9 CPUs. You can compare Ryzen 9 to Core i9.
Generation Indicator
The first number after the brand and the family of the CPU, it is used to tell us the generation of the CPU. In our example the generation indicator is 5. Does that mean that the Ryzen 9 5900X is a 5th generation processor? No, AMD gives each genration a unique name and number, we will get to that later. As a general rule, the higher the generation the better the CPU.
Performance Level
The generation indicator is followed by a number that represents the performance level of the CPU. In our example (Ryzen 9 5900X) the performance level is 9. The higher the number the better the performance.
Model Number
After the performance level there are 2 numbers that identify the model of the CPU. Newer CPUs with improved performance have a higher model number. So,
Ryzen 9 5950X is an improved and newer version of our example Ryzen 9 5900X.
Suffix
The last thing that you may find in the name of the processor is a suffix. AMD uses a suffix as a way of sorting its processors into categories. Below is a list of these suffixes.
| Suffix | Meaning |
|---|---|
| (No suffix) | Some desktop CPUs don’t have a suffix |
| G | APUs designed for desktops. |
| GE | APUs designed for desktops, but with lower TDP. |
| X | High performance desktop CPU which can also boost its clock speed with a feature called EFR (Extended Frequency Range), it isn’t an APU so in order to use the PC you must buy a graphics card |
| XT | They are the same as X-series CPUs but with higher clock speeds and better performance. |
| X3D | These desktop CPUs support AMD’s 3D V-Cache technology which basically allows the CPU to have more L3 cache memory. Unlike other Ryzen desktop CPUs, the X3D-series doesn’t support overclocking. |
| C | AMD’s 3000 C-series has provided entry-level CPUs for laptops while its newer 5000 C-series offers higher-tier CPUs with much better performance. It’s an APU. |
| H | High performance mobile CPU, an APU. |
| HS | High performance mobile CPU with low TDP which means less performance compared to H or HX processors, an APU. |
| HX | Highest performance mobile CPUs, recommended for gaming, an APU. |
| U | Low performance and TDP mobile CPUs to extend battery life and to reduce cooling needs, an APU. |
What Is an APU
An APU is a CPU that has integrated graphics, that is the reason why you might see them being called CPUs because they are a type of CPUs. All laptops have APUs, however for desktops you can choose to buy an APU or a CPU. APUs are a great solution for everyday use, they aren’t the best for video editing but they can get the job done as long as you don’t use the highest settings.
Ryzen Generations, Learn How AMD Names Its Generations
We mentioned earlier that a Ryzen 9 5900X isn’t a 5th gen CPU, Why is that? Because, AMD chooses to skip some numbers when they name their genrations. Below is a list of generation names for CPUs (CPUs don’t have a suffix or they have X, XT or X3D as a suffix):
- 1st generation (Zen): Ryzen 1000 series
- Launched in: 2017
- Example: Ryzen 5 1600X
- 2nd generation (Zen+): Ryzen 2000 series
- Launched in: 2018
- Example: Ryzen 5 2600X
- 3rd generation (Zen 2): Ryzen 3000 series
- Launched in: 2019
- Example: Ryzen 5 3600XT
- 4th generation (Zen 3): Ryzen 5000 series
- Launched in: 2020
- Example: Ryzen 5 5600X
- 5th generation (Zen 4): Ryzen 7000 series
- Launched in: 2022
- Example: Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Generation Names For APUs
The numbers for desktop APUs (APUs have G or GE as a suffix) are slightly different from CPUs as shown below:
- 1st generation (Zen): Ryzen 2000 series
- Launched in: 2017
- Example: Ryzen 5 2400G
- 2nd generation (Zen+): Ryzen 3000 series
- Launched in: 2018
- Example: Ryzen 5 3400G
- 3rd generation (Zen 2): Ryzen 4000 series
- Launched in: 2019
- Example: Ryzen 5 4600G
- 4th generation (Zen 3): Ryzen 5000 series
- Launched in: 2020
- Example: Ryzen 5 5600G
Generation Names For Mobile APUs
As for mobile APUs (they have C, H, HS, HX or U as a suffix), their generation numbers are almost the same as desktop APUs:
- 1st generation (Zen): Ryzen 2000 series (Raven Ridge)
- Launched in: 2017-2018
- Example: Ryzen 5 2600H
- 1st generation (Zen): Ryzen 3000 series (Dalí)
- Launched in: 2019-2020
- Example: Ryzen 3 3250U
- 2nd generation (Zen+): Ryzen 3000 series (Picasso)
- Launched in: 2019-2020
- Example: Ryzen 5 3580U
- 3rd generation (Zen 2): Ryzen 4000 series (Renoir)
- Launched in: 2020-2021
- Example: Ryzen 5 4600H
- 3rd generation (Zen 2): Ryzen 5000 series (Lucienne)
- Launched in: 2021
- Example: Ryzen 5 5500U
- 4th generation (Zen 3): Ryzen 5000 series (Cezanne 2021 & Barceló 2022)
- Launched in: 2021-2022
- Example: Ryzen 5 5600HS
- (Zen 3+): Ryzen 6000 series (Rembrandt)
- Launched in: 2022
- Example: Ryzen 5 6600HS
Confusion… that might be the first word to click your head after looking at generation names for mobile APUs. Well, we can’t blame you for being confused, honestly AMD could have done a better job at making their naming scheme simple. So, we have Ryzen 2000 series (Raven Ridge) and Ryzen 3000 series (Dalí) both are 1st gen APUs, also we have Ryzen 4000 series (Renoir) and Ryzen 5000 series (Lucienne) both are 3rd gen APUs.
So, what is the solution? You can use the list above as an informative list. Below is a more practical list that will actually be useful:
- 1st generation (Zen): Ryzen 2000 series
- Launched in: 2017-2018
- Example: Ryzen 5 2600H
- 2nd generation (Zen+): Ryzen 3000 series
- Launched in: 2019-2020
- Example: Ryzen 5 3580U
- 3rd generation (Zen 2): Ryzen 4000 series
- Launched in: 2020-2021
- Example: Ryzen 5 4600H
- 4th generation (Zen 3): Ryzen 5000 series
- Launched in: 2021-2022
- Example: Ryzen 5 5600HS
- (Zen 3+): Ryzen 6000 series
- Launched in: 2022
- Example: Ryzen 5 6600HS
From here things went downhill for AMD’s naming scheme. They changed the naming scheme for laptop chips and made it so confusing that we need a whole seperate post to explain it (coming soon).
General Notes About Confusion In Names
Now if you are asking why would they would they release Zen 3+ (6000 series) for mobile and then release Zen 4 (7000 series) for desktop, skipping the Zen 3+. The reason is that at the time of releasing the new mobile gen CPUs Zen 3+ (early 2022) they didn’t really consider it an upgrade from the last architecture; so they named it Zen 3+. But, when they released the new gen desktop CPUs (late 2022) it was the real upgrade so they named it Zen 4.
As for the change in the naming scheme for mobile processors, AMD made a new naming scheme with the intention to give you as much information as possible when you look at the name. The problem is that it’s totally different from what the average consumer is used to which will cause a lot of unnecessary confusion.
AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ Naming Scheme
Let’s take an example here: Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX
- Brand:
AMD Ryzen Threadripper is a brand that offeres HEDT (High-End Desktop) CPUs, with the goal of providing workstation-level performance. Most recent threadripper CPUs have PRO in their brand name, we will get to that later in this article.
- Genration Indicator:
Just as Ryzen, the first number after the brand and the family of the CPU, it is used to tell us the generation of the CPU. In our example the generation indicator is 5. Does that mean that the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX is a 5th generation processor? No, AMD gives each genration a unique name and number, we will get to that later. As a general rule, the higher the generation the better the CPU.
- Performance Level:
The generation indicator is followed by a number that represents the performance level of the CPU. In our example (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX) the performance level is 9. The higher the number the better the performance.
- Model Number:
After the performance level there are 2 numbers that identify the model of the CPU. Newer CPUs with improved performance have higher model number. So,
Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX is an improved and newer version of our example (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX)
- Suffix:
The last thing that you may find in the name of the processor is a suffix. AMD uses a suffix as a way of sorting its processors into categories.
Ryzen Threadripper CPUs only come in one of 2 suffixes, X or WX.
Suffixes Used In Ryzen Threadripper Naming
X is the suffix that was used in the first 2 generations, AMD says that X CPUs are good for gamers and enthusiasts, however the Ryzen Threadripper brand itself is considered an overkill for gaming. So, we wouldn’t recommend buying an X CPU for gaming.
How about workstation performance? A few years ago they were an excellent choice, but since AMD stopped producing them afer the 2nd gen we would recommend buying a WX CPU since its more recent.
WX is a suffix that AMD started using from Ryzen Threadripper’s 2nd gen and they are still using this suffix till now. When it first came out it was considered an upgrade from X CPUs to give better performance. Then, it became the only suffex being used for threadripper after AMD stopped producing CPUs with the X suffix.
Side note: all threadripper CPUs aren’t APUs, which means they don’t come with integrated graphics.
Ryzen Threadripper Generations
- 1st generation (Zen): Ryzen Threadripper 1000 series
- Launched in: 2017
- Example: Ryzen Threadripper 1950X
- 2nd generation (Zen+): Ryzen Threadripper 2000 series
- Launched in: 2018
- Example: Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX
- 3rd generation (Zen 2): Ryzen Threadripper 3000 series
- Launched in: 2020
- Example: Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3995WX
- 4th generation (Zen 3): Ryzen Threadripper 5000 series
- Launched in: 2022
- Example: Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX
What Is PRO?
You’ve probably seen a Ryzen PRO CPU, and that made you wonder, what is PRO? A PRO CPU is the same as a non-PRO CPU, the only difference is that PRO processors have features like improved security that improve business performance. Each one of the brands we mentioned, Ryzen, Ryzen Threadripper and Athlon have their own pro versions. As for the naming scheme, PRO CPUs have the same naming scheme that non-PRO CPUs of the same brand have.
Hope this was helpful, if you will buy a new CPU, consider checking our guide on choosing a CPU.
