AMD Socket AM5 render hits the web

Reputable Twitter leaker ExecutableFix shared more renders of the AMD Socket AM5. This is the new socket that will be used by the future Zen 4-based "Raphael" desktop processors. Unless AMD changes its naming scheme, these 5nm processors will likely launch as the "Ryzen 7000" series. When it will be out is still largely unknown but it's believed to be in the second half of 2022. Raphael will get RDNA2-based integrated graphics and DDR5 memory support.

First up, one of the big changes of Socket AM5 is that it gets rid of the pin grid array (PGA). Gone will be the AMD processors with fragile, bendable pins. The Raphael chips will feature a land grid array with 1718 pins (LGA-1718). Intel switched to LGA in 2004 with the LGA775 socket and this layout is generally favored because it reduces the risk of damaging your CPU during installation.

The render shows AM5’s new locking mechanism. Obviously, there will be no screws like on EPYC CPUs, which are AMD’s only Zen processors using LGA sockets at this moment, but a simple latch and clamp that will keep the CPU in place during installation. AMD’s AM5 socket certainly does looks familiar, especially to Intel HEDT LGA sockets. -- VideoCardz

The photos also shows cut-outs in the internal heatspreader (IHS). According to ExecutableFix, the Raphael IHS has cut-outs to make room for capacitors.

A first look at the AM5 socket, once again in the form of a 3D-render pic.twitter.com/84T6wUjpQ2

— ExecutableFix (@ExecuFix) July 29, 2021