AMD could finally break its 16-core limit with the next generation of Ryzen desktop processors. A new rumor from reliable tipster HXL points to a Ryzen 10000 lineup ranging from budget 6-core chips to flagship 24-core monsters.
The Zen 6-based “Olympic Ridge” series would be the first time AMD offered more than 16 cores to mainstream desktop buyers. That shifts the company’s position vis-à-vis Intel.
Seven SKUs and a new chiplet design
According to reports, the Ryzen 10000 family will include seven configurations spread across single and dual CCD designs. Single-chiplet chips are said to be available in 6-core, 8-core, 10-core and 12-core variants. For high-end SKUs, AMD is reportedly doubling down on options to offer 16-core (8+8), 20-core (10+10), and 24-core (12+12).
This is a big change. From the first Ryzen to the Zen 5, AMD has relied on 8-core CCDs as a building block. By moving to 12-core chiplets, the company can scale without having to stack three or four chips. Each new CCD is said to have 48MB of L3 cache, giving the flagship model without X3D a total of 96MB.
What Zen 6 offers
Beyond the core boost, Zen 6 is expected to deliver IPC gains and higher clock speeds. This means that these chips could be noticeably faster than the current Ryzen 9000 series, even with a similar number of cores.
The post also suggests that the new processors will work on existing AM5 motherboards. Anyone with a current build has a clear upgrade path without replacing boards. That’s in contrast to Intel, where next-generation chips often require new platforms.
Still, the gap in core numbers between the two rivals could widen. Current rumors suggest that Intel’s Nova Lake flagship will reach 52 cores, making AMD’s 24-core cap seem modest.
What you should pay attention to before buying
None of this is official. AMD hasn’t confirmed the Ryzen 10000 beyond the Olympic Ridge codename and Intel hasn’t even released its Arrow Lake update yet, so take the rumors with patience.
But if they pass, AMD’s lineup offers a flexible range from entry-level to professionals who can actually use 24 cores. The bigger question is how Zen 6 stacks up against Nova Lake when both arrive.
If you currently sit on an AM5 board, the path forward looks clearer than it did yesterday. Maybe wait until prices stabilize before upgrading RAM.
