AMD Unveils 5th Gen EPYC Embedded Processors: Powering the Future of Networking, Storage, and Industrial Edge Computing
In a groundbreaking announcement, AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) has expanded its x86 embedded processor portfolio with the introduction of the 5th Gen AMD EPYC™ Embedded processors, designed to redefine performance, efficiency, and reliability for networking, storage, and industrial edge systems. Built on the proven “Zen 5” architecture, these processors deliver leadership performance and energy efficiency while addressing the growing demands of AI-driven network traffic, data storage, and industrial edge computing.
Leadership in Core Density, Performance, and Energy Efficiency
The AMD EPYC Embedded 9005 Series processors are engineered to meet the needs of compute-intensive embedded systems, offering core counts ranging from 8 to 192 cores in a single socket. This industry-leading core density translates into significant performance gains, delivering up to 1.3X and 1.6X increases in data processing throughput for networking and storage workloads, respectively. These capabilities make the processors ideal for applications such as network security firewalls, storage systems, and industrial control platforms.
Leveraging the new “Zen 5c” core architecture, the 9005 Series achieves higher throughput with remarkable energy efficiency. Compared to competitors, it offers an estimated 1.3X increase in socket throughput and 1.3X better performance per watt, ensuring faster and more efficient data processing. Additionally, support for up to 6TB of DDR5 memory per socket and expanded I/O connectivity—up to 160 PCIe® Gen5 lanes with CXL® 2.0—enables high-speed data transfers and storage capacity expansion, making these processors a perfect fit for modern networking and storage applications.
Purpose-Built Features for Embedded Markets
The AMD EPYC Embedded 9005 Series is not just about raw performance; it also includes a suite of advanced features tailored specifically for embedded markets:
Extended Longevity
To address the longer product lifecycles required in embedded systems, AMD provides 7-year product manufacturing support for the EPYC Embedded 9005 Series. This extended support helps system designers ensure long-term product availability, reducing the need for costly redesigns and qualifications. Furthermore, AMD plans to extend the design lifetime operation targets from 5 years for sampling SKUs to 7 years for production SKUs, ensuring stability and reliability for mission-critical applications in harsh environments.
System Resiliency and Security
The processors include robust features like Non-Transparent Bridging (NTB), which enhances system redundancy and failover capabilities in fault-tolerant multi-host configurations. NTB enables seamless data exchange between two CPUs via PCI Express (PCIe®), ensuring uninterrupted operations even in the event of a failure. Another key feature, DRAM Flush, prevents data loss during power failures by flushing DRAM contents to non-volatile memory. Additionally, Dual SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) allows customers to load secure and proprietary bootloaders, ensuring a trusted execution environment.
Ease of Application Development
AMD simplifies embedded system deployments with built-in support for the Yocto framework, enabling developers to create custom Linux distributions tailored to specific use cases. Tools like SPDK (Storage Performance Development Kit) and DPDK (Data Plane Development Kit) further enhance performance by handling data processing for network and storage workloads in user-space drivers.
Industry Support and Strategic Partnerships
AMD is collaborating closely with ecosystem partners, ODMs, and OEMs—including industry leaders like Cisco and IBM—to bring the benefits of these next-generation embedded processors to market.
“We chose the AMD EPYC Embedded 9005 Series processor for one of our high-end firewall products because it delivers the high compute performance we need—from scalability up to 192 cores to high memory and I/O bandwidth,” said Lukasz Bromirski, Director of Product Management at Cisco. “We know we can count on AMD for great performance, cutting-edge quality, and consistent roadmap execution.”
Similarly, Matthew Geiser, Product Management Lead at IBM Storage for Data, AI, and HPC, highlighted the value of these processors: “The IBM Storage Scale System 6000 is designed to deliver speed, performance, and reliability for demanding enterprise AI workloads. The AMD EPYC Embedded 9005 processors introduce redundant paths for high data availability and robust connectivity options, perfectly complementing performance-intensive applications running on IBM Storage Scale System.”
Driving Innovation in Embedded Systems
AI-driven network traffic, exploding data storage requirements, and the expansion of industrial edge computing are driving demand for higher compute performance in embedded platforms. According to Salil Raje, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Adaptive and Embedded Computing at AMD, “5th Gen AMD EPYC Embedded processors bring leadership performance and efficiency to embedded customers, along with the long product lifecycles and enhanced system resiliency they rely on to design confidently and ensure continuous operations in demanding ‘always-on’ environments.”
These processors empower industries to process more data faster and with greater efficiency, enabling seamless innovation across networking, storage, and industrial edge applications.
Availability and Compatibility
The AMD EPYC Embedded 9005 Series processors are currently sampling with early access customers, with production shipments expected to begin in Q2 2025. Designed for compatibility, these processors come in the SP5 socket form factor, which is backward-compatible with the previous generation AMD EPYC Embedded 9004 Series. This ensures a simple upgrade path for customers, minimizing disruptions and maximizing investment returns.
Conclusion: Pioneering the Next Era of Embedded Computing
With the launch of the 5th Gen AMD EPYC Embedded processors, AMD continues to lead the charge in delivering cutting-edge solutions for the embedded market. By combining unparalleled performance, energy efficiency, and purpose-built features, these processors empower businesses to tackle the challenges of modern networking, storage, and industrial edge computing head-on. Whether you’re designing next-generation firewalls, scaling storage systems, or deploying industrial control applications, the AMD EPYC Embedded 9005 Series sets a new standard for innovation and reliability.
Stay tuned for updates as AMD rolls out these transformative processors, paving the way for smarter, faster, and more resilient embedded systems. For more information, visit AMD’s official website and explore how the 5th Gen AMD EPYC Embedded processors can elevate your embedded solutions.
