According to Extreme Tech, AMD may have been experimenting with different configurations of its stacked L3 memory add-on.

This discovery is intriguing as it deviates significantly from AMD's current 16-core V-Cache CPU design, which employs a "best of both worlds" approach: one chiplet with V-Cache and another with a standard 32MB of L3 cache. The V-Cache chiplet operates at lower clock speeds to manage the additional heat. In comparison, the "naked" chiplet runs at higher speeds, allowing the CPU to adapt to various applications by using the most suitable chiplet.

The discovery of a CPU with V-Cache on both chipsets was a surprise, as AMD reportedly found that too many L3 cache pools could introduce excessive latency in games, undermining the benefits of additional L3 cache for gaming. This unexpected configuration suggests that AMD is pushing the boundaries of CPU design, exploring new possibilities to enhance performance.

AMD's Zen 5 CPUs are on the horizon, and it remains to be seen whether the third-generation V-Cache will maintain a design akin to Zen 4 or if AMD will opt for a new configuration.

The tech community is eagerly anticipating the standard Zen 5 CPUs, expected to launch later this year. The V-Cache variants are likely to be unveiled at CES 2025. This staggered release strategy aims to ensure that the V-Cache models do not overshadow the standard chips' debut.

The future of AMD's V-Cache technology is certainly an exciting prospect, with potential advancements that could redefine CPU performance benchmarks.