Gigabyte, a motherboard manufacturer, has confirmed the highly-anticipated Ryzen 9000 processors from AMD, revealing the new naming scheme in a recent BIOS release. Other companies such as ASUS and MSI have also hinted at the Ryzen 9000 series in their updates, with ASUS providing the strongest evidence yet by listing Ryzen 9000 in a chipset driver. This suggests that the launch of the new processors is still a few months away, likely late in 2024. However, AMD CEO Dr. Lisa Su is expected to make announcements about new AMD hardware, including the Ryzen 9000 processors, at the upcoming Computex tradeshow in Taiwan.
All current AMD Socket AM5 motherboards will eventually support the Ryzen 9000-series processors, but most will require a BIOS update in order to do so. This is a routine process, and most AMD motherboards come equipped with USB BIOS Flashback, which allows for BIOS updates even without a compatible CPU and with the system powered off. Releasing BIOS updates for future processors in advance is common practice, but it is unusual to see updates being released so early when very little is known about the Ryzen 9000 processors, which may not launch until late 2024.
While AMD’s task of launching new processors is relatively simpler compared to Intel, which is also introducing an entirely new processor socket with its new range of processors, AMD may still need to refresh its range of motherboards and chipsets to support the Ryzen 9000 processors. Releasing Ryzen 9000-compatible BIOS versions well in advance will ensure that most Socket AM5 motherboards, especially used ones, will be compatible with the new processors, thus facilitating a smooth transition for users. However, buyers should be cautious and ensure that they purchase compatible motherboards, especially if buying second-hand.
Overall, the confirmation of the Ryzen 9000 processors and the ongoing BIOS updates for Socket AM5 motherboards indicate that AMD is gearing up for a significant hardware release in the near future. The Computex tradeshow in Taiwan is expected to provide more information about the Ryzen 9000 processors and other AMD hardware, with CEO Dr. Lisa Su scheduled to deliver the opening keynote. As more details emerge, consumers can stay updated by following media outlets like Forbes for the latest PC hardware news and reviews.