AMD is rumored to launch four new 5000-series processors in March. One of them is already expected: the Ryzen 7 5800X3D with 8 cores and 16 threads, which gets a V-Cache. But there should be three more models: Ryzen 5 5500, Ryzen 5 5600 and Ryzen 5 5700X. In partial reaction to Intel, they are filling holes in AMD’s portfolio. The Ryzen 5 5500 is said to have 6 cores and 6 threads, which is a bit unusual for AMD, but you need an attractively priced alternative to the Core i3 12100. The Ryzen 5 5600 is said to attack the Core i5-12400 and offer 6 cores with 12 thread thread. Finally, the Ryzen 5 5700X with 8 cores and 16 threads, which should be positioned as a cheap alternative to the Core i5-12600KF.

In order to achieve this, AMD will also have to adjust its stake in TSMC. There weren’t any other Ryzen models either, simply because they didn’t have the capabilities and therefore wanted to keep it simple. Especially since APUs still have to be manufactured, part of which disappears as a dedicated chip in consoles, and the other part is used in contracts with OEM partners in laptops and desktops. And then you also have to produce a few graphics chips from the unit, even though you’re already a major customer of TSMC. Larger units, if any, are expensive. It is said that Nvidia paid huge sums to switch from Samsung at 8nm to TSMC at 5nm.

Small CPU models can also continue to be produced when switching to the next generation, which is why the time close to the next generation launch, expected in the fourth quarter, isn’t critical in this case.