Intel may not be the only chip maker to offer HBM powered server CPUs as AMD is reportedly planning its own EPYC Genoa variants based on the Zen 4 architecture for bandwidth-bound workloads.

AMD To Answer Intel's Sapphire Rapids Xeon CPUs With Its Own HBM Powered Zen 4 EPYC Genoa CPUs, Alleges Rumor

The rumor comes from Inpact-Hardware who have reportedly received information from their sources that AMD is planning an HBM variant of its upcoming EPYC Genoa CPUs powered by the Zen 4 core architecture. While we have learned much about the standard Genoa CPUs, this is the first time we are hearing of an HBM variant.

There is indeed a recurring question of an HBM version of Zen 4 among partners, but for the moment nothing seems definitively decided on this subject.The manufacturer could indeed reserve such a solution for certain customers or ultimately prefer a variation with3D V-Cache.

via Inpact-Hardware

According to the report, an EPYC CPU with HBM memory is a recurring question among AMD's partners. Intel has already announced its HBM variant of Sapphire Rapids though those chips aren't expected around 2023 (in volume). AMD is reportedly preparing its Milan-X lineup as an intermediate between Zen 3 and Zen 4 which would house 3D chip stacking technology though nothing is clear whether the die stacking is based around CCD's or V-Cache (similar to next-gen Ryzen Zen 3 Desktop CPUs).

It is likely that AMD could offer Milan-X with 3D V-Cache as a showcase of how the low-level cache can help boost performance in bandwidth-bound workloads and ultimately scale it up with more premium HBM options when EPYC Genoa launches. The difference between Milan and Milan-X in terms of launch is around 2-3 quarters and the same timeframe can be expected for an AMD EPYC Genoa lineup with HBM.

What's definitely going to be interesting is AMD's HBM implementation as they can go with either traditional off-die methods or a more next-gen 3D Chip stacking tech. Intel hasn't confirmed what solution it will use for its HBM integration but they are most likely going to utilize their EMIB and Forveros interconnect/packaging technologies to integrated HBM memory on Xeon CPUs. It will be great to see both companies offer HBM server variants to expand their workload portfolio in the HPC segment.

AMD EPYC CPU Families: