Overview
AMD has released full pricing for its anticipated next-generation server chips following its initial preview of the EPYC 9006 series, codenamed Venice, and its Zen 6 architecture. The lineup targets data centers with a diverse range of SKUs spanning from eight to 256 cores, with prices ranging from $700 to $14,904.
The Venice lineup is divided into two distinct segments. The flagship SP7 platform is engineered for maximum memory capacity and throughput, supporting up to 16 memory channels with RDIMMs and MDRDIMMs up to DDR5-12800. It also provides up to 96 PCIe 6.0 lanes and accommodates chips with thermal design power ratings between 400W and 600W.
Enterprise configurations on the SP7 socket begin with the 64-core EPYC 9556 priced at $8,008 and peak with the 256-core EPYC 9996 flagship at $14,904. This pricing remains comparable to previous-generation Turin equivalents like the EPYC 9965.
While total costs rise with core counts, the per-core cost decreases significantly across the tier. The 256-core EPYC 9996 calculates to approximately $58.21 per core, whereas the 64-core EPYC 9556 equates to roughly $125.12 per core, offering better per-core value for cloud providers and large enterprises.
Platform Performance
SP7 SKUs support both 1P and 2P configurations. Dual-socket systems enable up to 512 Zen 6 cores by pairing two EPYC 9996 processors on a single motherboard, requiring an investment of $29,808 for the processors alone.
Among the nine SP7 models, the EPYC 9686F and EPYC 9586F feature an "F" suffix indicating maximum boost clock speeds of 5 GHz. This optimization carries a cost premium and a higher thermal envelope, with the 64-core EPYC 9586F priced similarly to the 96-core EPYC 9656 while consuming 100W more power.
SP8 Platform Details
The SP8 platform serves as a more streamlined option for the Venice family, supporting eight-channel memory without MRDIMMs. It expands input-output capabilities by offering 128 PCIe 6.0 lanes, representing a 33% increase over the SP7 platform, alongside lower thermal ratings between 130W and 400W.
Entry-level options on the SP8 platform include the octa-core EPYC 9106 priced at $700, while the top-tier SP8 SKU, the EPYC 9746, delivers 128 Zen 6 cores for $11,679.
The SP8 platform also introduces "P" suffix models dedicated to single-socket systems. These variants match standard performance levels at reduced prices, such as the 128-core EPYC 9736P costing 6% less than its dual-socket counterpart and the 32-core EPYC 9356P priced 26% lower than the standard model.
Specialized configurations include the 16-core EPYC 9176F, which integrates 192MB of L3 cache—four times that of the EPYC 9116—and a 5 GHz boost clock. This configuration is aimed at organizations seeking to minimize software licensing costs tied to core counts.
AMD plans to roll out the SP7 and SP8 platforms in the fourth quarter and the first half of 2027, respectively, though pricing remains subject to change. The company also intends to expand the Venice family later in 2027 with Venice-X models utilizing 3D V-Cache stacking.
