AMD EPYC 8005 Sorano Brings Up to 84 Zen 5 Cores

AMD EPYC 8005 Sorano expands the company’s server processor lineup, bringing Zen 5 architecture to a more affordable single-socket platform.

The series includes seven models with between 8 and 84 cores, supports six-channel DDR5-6400 memory, and offers 96 PCIe 5.0 lanes. Maximum single-core boost clock speeds reach 4.5 GHz. Compared to the previous-generation EPYC 8004 Siena, the new processors offer more cores, higher clock speeds, and faster memory.

Flagship With 84 Cores at a 225W TDP

The flagship model, the EPYC 8635P, features 84 cores and 384 MB of L3 cache. It has a thermal design power (TDP) of 225W and reaches an all-core clock speed of up to 3.45 GHz.

This processor is designed for workloads that require high multithreaded performance. However, models with fewer cores may offer greater memory bandwidth and more cache per core, making them attractive for specific types of workloads.

Best Price-to-Performance Ratio: 16- and 24-Core Models

According to ServeTheHome, the 16- and 24-core models offer the best value at their recommended prices, costing less than $50 per core. 

In contrast, the 64-core EPYC 8535P offers a less attractive price-to-core ratio at approximately $86 per core, while the 84-core flagship costs around $69 per core. 

The 32-core EPYC 8325P is also an appealing option for a range of workloads. Ultimately, the best choice depends on the workload, memory and power requirements, and the processor’s actual market price.