Before Zen 6 even hits store shelves, we’ve already jumped ahead to Zen 9 at least according to the latest leak. Serial tipster Moore’s Law Is Dead claims AMD’s upcoming Zen 8 and Zen 9 CPU architectures not only have codenames but may have their desktop socket platform confirmed too.
Zen 8 and Zen 9 will use AM6 socket
According to the leak, AMD is planning to shift to a new AM6 socket for both Zen 8 and Zen 9 processors. That wouldn’t happen for several more years, as Zen 7 is still expected to ride out on the existing AM5 platform. AMD’s long support cycles for sockets (AM4, anyone?) make this move both surprising and believable.
Still, AM6 feels like a milestone signaling a full architectural leap that could align with a new generation of high-bandwidth memory, faster I/O standards, and AI-first design priorities.
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“Penelope” and “Nemesis” could be the codenames
The leak names “Penelope” as the codename for Zen 8 and “Nemesis” for Zen 9. It’s unclear if these are internal architecture names or full platform labels, but AMD has used similar mythological and sci-fi-style names in the past.
We’re likely years away from seeing either of these reach production, but the codenames offer at least a vague shape of what’s brewing inside AMD’s long-term roadmap.
What we know and what we don’t about AMD’s future
Here’s what the leak hints at:
- Zen 8 codename: Penelope
- Zen 9 codename: Nemesis
- Both may use a new AM6 socket
- AM5 expected to stick around for Zen 7
- Zen 7 will feature a Matrix Engine and AI format expansion
- No current data on process nodes or core counts for Zen 8 or Zen 9
Zen 9 leak lands before GTA VI and that’s saying something
It’s worth remembering: we haven’t even seen Zen 6 launch yet. AMD’s Zen 5-based Ryzen 9000 CPUs are still fairly new, and Zen 6 isn’t expected until late 2026 or early 2027. Official Zen 7 details are sparse, with only a brief nod to a “future node” and some AI-focused improvements.
So, when you hear names like “Penelope” and “Nemesis,” don’t rush to upgrade your board just yet. These chips are probably heading for the 2030s. But if the leak holds up, AMD seems committed to keeping its CPU roadmap just as aggressive as ever one mythological codename at a time.
