AMD EPYC 4005 Series: Entry-Level Data Center Server Upgrade

11:07 PM | 13 May 2025

AMD EPYC 4005 Series: Revolutionizing Entry-Level Data Centers

In a significant move for the data center industry, Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) has unveiled its latest generation of EPYC central processing units (CPUs), the EPYC 4005 Series. These chips are designed to bring enhanced performance and efficiency to entry-level data center servers, catering to a wide array of applications from cloud computing to edge artificial intelligence (AI).

Introducing the AMD EPYC 4005 Series

The EPYC 4005 Series comes in three distinct form factors, offering configurations with 8, 12, and 16 cores. This variety allows businesses to select the CPU that best aligns with their specific workload requirements. Unlike the consumer-focused AMD Ryzen CPUs, which are tailored for personal computers and laptops, the EPYC CPUs are engineered for the rigorous demands of data center servers and high-performance workstations.

AMD's EPYC processors are designed to meet the diverse needs of its customer base. The EPYC 4000 Series stands out as the most accessible entry-level option, balancing performance and efficiency for common computing applications. These CPUs are positioned below the more powerful EPYC 7000, 8000, and 9000 Series, which offer greater computing capabilities at a higher price point.

Key Features and Benefits

The EPYC 4005 Series boasts several key features that make it an attractive option for businesses looking to upgrade their data center infrastructure:

AM5 Socket Compatibility: Utilizing the same AM5 socket as the previous generation EPYC 4004 Series, these chips can be seamlessly integrated into existing cloud-based servers, blades, and personal computers.
Varied Core Options: Customers can choose from the 8-core EPYC 4364P, the 12-core EPYC 4464P, and the 16-core EPYC 4565P, providing flexibility to match their specific needs.
Substantial Performance Gains: The EPYC 4565P 16-core CPU offers a 1.55-times increase in processing power compared to its predecessor, the 16-core version of the EPYC 4004 chip.
Competitive Edge: AMD claims a 1.83-times performance increase over Intel Corp.’s equivalent CPU, the Intel Xeon 6300P.

Performance and Applications

The EPYC 4005 Series CPUs are well-suited for a variety of general-purpose cloud workloads. These include software development, high-performance content creation, and edge AI applications.

Software Development

The new CPUs offer accelerated compiling times, making them ideal for software development tasks. Faster compilation can significantly reduce development cycles, allowing teams to iterate more quickly and efficiently.

High-Performance Content Creation

Content creators working with 4K video editing and other demanding tasks will benefit from the increased processing power of the EPYC 4005 Series. These CPUs can handle complex rendering and encoding tasks with ease, ensuring smooth and efficient workflows.

Edge AI Applications

The EPYC 4005 Series is also designed to support a range of edge AI applications, such as computer vision. By bringing AI processing closer to the data source, these CPUs can enable real-time analysis and decision-making, reducing latency and improving overall performance.

Addressing Business Constraints

Derek Dicker, corporate vice president of AMD’s Enterprise and HPC Business Group, emphasized that the new chips are designed to address the common constraints faced by growing businesses, including limited budgets, complexity, and deployment times. The EPYC 4005 Series aims to provide the right balance of performance, simplicity, and affordability, enabling customers and system partners to deploy enterprise-class solutions that solve everyday business challenges.

Industry Partnerships and Availability

The EPYC 4005 Series CPUs are now available in a range of enterprise-grade servers from partners including:

Altos Inc.
Giga-Byte Technology Co., Ltd.
Lenovo Group Ltd.
MiTAC Holdings Corp.
Micro-Star International Co. Ltd. (MSI)
Newegg Commerce Inc.
OVH Groupe SA
Super Micro Computer Inc.
Vultr

Vultr Chief Executive J.J. Kardwell highlighted that customers can access the latest EPYC CPUs via multiple new cloud compute and bare metal instances on his company’s cloud infrastructure platform. He noted that the AMD EPYC 4005 Series provides straightforward deployment, scalability, high clock speed, energy efficiency, and best-in-class performance.

The Future of Entry-Level Data Centers

With the launch of the EPYC 4005 Series, AMD is setting a new standard for entry-level data center servers. By offering a compelling combination of performance, efficiency, and affordability, these CPUs are poised to empower businesses of all sizes to tackle their computing challenges effectively. Whether it's supporting cloud workloads, accelerating software development, or enabling edge AI applications, the EPYC 4005 Series is a versatile and powerful solution for the modern data center.

Detailed Look at the EPYC 4005 Series Specifications

To fully appreciate the capabilities of the AMD EPYC 4005 Series, it's essential to delve into the technical specifications and understand how these features contribute to overall performance and efficiency. This section provides a detailed overview of the key specifications of the EPYC 4005 Series CPUs.

Core and Thread Count

The EPYC 4005 Series offers three primary models, each with a different core and thread count to cater to varying workload demands:

EPYC 4364P: 8 cores / 16 threads
EPYC 4464P: 12 cores / 24 threads
EPYC 4565P: 16 cores / 32 threads

The core count is a critical factor in determining the CPU's ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Higher core counts are beneficial for heavily multithreaded applications and virtualized environments. The thread count, which is typically double the core count due to Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT), further enhances the CPU's multitasking capabilities.

Clock Speeds

Clock speed, measured in GHz, indicates the number of instructions a CPU can execute per second. The EPYC 4005 Series CPUs feature a base clock speed and a boost clock speed. The base clock speed is the standard operating frequency, while the boost clock speed is the maximum frequency the CPU can achieve under optimal conditions.

While specific clock speeds may vary slightly between models, the EPYC 4005 Series is designed to offer competitive clock speeds that balance performance and power consumption. The boost clock speeds ensure that the CPU can handle burst workloads efficiently, providing extra performance when needed.

Cache Memory

Cache memory is a small, fast memory that stores frequently accessed data, allowing the CPU to retrieve information more quickly than accessing main system memory (RAM). The EPYC 4005 Series CPUs feature a multi-level cache hierarchy, including L1, L2, and L3 caches.

L1 Cache: The smallest and fastest cache, used for storing the most frequently accessed data.
L2 Cache: A larger cache than L1, providing a balance between speed and capacity.
L3 Cache: The largest cache, shared by all cores, used for storing less frequently accessed data that is still likely to be needed.

The size and organization of the cache memory play a significant role in the CPU's overall performance. A larger cache can store more data, reducing the need to access slower system memory and improving application responsiveness.

Memory Support

The EPYC 4005 Series CPUs support DDR5 memory, the latest generation of high-speed RAM. DDR5 offers several advantages over its predecessor, DDR4, including higher bandwidth, lower power consumption, and improved reliability.

The memory speed and capacity supported by the EPYC 4005 Series CPUs ensure that the CPU can efficiently access and process large datasets, making it suitable for memory-intensive applications such as database management, scientific computing, and data analytics.

Thermal Design Power (TDP)

Thermal Design Power (TDP) is a measure of the average amount of heat a CPU generates under maximum load. It is an important consideration for system designers, as it determines the cooling requirements for the CPU.

The EPYC 4005 Series CPUs are designed to offer a balance between performance and power efficiency, with TDP values that are appropriate for their target applications. Lower TDP values can reduce cooling costs and improve the overall energy efficiency of the data center.

Integrated Features

In addition to the core specifications, the EPYC 4005 Series CPUs include several integrated features that enhance their functionality and versatility:

Integrated I/O: The CPUs integrate I/O controllers, reducing the need for external components and simplifying system design.
Security Features: The EPYC 4005 Series includes advanced security features, such as Secure Encrypted Virtualization (SEV), which helps protect virtual machines from unauthorized access.
Management Features: The CPUs support remote management and monitoring, allowing administrators to manage and maintain systems efficiently.

Comparative Analysis: EPYC 4005 Series vs. Competitors

To provide a comprehensive understanding of the AMD EPYC 4005 Series, it is essential to compare its specifications and performance against those of its competitors. This section offers a comparative analysis, focusing on key metrics and highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the EPYC 4005 Series relative to competing CPUs.

Performance Benchmarks

Performance benchmarks are standardized tests that measure the performance of a CPU under specific workloads. These benchmarks provide a consistent and objective way to compare different CPUs.

AMD claims that the EPYC 4565P 16-core CPU offers a 1.55-times increase in processing power compared to its predecessor, the 16-core version of the EPYC 4004 chip. Additionally, AMD asserts a 1.83-times performance increase over Intel Corp.’s equivalent CPU, the Intel Xeon 6300P.

Power Efficiency

Power efficiency is a critical consideration for data centers, as it directly impacts operating costs and environmental sustainability. Power efficiency is typically measured in terms of performance per watt, indicating how much performance a CPU can deliver for each unit of power consumed.

The EPYC 4005 Series CPUs are designed to offer a balance between performance and power efficiency. By leveraging advanced manufacturing processes and power management technologies, these CPUs can deliver competitive performance while minimizing power consumption.

Cost-Effectiveness

Cost-effectiveness is a key factor for businesses when selecting CPUs for their data centers. The total cost of ownership (TCO) includes the initial purchase price of the CPU, as well as ongoing costs such as power consumption, cooling, and maintenance.

The EPYC 4005 Series is positioned as an entry-level offering, designed to provide a cost-effective solution for businesses with budget constraints. By offering a compelling combination of performance, efficiency, and affordability, these CPUs can help businesses reduce their TCO and maximize their return on investment.

Market Impact and Future Trends

The launch of the AMD EPYC 4005 Series is expected to have a significant impact on the data center market. By offering a competitive alternative to existing entry-level CPUs, AMD is poised to gain market share and drive innovation in the industry.

Looking ahead, several trends are expected to shape the future of data center CPUs:

Increasing Core Counts: As workloads become more complex and demanding, the demand for CPUs with higher core counts will continue to grow.
Integration of AI Accelerators: The integration of AI accelerators, such as GPUs and FPGAs, into CPUs will become more common, enabling more efficient processing of AI workloads.
Focus on Security: Security will remain a top priority, with CPUs incorporating advanced security features to protect against evolving threats.
Emphasis on Sustainability: As environmental concerns grow, the focus on power efficiency and sustainability will intensify, driving the development of more energy-efficient CPUs.

The AMD EPYC 4005 Series is well-positioned to capitalize on these trends, offering a versatile and future-proof solution for the evolving needs of the data center market.