AMD launched its 6th Gen EPYC server processors, the EPYC 9006 Series (code name "Venice"), on July 23, 2026, and lists them on new SP7 and SP8 platforms rather than the SP5 platform used by EPYC 9004 and 9005. For buyers, that means Venice arrives as a new server generation, not a processor upgrade for servers you already own, while EPYC 9004, 9005 and 7003 servers stay the practical choice for most refurbished and used purchases.
What AMD announced
- May 21, 2026: AMD said it had started the production ramp of "Venice" in Taiwan on TSMC's 2nm process, with plans to also ramp at TSMC's Arizona facility.
- July 23, 2026: At its Advancing AI 2026 event, AMD launched the 6th Gen EPYC CPUs. AMD now sells them as the EPYC 9006 Series.
- October 2026: AMD named Meta as a lead customer for 6th Gen EPYC and said rack systems built on these processors are planned to be available in November 2026.
AMD's published figures for the EPYC 9006 Series:
- Up to 256 cores and 512 threads (the EPYC 9996), with a mix of "Zen 6" and "Zen 6c" cores.
- Up to 16 memory channels with MRDIMM support at 12.8 GT/s.
- PCIe Gen 6.
- Boost frequencies up to 5 GHz on select models.
- Versions listed as EPYC 9006 SP7, EPYC 9006 SP8 and EPYC 9006X SP7.
- A new power rating: from this generation on, AMD states "Default CPU Power" in place of TDP.
AMD has not published a general availability date for individual processors or a list of servers from each manufacturer. Ask your server maker which models and dates apply in your region.
How the generations compare
All values are from AMD's product pages. For the older generations, the EPYC 7763, 9654 and 9965 are used as examples of their series.
| EPYC 7003 | EPYC 9004 | EPYC 9005 | EPYC 9006 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launch | March 15, 2021 | November 10, 2022 | October 10, 2024 | July 23, 2026 |
| Platform | SP3 | SP5 | SP5 | SP7, SP8 |
| Memory | DDR4, 8 channels, up to 3200 MT/s | DDR5, 12 channels, up to 4800 MT/s | DDR5, 12 channels, up to 6400 MT/s (OEM enablement needed) | Up to 16 channels, MRDIMM up to 12.8 GT/s |
| PCIe | PCIe 4.0, 128 lanes | PCIe 5.0, 128 lanes | PCIe 5.0, 128 lanes | PCIe Gen 6 |
| Most cores | 64 (EPYC 7763) | 96 (EPYC 9654) | 192 (EPYC 9965) | 256 (EPYC 9996) |
AMD's EPYC 9006 pages do not state DDR5 RDIMM speeds, PCIe lane counts or CXL support. We left those out rather than guess.
What it means for buyers
Existing SP5 servers. EPYC 9004 and 9005 both list SP5 as their platform. EPYC 9006 does not. Plan on Venice as new servers, not as a processor swap in an SP5 system. If you want more cores in an SP5 server today, an EPYC 9005 processor may be an option; your server maker's list of supported processors and BIOS versions decides that.
Memory. EPYC 9004 and 9005 servers use DDR5 registered DIMMs on 12 channels. AMD markets EPYC 9006 with MRDIMMs. Do not assume memory from an SP5 server will work in a Venice server; check the new server's memory configuration guide.
Drives and network cards. PCIe 5.0 drives and adapters work in PCIe Gen 6 slots, but at the lower speed of either side. You do not need PCIe Gen 6 parts to move to a Venice server, and Gen 6 parts give no gain in a PCIe 5.0 or 4.0 server.
Refurbished EPYC servers. EPYC 7003 (SP3, DDR4, PCIe 4.0) and EPYC 9004 (SP5, DDR5, PCIe 5.0) servers remain a common way to add capacity at a lower cost than new. When large buyers move to a new generation, more of the earlier generation tends to reach the refurbished market. For EPYC 7003 systems, budget for DDR4 memory, which does not fit DDR5 servers.
A quick checklist
- List your EPYC servers by model, processor series and platform (SP3 or SP5).
- For SP5 servers you plan to keep, check your server maker's supported processor list for EPYC 9005 and the BIOS it needs.
- For new capacity, decide between a new EPYC 9006 server and a refurbished EPYC 9004 or 7003 server, based on the workload, budget and support term you need.
- Match memory to the platform: DDR4 for SP3, DDR5 RDIMM for SP5, and the memory guide of the specific server for SP7 or SP8.
- Ask your server maker for EPYC 9006 model availability and lead times before you plan around them.
How we can help
We supply new, refurbished and used EPYC servers, plus the DDR4 and DDR5 server memory, drives, network adapters and processors to upgrade or repair them. Send us the server model and part numbers, or a list of what you need, and we reply within 1 business day with pricing, condition options and lead time. Browse servers, server memory and server components, or read our server memory guide and new vs refurbished vs used.
Sources
- AMD: AMD Announces Production Ramp of Next-Generation AMD EPYC Processor "Venice" on TSMC 2nm Process Technology (May 21, 2026)
- AMD: AAI 2026: AMD Delivers Full-Stack Compute for the Agentic AI Era (July 23, 2026)
- AMD: Introducing AMD Helion, Agentic AI Compute at Rack Scale (October 12, 2026)
- AMD: AMD and Meta Advance Strategic Partnership to Power Meta's Superintelligence Infrastructure (October 27, 2026)
- AMD: AMD EPYC 9006 Series server CPUs
- AMD: AMD EPYC 9965 specifications
- AMD: AMD EPYC 9654 specifications
- AMD: AMD EPYC 7763 specifications
Dates and requirements as published by the manufacturers on November 2, 2026. Check the linked pages for any later changes.