AMD's highly anticipated Zen architecture was recently a hot topic on several tech forums. It was rumored that AMD is planning to launch the new technology on Jan. 17. Speculations also surfaced claiming that the first Zen-based microchips will be targeted for high-end desktop computers and that they are expected to be unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas a week before the official launch.

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The rumor started from the Chinese social networking site Baidu after a user claimed to have talked with a person working for Maxon, one of AMD's motherboard manufacturers that is working on the AM4 platform. The user added that the first Zen chips will be released under the SR7 range and will cost somewhere between $200 and $300, according to Digital Trends.

Although AMD has yet to officially confirm this rumor, the company had previously stated that the first Zen-based chips will be released for the high-end desktop platform. Considering the rumored price, the chips are more suited for a mid-ranged setup, although there are other speculations claiming that AMD is also planning to release an overclocked version of the chip, which will cost $500 upwards.

The official performance numbers of the Zen-based chips are still unknown. However, AMD promises that the Zen architecture should put the company's chips in par with that of Intel's high-end products. AMD's octa-core chip with 16 threads is believed to be within the same performance niche as that of the Intel i7 6850K.

Rumors added that lower-end Zen chips and motherboards are expected to hit the market in March. According to KitGuru, AMD will be adopting the SR3, SR5, and SR7 naming schemes for its new chips. Similar to what Intel did with the i3, i5, and i7 brands.

TagsAMD, AMD Zen, zen chips, amd zen release date, amd rumors, zen rumors