AMD experimented with vapor chamber heatspreader design for AMD Ryzen 7000 CPUs

The inclusion of a vapor chamber in the AMD Ryzen 7000 series was a possibility, but ultimately, the company decided against implementing it.

AMD experimenting with vapor chamber IHS for Ryzen 7000, Source: Gamers Nexus

AMD initiated the development of a novel heatspreader design for Zen4, predating the onset of the COVID pandemic. This concept aimed to introduce a concealed vapor chamber within the heatspreader. Gamers Nexus recently disclosed this information after their visit to AMD’s thermal labs, where they were presented with prototypes showcasing this innovation.

The Zen4 “Raphael” AM5 package maintains the same dimensions as the previous generation Ryzen CPUs that utilized the AM4 socket. AMD put forth compelling reasons to support the preservation of the package size, such as ensuring compatibility with existing coolers and facilitating an easier upgrade path for AMD users.

AMD Ryzen 7000 prototype with vapor chamber, Source: Gamers Nexus

AMD has ultimately decided to abandon the implementation of the vapor chamber heatspreader, as the temperature difference between it and the conventional metal design was merely 1°C. Moreover, during extensive testing on pre-release silicon, the temperature occasionally exceeded normal levels under sustained workloads, as confirmed by AMD. The choice of cooler seems to hold greater significance than the integrated heat spreader (IHS), rendering the benefits of vapor chamber technology inconsequential.

This marginal temperature variance proved insufficient to warrant the associated increase in cost, although the precise amount was not disclosed. Notably, a more efficient cooler would easily achieve a similar temperature reduction, prompting AMD to dismiss the idea.

In a revealing video by GamersNexus, access was granted to an AMD laboratory currently engaged in testing early engineering samples. The fate of these samples, whether they will materialize as retail products, remains uncertain. The work undertaken by these engineers plays a vital role in charting the course of the AMD Ryzen series. As demonstrated, certain protracted endeavors do not yield substantial benefits to justify their implementation.

Source via HardwareLuxx: