AMD May Launch Ryzen 5 9600 Non-X Variant in Late January 2025

AMD is gearing up to expand its CPU lineup in early 2025, with recent leaks and rumors pointing to an exciting addition. A well-known leaker has now hinted that the Ryzen 5 9600 could debut by late January.

A New Entry-Level Ryzen 9000 Series CPU

The Ryzen 5 9600 is expected to be a non-X variant, positioned as an entry-level option in the Ryzen 9000 series. This information comes from Hoang Anh Phu, who cryptically shared “Ryzen 5 9600 Late January,” without revealing further details about the processor.

While specifics are scarce, AMD’s typical approach provides some clues. The Ryzen 5 9600 is likely to feature reduced clock speeds compared to its X counterpart, offering a more affordable choice without compromising much on performance. Historically, other specifications remain consistent, though AMD has sometimes introduced architectural differences between X and non-X models.

Could Architecture Updates Be on the Horizon?

VideoCardz has speculated that AMD might use distinct architectures for the Ryzen 5 9600 and its X variant, as seen with previous generations. If AMD incorporates Strix Point for the non-X model, it could result in changes to cache configurations or other features.

Additionally, rumors suggest AMD is planning to launch two high-end Ryzen 9000 CPUs with 3D V-Cache in January—the Ryzen 9 9900X3D and Ryzen 9 9950X3D. If true, this would see AMD simultaneously refreshing the series at both the entry-level and flagship tiers, bringing the total number of Ryzen 9000 SKUs to eight.

These potential launches could give AMD a strong start to 2025, catering to both budget and high-performance markets.