We should prepare for new AMD Ryzen processors with more CPU cores than we’ve ever seen across its AM4 and AM5 platforms. According to regular tech leaker HXL (9550pro), AMD’s Zen 6 processors will hit the scene sporting anywhere between six and 12 cores per Core Complex Die (CCD), with room to double totals via dual-CCD designs.
This latest leak from HXL echoes prior Zen 6 rumours, but this is the first time we’ve seen a claim that AMD is working on 10-core CCDs, in addition to designs with six, eight, and 12 cores. Additionally, it looks as though there will be a surprisingly large number of final core configurations.
6 8 10 12
8+8 10+10 12+12— HXL (@9550pro) February 19, 2026
In the X post, HXL lists a whopping total of seven core configurations for Zen 6. As a reminder, the current Ryzen 9000 series only features four – six, eight, 12 (6+6), and 16 (8+8). Should AMD plan to bring all these designs to market, it seems to me that the brand needs to create some additional breathing space in its lineup.
As such, I’m hopeful we could finally see Ryzen 3 CPUs make a comeback. Bar the Ryzen 3 8300G, there hasn’t been a single chip in that budget-focused family since the launch of the AM5 platform. However, the return of this grouping is only worth celebrating if AMD prices them in a manner that lowers the barrier to entry.
| CPU | Cores |
|---|---|
| Ryzen 9 10900X | 12+12 |
| Ryzen 7 10800X | 10+10 |
| Ryzen 7 10700X | 8+8 |
| Ryzen 5 10600X | 12 |
| Ryzen 5 10500X | 10 |
| Ryzen 3 10400X | 8 |
| Ryzen 3 10300X | 6 |
I’ve put together an admittedly optimistic and unorthodox table plotting out a potential model list above. I seriously don’t envy the person in charge of crafting a lineup with all seven potential configurations.
If AMD’s not careful, the company runs the risk of muddying the identity of its desktop processors, much like its current mobile stock. Believe me, no one wants to see a return of the woefully misguided AMD decoder wheel that arrived in tandem with Ryzen 7000-series chips.
Outside of potentially boosting the number of cores and configurations, Zen 6 may prove a game changer in other ways too. For instance, some leakers claims Zen 6 will hit 7GHz, while others say future Zen 6 X3D SKUs will boast up to 240MB of cache.
Whether these changes will be enough to stave off Nova Lake is anyone’s guess. Intel apparently isn’t messing around with its next-generation desktop chips, with rumours pointing to 52-core CPUs running at up to 700W.
As soon as we get an official word on Zen 6, you can expect to find coverage in our Google News feed. Don’t forget to add Club386 to your Google Preferred Sources too, if you’re keen to read more of our tech coverage.
