AMD unveiled its next-generation EPYC "Verano" server CPU at the 2026 OCP Global Summit, revealing it will support up to 192 cores and become the first EPYC chip to use LPDDR5X memory via SOCAMM2 modules. Built for agentic AI racks alongside AMD's upcoming Instinct MI500 GPUs, Verano is targeted for availability in 2027.
AMD showed off its next-generation EPYC "Verano" server CPU during CEO Dr. Lisa Su's keynote at the 2026 OCP Global Summit, positioning it as a dedicated AI-host processor rather than a general-purpose server chip. According to TechPowerUp, Verano sits within the EPYC 9006 "LP" family and is built on the same TSMC 2 nm process as the already-launched EPYC "Venice," but it's optimized specifically for agentic AI workloads and will run on a new SP8 platform instead of Venice's SP7.
The headline change is core count: AMD initially indicated Verano would top out at 72 cores on a single-socket platform, but that figure has now been revised upward to as many as 192 cores, which Wccftech notes could mean either a single large chip or a dual 96-core configuration. Analysis of the chip shown at the event, reported by System360Cheese on X, points to eight Zen 6 CCDs paired with two large IO dies and four LPDDR5X memory controllers — with CCDs appearing smaller than Venice's Zen 6C dies, suggesting standard 12-core Zen 6 chiplets rather than the denser 32-core Zen 6C variant.
Verano will be the first EPYC processor to support LPDDR5X memory through SOCAMM2 modules, a move that mirrors NVIDIA's Vera CPU approach and reflects a broader industry shift toward SOCAMM2 for high-bandwidth, power-efficient memory in dense AI deployments. AMD plans to pair Verano with its own Instinct MI500 GPUs via xGMI connectivity running at up to 112 Gbps, integrating it into the previously revealed Helion agentic AI rack design built on Open Compute Project specifications.
Dr. Su described Verano as "the next step in AMD's CPU roadmap for the AI era," and the announcement comes as AMD, NVIDIA, Intel, Qualcomm, and Arm all race to roll out AI-optimized server chips. Su also cited projections that server CPU demand will grow 50% by 2030 to hit $200B, underscoring the stakes behind Verano's 2027 target launch.
What We Know
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Core Count | Up to 192 cores (previously stated as up to 72 on 1P platform) |
| Architecture | Zen 6, built on TSMC 2 nm process |
| Family | EPYC 9006 "LP" family |
| Memory | First EPYC CPU with LPDDR5X via SOCAMM2 modules |
| Platform | SP8 (vs. Venice's SP7) |
| GPU Pairing | Instinct MI500 GPUs via xGMI at up to 112 Gbps |
| Chip Layout | Eight Zen 6 CCDs, two large IO dies, four LPDDR5X memory controllers |
| Availability | Targeted for 2027 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cores will AMD EPYC Verano have?
AMD has stated Verano will support up to 192 cores, an increase from its earlier figure of up to 72 cores on a single-socket platform. This could be a single large chip or a dual 96-core configuration.
What makes EPYC Verano different from EPYC Venice?
Verano is optimized for agentic AI workloads and is the first EPYC CPU to support LPDDR5X memory via SOCAMM2 modules. It also runs on a new SP8 platform, whereas Venice uses SP7, though both are built on Zen 6 and TSMC's 2 nm process.
When will AMD EPYC Verano be available?
According to TechPowerUp and Wccftech, availability is targeted for 2027.
What GPUs will EPYC Verano be paired with?
AMD plans to pair Verano with its Instinct MI500 GPUs via xGMI connectivity at speeds up to 112 Gbps for use in agentic AI racks.
