One of the reasons for the delay in the release of desktop Ryzen 9000 on the Zen 5 architecture, which AMD announced a few days ago, is a mistake in the names of the chip models on the processor cover.
Image source: Bilibili
In the published video review of the Ryzen 7 9700X processor on the Chinese BiliBili platform, you can see that the name of the chip printed on its heat distribution cover contains an error. Instead of the number “7” indicating the processor series, the number “9” is engraved on the cover. According to the Tom’s Hardware portal, a similar error in labeling is found in the younger Ryzen 5 9600X model. There, instead of the number “5”, the number “9” is also indicated.
It is quite possible that incorrect labeling also affected the retail box of the new Ryzen 9000 processors. However, there is no evidence to support this assumption. In any case, the delay in the release of new chips, apparently, is not due to any production problems or, for example, AMD’s desire to improve the BIOS of motherboards, but to a stupid typo. Perhaps this is why the company turned to its OEM partners and retailers to return the first batches of supplied chips back to the manufacturer.
«During our most recent reviews, we concluded that the small number of pre-packaged Ryzen 9000 series chips that have already been shipped to our channel partners did not fully meet our quality expectations. Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the highest quality experience for every Ryzen user, we are working with our channel partners to replace the first units of processors with new ones,” AMD said in a statement this week.
AMD has delayed the launch of the Ryzen 5 9600X and Ryzen 7 9700X until August 8th. The older models Ryzen 9 9900X and Ryzen 9 9950X are expected to go on sale from August 15. The day before these dates, the first independent reviews of these processors will appear.