New Linux Support for Zen 6 “Low Power” Cores Lines Up with Previous PS6 Handheld Rumour
AMD has submitted a Linux kernel update adding support for new “Low Power” CPU cores as part of its upcoming Zen 6 microarchitecture. These compact core designs, similar to the existing Zen 5c cores introduced in Zen 4, reduce die space while improving power efficiency and enabling longer battery life in laptops and mobile devices. The new cores follow a similar approach to Intel’s Panther Lake LPE (Low Power Engine) cores.
The kernel patch extends x86 topology classification to support this third core type alongside standard and compact variants. While the primary applications appear to be in consumer laptops and mobile computing, tech outlets have speculated the technology could feature in Sony’s rumoured PlayStation 6 handheld console, given AMD’s historical partnership with PlayStation and the constraints of mobile gaming hardware.
The development continues AMD’s strategy of offering multiple core configurations within a single generation, allowing chip designers to optimize performance-per-watt across different device categories and power budgets.