Counting only AMD's mainstream desktop CPU family, buyers can choose from eight different Zen 2 models, ranging from the 4-core/8-thread Ryzen 3 3100 to the 16-core/32-thread Ryzen 9 3950X. Now, while we wait for AMD's Zen 3 to knock our socks off, there is growing evidence that more Zen 2 CPUs are on the way, in what could be a short-term refresh.

Intel just announced its new Comet Lake CPU for desktops, and there are rumors that two new AMD Zen 2 models will be announced next month. as Videocardz discovered, there are two pieces of evidence that suggest a Zen 2 refresh. the more reliable of the two is the AMD Zen 2. The less reliable of the two is a Twitter post by a user claiming to have received the information from a source within AMD.

According to this user, AMD plans to announce the Ryzen 7 3750X and Ryzen 7 3850X, which appear to be refreshes of two existing models. The date in the tweet refers to the release of a new AMD B550 motherboard; this is actually not the first time the name 3750X has appeared: as Anandtech discovered, it was mentioned in an AMD document accidentally released in September 2019.

No mention is made of the specifications of these new chips. For reference, the existing 3700X is an 8-core/16-thread CPU with a base clock of 3.6 GHz, a boost clock up to 4.4 GHz, and a TDP of 65 W. The 3800X has the same number of cores and threads, but 3.9 GHz to 4.5 GHz and a 105 W TDP.

We do not know if this information is legitimate, but it seems plausible based on AMD's documentation from last year. Another source adds a bit more evidence: Gigabyte.

This is also unconfirmed information, but a slide supposedly pulled from the B550 press kit from Aorus (Gigabyte's gaming brand) shows AMD's Ryzen 3000 (Zen 2) series The "Refresh" toward which it is headed is highlighted. It also mentions the unannounced Ryzen 4000G series APUs (CPUs with onboard graphics) that have been the subject of many leaks and rumors.

The 3700X currently sells for about $294 and the 3800X for about $336 (both Newegg). Unless prices come down, the 3750X and 3850X, if they are indeed coming, will probably be north of $300.

It's a strange time for a refresh; Zen 3 is likely to be released this year. Its new generation of CPUs are manufactured on an enhanced 7nm manufacturing process and could offer a significant performance boost over Zen 2. The best guess is a 15% increase in IPC (instructions per clock) performance, faster clock speeds, and improved power efficiency. However, if Zen 3 is not released until near the end of the year, these chips could bolster AMD's lineup against Intel's Comet Lake in the coming months.

It is also possible that AMD will debut Zen 3 first in a high-end (and expensive) model. In that case, the 3750X or 3850X might make sense for some, especially since AMD has stated that the Zen 3 will run on existing X470, B450, X570, and B550 (coming soon) motherboards.

We have asked AMD for comment and will update this article if we hear back.