AMD adds Low‑Power core as third type for Zen 6 processors

Linux kernel patches released in June 2026 reveal that AMD is introducing a third CPU core type for its upcoming Zen 6 architecture. In addition to the existing Performance cores and the compact Zen 6c Efficiency cores, a new “Low Power” (LP) core has been identified via a new CPUID value (2). The LP cores are intended for background processing and idle workloads, allowing the higher‑performance cores to remain in deep‑sleep states and improving overall energy efficiency.

The patches indicate that the LP cores will be part of AMD’s Medusa APU family, slated for debut at CES 2027. They use the same x86 instruction set as the other core types, avoiding the ISA incompatibilities seen in Intel’s hybrid designs. Early reports suggest configurations such as four Zen 6c cores combined with two Zen 6 LP cores for a handheld PlayStation 6 device, and laptop designs that could see notably longer battery life.

A leaked tweet adds technical detail: “On MDS1, it’s 2× Zen 6 LP cores with 512 KB L2 cache and 2 MB L3 cache,” highlighting the modest cache sizes aimed at low‑power operation. The Linux scheduler will recognize the LP cores and direct light tasks to them, enabling finer‑grained power management without requiring software changes.