New-generation Zhaoxin CPUs challenge AMD dominance: With up to 96 cores, 12-channel DDR5 memory, and 128 PCIe 5.0 lanes, the forthcoming Zhaoxin chips are narrowing the performance gap between them and AMD processors.
At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2025, Chinese tech company Zhaoxin unveiled two new processors: the KaiXian KX-7000N and the Kaisheng KH-50000. The Kaisheng KH-50000, designed primarily for server and data center use, is a significant step forward for Zhaoxin, boasting up to 96 cores and advanced features that rival those of AMD's high-end EPYC 9004 (Genoa) processors.
The Kaisheng KH-50000 is equipped with 384MB of L3 cache, six times greater than that of its predecessor, the Kaisheng KH-40000. It also provides 128 PCIe 5.0 lanes and support for 12-channel DDR5 ECC memory. The processor supports the ZPI 5.0 (Zhaoxin Processor Interconnect), enabling multi-socket configurations with up to four CPUs on one motherboard, delivering a total of 384 cores. Additionally, it boasts support for the Compute Express Link (CXL) interconnect.
While Zhaoxin has not officially disclosed the architecture used in the KH-50000, its substantial core count increase and advanced features suggest a new or significantly updated design. The presence of advanced interconnects like ZPI 5.0 and support for CXL indicate a modern, scalable design intended for high-performance workloads, including AI and data center applications.
The KaiXian KX-7000N, also showcased at the WAIC 2025 event, will have enhanced support for PCIe 5.0. It is Zhaoxin's first chip to feature an NPU, making it well-suited for AI tasks. Although detailed specifications for the KaiXian KX-7000N have not been released, it is expected to have more cores than the current KaiXian KX-7000.
The focus of Chinese companies like Zhaoxin and Lisuan Technology is on creating reliable products that deliver a decent computing experience. While Chinese-made processors and graphics cards are not yet challenging industry giants like Intel, AMD, or Nvidia, this remains a future objective. Each progress made by these companies moves China closer to technological independence from the West.
| Feature | Details | |------------------------------|---------------------------------| | Cores | Up to 96 physical cores | | Architecture | Unknown; likely new design (successor to Yongfeng) | | Base Clock Speed | 2.2 GHz to 3.0 GHz | | L3 Cache | 384 MB | | Memory Support | 12-channel DDR5 ECC | | PCIe Support | 128 lanes PCIe 5.0 | | Interconnect | ZPI 5.0, Multi-socket capable (up to 4 CPUs) | | Compute Express Link (CXL) | Supported | | Simultaneous Multithreading | Unconfirmed, KH-40000 has none |
The Kaisheng KH-50000's combination of high core count, advanced memory and PCIe support, and multi-chip scalability positions it as a notable server processor designed to challenge AMD’s latest EPYC offerings. As China continues to make strides in hardware development, the future of technological independence looks increasingly promising.
Technology is at the heart of the Kaisheng KH-50000, a new server processor from Zhaoxin, showcased at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2025. With data-and-cloud-computing applications in mind, the KH-50000 boasts a significant leap in features, including up to 96 cores, advanced memory and PCIe support, and scalability through ZPI 5.0 and Compute Express Link (CXL). This technology-driven processor is positioned to challenge AMD's latest EPYC offerings, reflecting China's growing prowess in hardware development towards technological independence.
