Chinese server CPU maker Hygon, which owns a Zen core IP from AMD, has put a roadmap for C86-5G, its most powerful server processor to date, featuring up to 128 cores and an astonishing 512 threads. Thanks to a complete microarchitectural redesign, the new chip delivers more than 17 percent higher instructions per cycle (IPC) than its predecessor. It also supports the AVX-512 vector instruction set and four-way simultaneous multithreading, making it a strong contender for highly parallel workloads. Sixteen channels of DDR5-5600 memory feed data-intensive tasks, while CXL 2.0 interconnect support enables seamless scaling across multiple sockets. Built on an unknown semiconductor node, the C86-5G includes advanced power management and a hardened security engine. With 128 lanes of PCIe 5.0, it offers ample bandwidth for accelerators, NVMe storage, and high-speed networking. Hygon positions this flagship CPU as ideal for artificial intelligence training clusters, large-scale analytics platforms, and virtualized enterprise environments.
The C86-5G is the culmination of five years of steady development. The journey began with the C86-1G, an AMD-licensed design that served as a testbed for domestic engineers. It offered up to 32 cores, 64 threads, eight channels of DDR4-2666 memory, and 128 lanes of PCIe 3.0. Its goal was to absorb proven technology and build local know-how. Next came the C86-2G, which kept the same core count but introduced a revamped floating-point unit, 21 custom security instructions, and hardware-accelerated features for memory encryption, virtualization, and trusted computing. This model marked Hygon's first real step into independent research and development. With the C86-3G, Hygon rolled out a fully homegrown CPU core and system-on-chip framework. Memory support increased to DDR4-3200, I/O doubled to PCIe 4.0, and on-die networking included four 10 GbE and eight 1 GbE ports. The C86-4G raised the bar further by doubling compute density to 64 cores and 128 threads, boosting IPC by around 15 percent and adding 12-channel DDR5-4800 memory plus 128 lanes of PCIe 5.0. Socket options expanded to dual and quad configurations. Now, with the C86-5G, Hygon has shown it can compete head-to-head with global server CPU leaders, putting more faith in China's growing capabilities in high-performance computing.
