Zhaoxin Launches KX-7000 Desktop 8-Core x86 Processor to Power China's Ambitions

[AleksandarK]

After years of delays, Chinese chipmaker Zhaoxin has finally launched its long-awaited KX-7000 series consumer CPUs, only one of its kind in China, based on the licensed x86-64 ISA. Zhaoxin claims the new 8-core processors based on "Century Avenue" uArch deliver double the performance of previous generations. Leveraging architectural improvements and 4X more cache, the KX-7000 represents essential progress for China's domestic semiconductor industry. While still likely lagging behind rival AMD and Intel chips in raw speed, the KX-7000 matches competitive specs in areas like DDR5 memory, PCIe 4.0, and USB4 support. For Chinese efforts to attain technological independence, closing feature gaps with foreign processors is just as crucial as boosting performance. Manufactured on a 16 nm process, the KX-7000 does not use the best silicon node available.

Other chip details include out-of-order execution (OoOE), 24 PCIe 4.0 lanes, a 32 MB pool of L3 cache and 4 MB L2 cache, a base frequency of 3.2 GHz, and a boost clock of 3.7 GHz. Interestingly, the CPU also has VT-x, BT-d 2.5, SSE4.2/AVX/AVX2 support, most likely also licensed from the x86 makers Intel and/or AMD. Ultimately, surpassing Western processors is secondary for China next to attaining self-reliance. Instructions like SM encryption catering to domestic data protection priorities underscore how the KX-7000 advances strategic autonomy goals. With its x86 architecture license giving software compatibility and now a vastly upgraded platform, the KX-7000 will raise China's chip capabilities even if it is still trailing rivals' speeds. Ongoing progress closing that performance gap could position Zhaoxin as a mainstream alternative for local PC builders and buyers.



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[Daven]

The x86 ISA should become like ARM, a licensable architecture for whomever wants it. AMD and Intel should combine both parts of their x86 ISA into a third party company. I’m guessing Zhaoxin received its license through AMD. Not sure how long Intel will allow that if they continue to become competitive. Such licensing legality is hard to enforce in China however.

 

[Crackong]

The x86 ISA should become like ARM, a licensable architecture for whomever wants it. AMD and Intel should combine both parts of their x86 ISA into a third party company. I’m guessing Zhaoxin received its license through AMD. Not sure how long Intel will allow that if they continue to become competitive. Such licensing legality is hard to enforce in China however.

Zhaoxin bought VIA and obtain the x86 licence from there.

 

[ValenOne]

Zhaoxin bought VIA and obtain the x86 licence from there.

VIA Technologies announced on October 26, 2020 that it is selling certain intellectual property rights (excluding patent rights) related to chip products to Shanghai Zhaoxin, in which it holds an indirect 14.75% stake, in a transaction valued at $139 million.

The deal is made through VIA's 100%-owned subsidiaries VIABASE and VIATECH.

In addition, VIABASE will sell certain intellectual property rights (excluding patents) related to processor technology and data to Shanghai Zhaoxin, in a transaction valued at $118 million.

The total value of the transaction is $257 million, and VIA will receive a profit of $197 million.

 

[usiname]

Is it compatible with the current Z790 and other LGA-1700 boards?

 

[regs]

Is it compatible with the current Z790 and other LGA-1700 boards?

Unlikely. But likely compatible with LGA1700 cooling mount. That's why they using same form factor. KH-40000/16 and /12 were looking very much like AM5 CPUs. Probably were compatible with AM5 cooling as well.

It is probable that they using LGA1700 socket as well, as it's in open mass production, so makes it simpler to motherboard manufacturers, but pinout is likely very different.

 

[TumbleGeorge]

Also has iGPU much faster and modern than existing in other chinese domestic processors.

 

[usiname]

Unlikely. But likely compatible with LGA1700 cooling mount. That's why they using same form factor. KH-40000/16 and /12 were looking very much like AM5 CPUs. Probably were compatible with AM5 cooling as well.

It is probable that they using LGA1700 socket as well, as it's in open mass production, so makes it simpler to motherboard manufacturers, but pinout is likely very different.

The pinout is same as raptor lake

 

[regs]

The pinout is same as raptor lake
View attachment 325297

Pinout is not a formfactor. It's a pin allocation.

 

[usiname]

Pinout is not a formfactor. It's a pin allocation.

Ok, the pin allocation is same if he can trust to the marketing images

 

[mechtech]

Intel gave them x86 license?!?

 

[Canned Noodles]

How can I get my hands on one of these?

 

[TumbleGeorge]

How can I get my hands on one of these?

A new generation of notebook computers, embedded computers and other products for mobile office, industrial computers and other scenarios will be released next year

Translated from original publication on zhaoxin.com.
After few months probably will travel to website shops which work with western costumers.

 

[Daven]

While this launched CPU would not be included, the upcoming hardware list should start to include these types of products.

 

[regs]

Ok, the pin allocation is same if he can trust to the marketing images

form factor is the same. pin out 99.9% likely isn't.

 

[Daven]

Is it compatible with the current Z790 and other LGA-1700 boards?

I like the old days when sockets and slots had names like Socket 7 rather than pin counts. Socket 1151 that required different motherboards was pure evil.

 

[Fouquin]

Zhaoxin bought VIA and obtain the x86 licence from there.

Other way around. Zhaoxin was formed by VIA as a joint venture within China. Since 2021 they've been working on their own core architecture, but previously they simply rebadged CenTaur designs. KX-7000 is supposed to be the new architecture but it likely is still derivative of CNS in some ways.

Intel gave them x86 license?!?

Zhaoxin operates with VIA's x86 license. VIA has held an x86 license since 1999. They inherited it from Cyrix.

Ok, the pin allocation is same if he can trust to the marketing images

It uses the LGA1700 physical layout and socket, but the pins are not wired the same. Expect fireworks if you put one of these CPUs on an Intel board.

 

[thesmokingman]

VIA Technologies announced on October 26, 2020 that it is selling certain intellectual property rights (excluding patent rights) related to chip products to Shanghai Zhaoxin, in which it holds an indirect 14.75% stake, in a transaction valued at $139 million.

The deal is made through VIA's 100%-owned subsidiaries VIABASE and VIATECH.

In addition, VIABASE will sell certain intellectual property rights (excluding patents) related to processor technology and data to Shanghai Zhaoxin, in a transaction valued at $118 million.

The total value of the transaction is $257 million, and VIA will receive a profit of $197 million.

Wow, the biggest loser here is Jensun. Misses out again on x86 license lol. Oh well, lets slap an arm cpu onto ze gpu instead!

 

[Denver]

Didn't Intel and AMD have to form a mutual agreement to avoid fighting over patents related to x86-64 between themselves? I don't remember VIA being included in that agreement tbh

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

It uses the LGA1700 physical layout and socket, but the pins are not wired the same. Expect fireworks if you put one of these CPUs on an Intel board.

I kinda want to see that. Just to see what would happen.

 

[thesmokingman]

Didn't Intel and AMD have to form a mutual agreement to avoid fighting over patents related to x86-64 between themselves? I don't remember VIA being included in that agreement tbh

Yea, they have a cross licensing agreement. Intel owns x86 and AMD owns x64 thus stalemate.

 

[Minus Infinity]

LOL, USA thought it was smart trying to limit China's access to tech, all it did was light a fire under China's own semiconductor industry. 3-5 years max for parity and independence from Western tech for the most part. (well the IP theft will still go on of course).

 

[Denver]

Yea, they have a cross licensing agreement. Intel owns x86 and AMD owns x64 thus stalemate.

So, basically, VIA has a limited implementation of x86.

 

[R-T-B]

LOL, USA thought it was smart trying to limit China's access to tech, all it did was light a fire under China's own semiconductor industry. 3-5 years max for parity and independence from Western tech for the most part. (well the IP theft will still go on of course).

There's been a fire under it for decades man. It will be a decade yet before we really see the impact of sanctions I expect.

So, basically, VIA has a limited implementation of x86.

It would appear they have implemented the full x86-64 instruction set here. So either just not caring, or not limited. Either way they certainly have at least a license to basic x86 from cyrix->VIA lineage.

 

[Denver]

There's been a fire under it for decades man. It will be a decade yet before we really see the impact of sanctions I expect.


It would appear they have implemented the full x86-64 instruction set here. So either just not caring, or not limited. Either way they certainly have at least a license to basic x86 from cyrix->VIA lineage.

According to the information available on the Zhaoxin website, there seems to be no specific restriction related to x86-64. It appears that they are prioritizing the domestic market and may not be placing significant emphasis on legal issues...