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Mojibake Tengu [soylentnews.org] writes:

The TECHPOWERUP reports:

https://www.techpowerup.com/336529/hygon-prepares-128-core-512-threaded-x86-cpu-with-four-way-smt-and-avx-512-support [techpowerup.com]

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.

It is not clear to me where Hygon CPUs are actually made, but since the processor features instructions optimized for Chinese government obligatory encryption algorithms, it's most probably SMIC, not TSMC, for trust reason. 4-way SMT is very interesting, not even AMD can pull that just now.

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.

Beside genuine Zen made by AMD, there are now three IP-licensed and independent AMD64 platform advanced manufacturers on this globe: Zhaoxin/VIA, Hygon and Intel. That means, political friction will have much less effect on future progress of this architecture.

Definitely, AMD64 architecture is perspective and worth to learn, at both the instruction set and machine levels.

Original Submission