China’s leading server CPU manufacturer, Zhaoxin, has introduced its cutting-edge KH-5000 Chiplet CPUs for servers, featuring an impressive 96-core design. These CPUs are engineered to enhance China’s server ecosystem with extensive IO capabilities.
Currently, Zhaoxin’s top-tier server offering is the KH-4000 series, which boasts up to 32 cores, 32 threads, 64 MB of cache, support for 8-channel DDR4 memory, and 128 PCIe 4.0 lanes. These chiplet-based CPUs come in various configurations, including 16 and 12-core versions, with clock speeds reaching up to 2.5 GHz. These have been available since late 2022, but it’s time for an upgrade in China’s server CPU landscape.
Unveiled at the Shanghai World Expo 2025, the KH-5000 series is based on a chiplet architecture and is compatible with an LGA socketed platform. The CPUs stand out for their increased core count and enhanced IO capabilities, marking a significant leap from previous models.
The Zhaoxin KH-5000 chips will feature up to 96 cores. While it’s not confirmed whether these will include SMT or maintain the non-SMT design of the KH-4000 series, they promise a 30% improvement in IPC compared to the latest architecture. The top model will include 384 MB of cache and offer clock speeds ranging from a 2.0 GHz base to a 3.0 GHz boost. The CPUs will incorporate the new ZPI 5.0 interconnect, supporting dual and quad-socket systems, offering up to 384 cores on a single motherboard. This advancement boosts data bandwidth and reduces latency and power consumption.
Here’s how the KH-5000 compares to the KH-4000:
– 96 Cores vs. 32 Cores
– 3.0 GHz Peak Clocks vs. 2.5 GHz
– 384 MB Cache vs. 64 MB Cache
– 12-Channel DDR5 vs. 8-Channel DDR4
– 128 PCIe 5.0 Lanes vs. 128 PCIe 4.0 Lanes
– ZPI 5.0 Interconnect vs. ZPI 3.0 Interconnect
Regarding IO, Zhaoxin makes a substantial upgrade with support for 12-channel DDR5 (ECC) memory, 128 PCIe 5.0 lanes (ZPI/CXL compliant), and 16 PCIe 4.0/SATA/USB lanes. The design is reminiscent of AMD’s EPYC “Bergamo” series, while prior KH-4000 CPUs also had a similar appearance to previous AMD offerings. In the consumer market, their KX-7000 series also mirrors Intel’s 12th Gen CPU family.
While Zhaoxin hasn’t specified the availability of the KH-5000 server CPUs, they are expected to significantly boost server performance in China’s domestic market. Additionally, Zhaoxin unveiled the KX-7000N CPU, an advancement over the KX-7000, featuring a dedicated NPU for accelerated AI processing.
The KX-7000N merges an NPU into existing SKUs, and there are whispers of an upcoming consumer-focused “KX” series aimed at the “AI PC” segment. This next-generation offering is expected to deliver more CPU cores, enhanced computing capabilities, PCIe 5.0 support, and a new, high-performance NPU architecture. Keep an eye out for more updates from Zhaoxin in the near future.
