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Zhaoxin Unveiled Next-Generation x86 SoC Plans

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41–50 of 51 posts

Re: Zhaoxin Unveiled Next-Generation x86 SoC Plans

#41
post #2

For those who don't know, Zhaoxin is a continuation of the Via x86 line. Neat to see a third vendor still kicking.

Do they retain the legal agreements Via had for x86 usage?

I assume so, but the contracts are private. It certainly looks like the world wide license that Via would have had was split into 'China' and 'not China', hence how difficult these chips are to get a hold of. That being said, it's pretty much impossible to know for sure.

Re: Zhaoxin Unveiled Next-Generation x86 SoC Plans

#42

I’ve read about it many times but still can’t figure it out completely. Can a x86 license holder always use any of its new features? For example, you had a license in the 90s, can you automatically use 256, 512 width vector instructions? Are none of those licenses untransferable in case of the company purchase or just AMD’s? Is the license policy from Intel a result from IBM’s pressure back in the day? Did they deman…

AMDs initial x86 processors were indeed as an IBM mandated second source, but I think their 386 class (and definitely 486 class) processors were independently developed. I suspect Intel won't cancel existing licenses for anti-trust reasons, but also would price a new license for a lot more than in the 486 days.

Re: Zhaoxin Unveiled Next-Generation x86 SoC Plans

#43
post #35
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It has more to do with state grants, which in China are quite big

Which they are forced to give. If US companies stop selling components to China, it’s back to the stone age for them.

Hardly. The US is still a large trade partner for China, and an immediate stop will certainly trigger a domestic crisis, but they aren't really that dependent on the US. I'm not aware of a single item that only the US exclusively produces.

OTH China invests 95% of GDP on infrastructure (compared to 1.5% in the US), creating a huge domestic market. And a a stop of trade with the US will also mean a stop of China keeping the dollar strong - which they do because their currency is pegged to the dollar. They won't have a reason to continue this practice without trade with the US.

Re: Zhaoxin Unveiled Next-Generation x86 SoC Plans

#44
post #19
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Which one exactly? Afaik all the CPUs on their roadmap never existed.

They exist. You can buy a Lenovo Kaitian-series dekstop in China with a Zhaoxin chip. They also have a bunch of laptops. You can't outside of china because that's their agreement with Via. You can still find them on Alibaba sometimes.

I meant the "Zhaoxin's home-grown x86 CPU is completely designed from the ground up within China" CPUs, those AFAIK dont exist.

Lenovo Kaitian M6100/A6100 were real, powered by renamed VIA NANO chips. Taiwanese designed VIA Nano E-C4650 got rebadged and magically became homegrown Chinese ZX-C4650 design etc. Good old Pentium 3 Mobile AGTL+ Socket 479 bus circa 2001 vintage. https://wccftech.com/via-28nm-c4650-x86-quad-core-processor-...

Yes, the renamed original old school Centaur/VIA designs do exist, and perform at ~Intel Atom z8300 level. Good review by Chinese tech vlogger https://www.bilibili.com/video/av61782186/

Re: Zhaoxin Unveiled Next-Generation x86 SoC Plans

#45
post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For those who don't know, Zhaoxin _never_ released any x86 product. Over the last 10? years their only output have been laughable roadmaps listing non existing processors.

seriously?

They did sell Lenovo computers with renamed VIA Nano processors few years ago while claiming "Zhaoxin's home-grown x86 CPU is completely designed from the ground up within China."

Re: Zhaoxin Unveiled Next-Generation x86 SoC Plans

#46
post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For those who don't know, Zhaoxin _never_ released any x86 product. Over the last 10? years their only output have been laughable roadmaps listing non existing processors.

Leonove ThinkPads with Zhaoxin prosessors have been spotted in China. https://imgur.com/a/kIK8bmw

This is Zhaoxin press event photo.

Re: Zhaoxin Unveiled Next-Generation x86 SoC Plans

#47
post #12
post #2

For those who don't know, Zhaoxin is a continuation of the Via x86 line. Neat to see a third vendor still kicking.

Fourth vendor actually! Centaur just announced a new core for the server market and even AVX-512 support. See this https://fuse.wikichip.org/news/3099/centaur-unveils-its-new-...

Same vendor actually :)

Re: Zhaoxin Unveiled Next-Generation x86 SoC Plans

#48

I’ve read about it many times but still can’t figure it out completely. Can a x86 license holder always use any of its new features? For example, you had a license in the 90s, can you automatically use 256, 512 width vector instructions? Are none of those licenses untransferable in case of the company purchase or just AMD’s? Is the license policy from Intel a result from IBM’s pressure back in the day? Did they deman…

VIA x86 license expired in 2013, thats the year Zhaoxin came into existence in mainland China.

Re: Zhaoxin Unveiled Next-Generation x86 SoC Plans

#49
post #42

I’ve read about it many times but still can’t figure it out completely. Can a x86 license holder always use any of its new features? For example, you had a license in the 90s, can you automatically use 256, 512 width vector instructions? Are none of those licenses untransferable in case of the company purchase or just AMD’s? Is the license policy from Intel a result from IBM’s pressure back in the day? Did they deman…

AMDs initial x86 processors were indeed as an IBM mandated second source, but I think their 386 class (and definitely 486 class) processors were independently developed. I suspect Intel won't cancel existing licenses for anti-trust reasons, but also would price a new license for a lot more than in the 486 days.

AMD 386 had directly copied microcode, Intel sued and lost due to previous cross licensing agreements.

Re: Zhaoxin Unveiled Next-Generation x86 SoC Plans

#50
post #7

No pricing, unfortunately.

This cpu may never be sold. It's an effort by the chinese government to be less dependent on american companies.

More like effort by VIA to circumvent x86 license expiry with added bonus of National IC Investment Fund grants https://www.forbes.com/sites/willyshih/2019/11/22/chinas-lat...
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