Chinese chip manufacturer Loongson recently launched a brand-new server CPU, the Loongson 3C6000. This product, with its independently developed technology and powerful computing capabilities, marks a significant step forward for domestic chips in the server domain. The processor features a 16-core, 32-thread design and utilizes Loongson’s self-developed “Dragon Chain” interconnect technology, enabling dual-way or even eight-way scalability. A single system can support up to 64 cores and 128 threads, and in specific configurations, it can reach 128 cores and 256 threads, demonstrating impressive performance potential.
The Loongson 3C6000 is based on the proprietary instruction set “LoongArch,” completely free from reliance on foreign technology. Compared to its predecessor, the 3C5000, this new chip achieves a significant performance boost. Internal test data shows its general-purpose computing power has doubled, with SPEC CPU 2017 benchmark scores improving by 60% to 95% over the 3C5000, and UnixBench multi-threaded performance increasing by 100%. When compared to Intel’s Xeon Silver 4314 processor, the 3C6000 performs closely in SPEC CPU 2017 tests, even slightly outperforming it in certain scenarios. The Intel Xeon 4314, part of the “Ice Lake” series, is built on a 10nm process with 16 cores and 32 threads, featuring a clock speed range of 2.4GHz to 3.4GHz. In contrast, the 3C6000 matches its performance at a 2.5GHz clock speed, showcasing the strength of its optimized design.
In terms of hardware specifications, the Loongson 3C6000 supports DDR4-3200 quad-channel memory, with memory bandwidth doubling over its predecessor to over 42GB/s. Its I/O performance has also seen substantial improvements, featuring a PCIe 4.0 x64 interface that offers an order-of-magnitude higher bandwidth than the 3C5000. Additionally, the chip includes built-in high-performance national cryptographic algorithm support, with SM4 encryption bandwidth exceeding 30Gbps, meeting the demands of secure computing. Leveraging “Dragon Chain” technology, the 3C6000 supports flexible scalability: the dual-die 3D6000 version reaches 32 cores and 64 threads, while the quad-die 3E6000 version scales up to 64 cores and 128 threads. This chip-level interconnect design rivals NVIDIA’s nVLink and CXL technologies, providing reliable support for large-scale server applications.
At the 2025 Zhongguancun Forum Annual Conference, a 2U server equipped with dual 3C6000/D processors made its public debut. This server, powered by two 3C6000 chips interconnected natively via “Dragon Chain,” boasts a total of 32 cores and 64 threads, showcasing the latest achievements of domestic hardware in high-performance computing. Loongson stated that this server has reached the prototype stage and is slated for full production and market release in the second quarter of 2025, targeting applications in cloud computing and large-scale data centers.
Notably, Loongson isn’t stopping here. The company revealed that its next-generation desktop processor, the 3B6600, is under development and expected to complete tape-out in the first half of 2025. This 8-core chip will adopt the new LA864 architecture, with a clock speed potentially reaching 3.0GHz, and will integrate Loongson’s self-developed LG200 graphics core, supporting DDR5 memory and PCIe 4.0 interfaces. Official tests indicate that the 3B6600’s single-core and multi-core performance will rival Intel’s 12th- and 13th-generation Core mid-to-high-end models, such as the i5 and i7 series. This suggests that, even with mature manufacturing processes, Loongson has achieved a leap in performance through architectural optimization.
In recent years, influenced by technological restrictions, China has accelerated the development of domestic hardware, with Loongson emerging as a key player in this wave. Its products are already widely used in government sectors and specific industries. For instance, China Telecom’s Tianyi Cloud has introduced multiple solutions adapted for the 3C5000 and 3D5000. Additionally, Loongson’s software ecosystem is rapidly improving, with its LoongArch-based Linux system now supporting common applications like WPS, WeChat, and QQ, and aiming for smoother compatibility with Windows applications by the end of 2024.
From a technical perspective, Loongson has chosen an independent path distinct from x86 and ARM. Since its founding in 2001, the company has invested heavily in developing proprietary IP cores and instruction sets. After more than two decades of effort, it has finally achieved breakthroughs in performance and ecosystem development. The 3C6000’s memory bandwidth, I/O performance, and multi-core scalability demonstrate that domestic CPUs are no longer just low-end substitutes but are now capable of challenging mainstream international products. Looking ahead, with the release of subsequent products like the 3B6600 and 3D6000, Loongson is poised to further narrow the gap with Intel and AMD, offering more high-performance options for the domestic market.
The release of this server CPU not only highlights the advancement of China’s chip design capabilities but also reflects the resolute progress of domestic technology in achieving self-reliance and control. With its 64-core computing power, flexible scalability, and optimized performance, the Loongson 3C6000 opens new possibilities for cloud computing and data centers while presenting tech enthusiasts with an exciting new star in domestic hardware.