Loongson 3B6000: Evaluating China’s Homegrown LoongArch Processor
Chinese semiconductor company Loongson continues to advance its custom processor lineup with the introduction of the LoongArch instruction set architecture, first launched in 2020. The latest addition, the Loongson 3B6000, is a 12-core processor featuring simultaneous multithreading (SMT2), enabling support for up to 24 threads. This processor is designed to work with DDR4 memory, offering speeds up to 3,200 MT/s and error-correcting code (ECC) support. The CPU operates at a base frequency of 2.4 to 2.5 GHz.
In recent benchmark testing conducted by Phoronix, the Loongson 3B6000 delivered approximately one-third the aggregate performance of the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X. However, it demonstrated a significant advantage over the Raspberry Pi 500+, outperforming it by a factor of 2.5. This positions the 3B6000 between high-end single-board computers and entry-level desktop CPUs in terms of raw computing power.
Hardware Platform and Features
The evaluation was performed using the 3B6000x1-7A2000x1-EVB evaluation board. While functional, the board’s design and component selection appear dated compared to modern motherboards, particularly regarding the chipset cooling solution. Expansion capabilities include two PCIe x16 slots, one PCIe x4 slot, an M.2 connector for storage, and four SATA ports. The integrated graphics unit supports both HDMI and VGA video outputs, providing flexibility for display connectivity.
LoongArch64: Progress and Challenges
The LoongArch64 architecture represents a strategic move by China to establish an independent instruction set, allowing for greater control over features such as security and workload optimization. Despite these ambitions, current benchmarks indicate that the Loongson 3B6000’s hardware execution remains several generations behind leading x86-64 processors from AMD and Intel. To reach parity with Western CPU manufacturers, Loongson will need to achieve substantial improvements in both performance and efficiency.
