Alibaba has introduced the XuanTie C950, a high-performance 64-bit RISC-V processor core designed for demanding workloads such as edge AI, cloud computing, and high-performance systems. Built on the RVA23 profile, the C950 features a superscalar, out-of-order microarchitecture with up to 8 cores per cluster and clock speeds reaching 3.2 GHz. With a performance score exceeding 22 SPECint2006 per GHz (around 70 at full speed), it sets a new benchmark for RISC-V CPU performance.
The architecture includes support for advanced extensions such as vector processing, vector crypto, and floating-point operations, along with integration capabilities for Alibaba’s Tensor Processing Engine (TPE) via its Attached Matrix Extension (AME). The processor also features a flexible cache hierarchy with configurable L2 and optional shared L3 cache, advanced memory management (Sv57/Sv48/Sv39), and modern interconnects like AXI4 and CHI. Built using a 5nm process, the design incorporates performance-enhancing techniques such as TAGE-based branch prediction and intelligent data prefetching.
Alongside the C950, Alibaba introduced the XuanTie C925, a more power-efficient companion core aimed at balanced performance systems. The C950’s ability to pair with AI accelerators makes it suitable for workloads like large language model inference and computer vision, with support highlighted for models such as Qwen and DeepSeek. With full toolchain support across GNU, LLVM, and QEMU, the launch signals a significant step forward for the RISC-V ecosystem in competing with established CPU architectures in high-performance and AI-driven applications.
