Loongson has introduced the 3C3000, a 16 core server processor aimed at affordable business systems for file storage, databases, web hosting, and other general purpose workloads. The chip uses Loongson’s own LoongArch instruction set and is designed for small and medium sized organisations that need server class features without moving to more expensive enterprise platforms.
The new processor was announced on June 26 and is positioned below Loongson’s larger 3C6000 server family. It is not intended to compete directly with the highest performance Xeon or EPYC systems. Instead, the company is targeting lower cost infrastructure where reliability, local platform support, and modest power use matter more than maximum compute throughput.
Loongson says the 3C3000 delivers general purpose performance similar to its earlier 3C5000 server processor, while providing a smaller and more efficient platform for business deployments.
The Loongson 3C3000 Uses 16 Cores at Up to 1.8 GHz
The 3C3000 includes 16 physical CPU cores and 16 threads, with clock speeds ranging from 1.5 GHz to 1.8 GHz. It is based on Loongson’s LA364E core design and supports 128 bit vector instructions alongside three issue out of order execution.
Each core includes two fixed point units, one vector unit, and two memory access units. These specifications are aimed at standard server tasks that need reliable CPU performance rather than specialised AI acceleration.
The processor comes in an FCBGA1371 package measuring 37.5mm by 37.5mm. It is also pin compatible with the Loongson 3B6000, which may help system makers reuse existing board designs and reduce the cost of developing systems around the chip.
| Specification | Loongson 3C3000 |
|---|---|
| CPU architecture | LoongArch 64 bit |
| Core design | LA364E |
| Cores and threads | 16 cores, 16 threads |
| Clock speed | 1.5 GHz to 1.8 GHz |
| Shared cache | 16MB L2 cache |
| Memory support | Two DDR4 2400 ECC channels |
| PCIe support | Up to 32 PCIe lanes |
| Typical power use | 40W at 1.5 GHz |
ECC Memory and PCIe Connectivity Target Business Servers
The chip includes two 72 bit DDR4 2400 memory channels with ECC support. Error correcting memory is an important feature for file servers, databases, and other systems that need to reduce the risk of data corruption during long periods of operation.
Each CPU core has 64KB of instruction cache and 64KB of data cache, while the full processor shares 16MB of L2 cache. This is modest compared with newer high end server processors, but it fits the 3C3000’s budget focused design.
For expansion, the processor provides two PCIe x16 interfaces, offering up to 32 PCIe lanes. These can be divided into smaller x4 or x8 connections depending on a system builder’s requirements.
The chip also includes another PCIe x16 interface that can be configured as Loongson Coherent Link for dual processor systems. Other connectivity options include SPI, UART, I2C, AVS, and 16 GPIO pins.
Low Power Design Could Appeal to Smaller Deployments
Loongson lists typical power consumption at 40W when the processor is operating at 1.5 GHz. The company also includes dynamic clock shutdown and frequency adjustment features to reduce power use when workloads are lighter.
That could make the 3C3000 suitable for small office servers, local storage systems, web services, and business platforms that run continuously but do not need the power draw of a large data center CPU.
The processor also includes a Loongson developed security and trust module with support for Chinese national cryptographic standards. This, along with compatibility with China’s domestic hardware and software ecosystem, appears to be one of the product’s main selling points.
Loongson has not announced public pricing for the 3C3000. Server processors are commonly sold through system builders and enterprise agreements instead of standard retail channels.
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