Chinese networking company Ruijie Networks has unveiled a mini desktop computer that looks like a slightly chunky Intel NUC… but it’s not powered by an Intel processor (or an AMD one).

Instead, the RG-CT7800 mini PC houses a Zhaoxin KX-U6780A processor. That’s a recently released x86 chip, which means it should be compatible with most Windows or GNU/Linux software… although it scores much lower on benchmark tests than similar chips from AMD and Intel.

Still, it’s noteworthy that Chinese device makers are starting to adopt Zhaoxin processors for devices like compact desktop computers.

Zhaoxin is a Chinese chip maker that’s a partnership between VIA Technologies and the government of Shanghai, and the company has been making x86 processors for several years. While the company is still playing catch up to industry leaders AMD and Intel, it has made big strides in a fairly short amount of time.

The KX-U6780A processor is a 16nm, 2.7 GHz octa-core chip with a 70 watt TDP and support for dual-channel memory, PCIe 3.0, USB 3.1 and DirectX 11 graphics.

Ruijie’s mini PC, meanwhile, packs that processor into a 2.4 liter chassis along with 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, mic and headphone jacks, and a GNU/Linux-based operating system called Unity OS, or UOS.

The computer looks like something you could use in a home office or as a home theater PC, but it looks like it’s being positioned as a “desktop terminal” for office use.

While it’s unlikely you’ll be able to buy this mini PC or the chip that powers it outside of China anytime soon, the Chinese government has been pushing for homegrown technologies that could be used domestically. So it’s notable that the RG-CT7800 is a computer built by a Chinese company that uses a processor from another Chinese company and an operating system from yet another.

via Tom’s Hardware, cnTechPost, and qq

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6 replies on “This mini PC is powered by a Zhaoxin x86 processor”

  1. Slow and hot. Not ideal even if you don’t worry about Chinese back doors.

  2. x86, designed with integrated backdoor(s)/flaws within the CPU’s OS, now distributed by Chinese communists? I dunno, kinda sounds like the worst of both worlds, even if it brings “competition” to a market niche. I already have no trust in x86, I can’t say I’d choose x86 from China unless there were no other options.

  3. Way to stick it to Trump (he might not notice but the gesture is appreciated).

  4. Performance is surprisingly good. Not up to the latest but it is vastly better than the Atoms often used in PCs like this. I wonder what it costs.

    1. Atoms dont burn 70W, sounds usable, but mind you, its a few gen behind since Intel is asleep at the consumer/server chip wheel today, and AMD is cycling rapidly new improved designs 6 mo apart, so looking to future 2021-22 its already very outdated. With blockade unlikely Chinese can catch up. Also, this is “100% domestic” only if you imagine taiwan as part of China, tsmc makes these and washington is teasing forcing tsmc to stop aiding certain china corporates. smic could in theory, but idk.

    2. I believe they’re licensing some technology from AMD.
      Basically, it’s like a Ryzen v1, but worse.
      …if it means more PCs to Chinese classrooms and people, I’m all for it.

      But maybe we should start looking at ARM processors seriously as PCs, and work together in having applications run on it well; you know, instead of having to rely on x86 due to some legacy programs. Create more competition between Intel, AMD, and ARM chipset manufacturers.

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