With the current tensions between Russia and the United States, a consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the government of Vladimir Putin will have to trick to buy chips. Only possible option: turn to china and the x86 processor.
Russia is keenly interested in Chinese x86 processors
For several weeks, AMD, Intel, Nvidia and IBM have completely cut ties with Vladimir Putin. As planned by the Biden administration, the embargo of American exports to Russia has direct consequences for Russia’s economy. While the shortage of semiconductors has already strained the market, the country must find new sources of supply. Quick and effective alternatives.
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For this, Russia could be forced to turn to China. Although several sources report that Russia will most likely succeed in “to obtain American chips by side roads”, it can also rely on the Chinese option with Zhaoxin chips. This provider offers x86 processors. They are designed by a Taiwanese company and assembled in China.
Average quality semiconductors
This Chinese giant already sells semiconductors in Turkey, Lithuania and Russia. These processors are certified compatible with Windows, Red OS (Linux, certified by the Russian Ministry of Telecoms) and Astra Linux, (a technology certified by the Russian Ministry of Defense and used even in the intelligence services). On the other hand, it must be recognized, the chips manufactured by Zhaoxin, baptized KaiXian (KX), are not the most efficient on the market.
These SoCs engraved in 16 nm are “multi-core chips integrating a graphics chip, and compatible with classic technologies – USB 3.0, HDMI, USB-C, Wi-Fi, etc. ». It is for example to play games in 3D or 4K with such technologies. Too bad, Russia will be satisfied with this. It’s always better than nothing will certainly think Vladimir Putin, and he is certainly not wrong. Enough to “running the shop”.
For several months, China tries to reduce its dependence on foreign technologies. The country is implementing a self-sufficiency strategy. According to Semiconductor Industry AssociationChinese semiconductor sales could reach a 17.4% share of the global market by 2024. A few weeks ago, the South China Morning Post reported, from Hong Kong, the existence of a real bubbling of the Chinese world of semiconductors.