Huawei CPU: The new line of next-generation processors

A Huawei CPU is a recent introduction to the IT industry. Until last year, Huawei’s hardware contained CPUs manufactured by the global hardware giant Intel. What happened to inspire Huawei to develop its own processors, then? And what can these CPUs offer consumers in the current IT market?

Discover Huawei’s CPU range, who can benefit and how third-party maintenance can optimize your Huawei hardware.

Huawei CPU key facts

Huawei has shifted from using Intel CPUs to making their own processors.
The three ranges of Huawei processor are Kunpeng, Ascend and Kirin 990.
Evernex provides comprehensive maintenance services supporting Huawei hardware.

 

Huawei CPUs: the basics

Huawei: the brand

Huawei is a Chinese multinational company specializing in IT hardware and software. The brand has a reputation for reliable, scalable and high-performing IT products for personal use and data centers.

However, some critics argue against the use of Huawei products, largely for political reasons and security concerns. This is above all in the United States, where the government’s relationship with the brand is especially complex.

What is a CPU?

equipment reaching its lifecycle endA central processing unit (CPU) is one of the most important components of a data center or hardware device.

A CPU receives, interprets and executes instructions.

It also processes data and performs complex mathematical calculations. Here are a few of the functions CPUs perform in enterprise data centers:

  • Transforming data input into usable output.
  • Communicating instructions to other data center parts.
  • Retrieving data from the infrastructure’s memory.

Huawei CPUs: the big change

The Huawei CPU before 2024

Many IT hardware providers do not manufacture their own CPUs, including industry leaders such as Cisco and Hewlett-Packard. Instead, they often outsource the production of this component to a handful of specialist hardware manufacturers.

Two of the main CPU providers across the world are AMD and Intel. Until 2024, Huawei used Intel CPUs in its data center and personal computer hardware. So, what changed?

Questions about Huawei CPUs?

If you want to know how Huawei’s new CPU range might affect your Huawei hardware, or if your current data center infrastructure needs support, contact an Evernex expert now.


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The Huawei CPU now

Last year, Huawei stopped using Intel CPUs in its IT assets. Instead, the brand has released its own line of central processing units and started implementing them in its products. The brand now sells three ranges of CPUs, each for different purposes: Kunpeng, Kirin and Ascend.

Why did Huawei start manufacturing processors?

Huawei has shifted away from using Intel CPUs due to tensions between the US government and the Chinese brand. Huawei has been on a US trade restrictions list since 2019. However, Intel had licences to sell CPUs to Huawei from 2020.

In 2024, the US revoked those licences which allowed Intel and Qualcomm to sell semiconductors to Huawei. This move is comes as part of an effort to prevent China from developing advanced AI. China argued that the decision constituted economic coercion and considers it part of the US’s escalating trade war.

Since then, Huawei has moved on to develop its own CPUs, becoming independent from US-based Intel.

The Huawei CPU series

The brand offers three lines of processors. Each offers distinct features and is suitable for different IT environments. Here is a brief synopsis of each range:

Huawei Kunpeng CPUs

The IT leader’s Kunpeng series is designed for data centers and enterprise IT environments. Here are this Huawei CPU line’s main benefits for business IT infrastructures:

  • Huge throughput
  • High performance, including increased parallel performance in big data, SDS and database applications
  • High bandwidth
  • Native ARM computing power
  • Multicore architecture.
  • Security features including:
    • hardware encryption and decryption
    • trustzone (trusted execution environment)
    • secure boost

Huawei Ascend processors

The manufacturer’s Ascend chips are its most powerful – and possibly most controversional – series. Huawei created Ascend chips especially for AI workloads and deep learning. The aim of these AI processors, some argue, is to challenge Nvidia’s dominance in high-end chip design.

The US Department of Commerce has issued warnings to businesses not to use the chips. Such warnings indicate that using the chips may violate US export laws.

Here are some of the line’s key features:

  • AI-focused Da Vinci architecture
  • Energy efficiency through exceptional heat dissipation
  • High AI compute performance
  • AI accelerator cores
  • High memory bandwidth
  • Readiness for edge and cloud deployment

The Huawei Kirin 990 series

Kirin 990 CPUs are designed by Huawei’s semiconductor subsidiary, HiSilicon. While the Kunpeng series is for large-scale and data center environments, the Kirin line is for personal devices. These include mobile phones and tablets. The range’s main characteristics include:

  • Various CPU architectures
  • Exceptional performance and efficiency
  • Strong AI processing capabilities
  • 7nm+ EUV technology
  • Strong image processing capabilities
  • Rapid memory storage

Choosing a Huawei CPU: Pros and cons

The benefits of Huawei’s new CPUs

IT asset managementWhile they may not compete with Nvidia on every level, Huawei’s new CPU offerings bring several advantages, especially to data- or AI-intensive businesses.

The main benefits business IT systems will see are:

  • AI capabilities
  • Extreme power
  • High efficiency
  • Low power consumption
  • Scalability

The challenges of a Huawei CPU

While Huawei’s processors are advanced in many ways, they do pose some weaknesses. Here are the main issues consumers find with Huawei central processing units:

  • Limited GPU performance in comparison to competitors such as AMD
  • Developer support and optimization are limited
  • Compatibility with many Western applications is also limited, affecting user experience
  • ARM-based architectures can fall short in single-threaded performances

How to manage your legacy Huawei hardware

Legacy Huawei hardware refers to models which are no longer on the current market. This makes it more difficult to find support when these assets encounter issues or require optimization. However, this does not mean you need to refresh your data center infrastructure yet. See below for your options to keep your Huawei hardware in top condition:

Support option Explanation
OEM support While your Huawei item is under warranty, the manufacturer should provide support and updates. However, this phases out after the product’s End-of-Life. While renewing OEM support contracts is possible, but these often come at a hefty price.
Internal IT team Your business can invest in its own IT team. However, in the long term, this may not be a cost-effective option. An internal IT team presents a considerable expense which may not be necessary most of the time.
Third-Party Maintenance TPM is by far the most budget-friendly option for businesses. TPM providers offer expert IT support and optimizations for a fraction of the cost of OEM contracts. Said support includes inspections, diagnostics, repairs and replacements.

Evernex and legacy Huawei support

ISO 27001 certification Evernex

Evernex and Third-Party Maintenance

Businesses around the world trust Evernex to support their data center infrastructures. This is because we have built a solid reputation for expert, cost-effective and environmentally responsible IT maintenance services. We offer a single point of contact for comprehensive support covering a wide range of brands and models. This includes legacy hardware models.
Here are a few of the top benefits of partnering with Evernex to support your Huawei IT assets:

Evernex benefit What does it mean for you?
Expert maintenance We support data center hardware in every phase of its lifecycle. Our skilled engineers effectively and efficiently inspect, diagnose and resolve any hardware issues you may be facing. We also offer IT lifecycle management services, from installation to retirement.
24/7 availability Our teams of experts are available around the clock for when you have unexpected issues or queries.
Refurbished spare parts Through our Spare-as-a-ServiceTM program, we provide certified and tested refurbished replacement components. This helps your business save costs and promotes a circular IT economy.
ITAD services At the end of your IT asset’s lifecycle, we securely wipe its data before recycling, refurbishing or responsibly disposing of its physical components. This ensures the safety of your critical data and contributes to sustainable IT practices.
Buy-back service Evernex purchases your old or unwanted hardware, allowing you to recuperate some of your original investment. We then refurbish usable components to reintroduce them to the circular economy.
Flexible SLAs We customize our service-level agreements to your business’s specific IT needs. This way, you only pay for the services you will use, instead of overpaying for a one-size-fits-all contract.

Whether you need extra support for your under-warranty Huawei hardware or want to extend the lifecycle of your legacy devices, Evernex is here to help.

Evernex and refurbished hardware

Evernex is also an industry-leading provider of certified refurbished hardware, including CPUs for older Huawei devices. We painstakingly restore pre-owned hardware before testing it for guaranteed performance and durability. Check out our e-shop for our full range of refurbished hardware models!

Questions about Huawei CPUs?

If you want to know how Huawei’s new CPU range might affect your Huawei hardware, or if your current data center infrastructure needs support, contact an Evernex expert now.


Contact Evernex
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Frequently asked questions about the Huawei CPU

Does Huawei manufacture their own CPUs?

Yes, Huawei designs and manufactures its own central processing units. Previously, the brand used Intel CPUs in their equipment.

What are the three ranges of CPU Huawei offers?

Huawei’s CPU ranges are Kirin, Kunpeng and Ascend.

What kind of business can benefit from an Huawei CPU?

Huawei CPUs can benefit businesses of all sizes and industries, but they may be of special interest to data-intensive or AI-focused enterprises. The brand’s Ascend CPU is specially designed for AI and deep learning, while both Kirin and Kunpeng are AI-friendly.

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