Exploring Third-Way Approaches in the Processor World: RISC-V, LoongArch, IBM POWER, and More
For decades, the computing industry has been dominated by two major architectures: x86, reigning in PCs and servers, and ARM, which conquered the mobile world and is now challenging the established dominance. But by 2025, the tech landscape is experiencing unprecedented diversification. Can alternative architectures claim a significant share of the market?
The answer is complex, but signs point to a scenario where, although these alternatives may not dethrone the giants, they are finding niche areas where they shine on their own.
RISC-V: The Open Source Hope
The Rise of Free Architecture
RISC-V is an open-source instruction set architecture (ISA) promising to make personal computing more, well, personal. Unlike x86 and ARM, which are controlled by specific proprietary companies, RISC-V is entirely open and royalty-free.
The advantages are clear:
– No licensing costs
– Unlimited customization without restrictions
– Independence from single suppliers
– Flexibility for domain-specific modifications
When Will RISC-V Arrive?
Framework plans to release a laptop supporting a RISC-V motherboard in 2025. While still targeting early adopters and developers, it will be the most accessible and polished RISC-V laptop to date.
However, challenges are significant. The RISC-V chip in the DC-Roma II performs well below x86 and ARM alternatives. DeepComputing aims to address this in 2025 with the DC-Roma III, promising “much better performance. It will still be in 12nm processes, but we will upgrade CPU performance to be more like an ARM Cortex-A76.”
Niches Where RISC-V Shines
In Data Centers: In China, companies like Alibaba (T-Head) and Huawei are actively exploring RISC-V to reduce reliance on imported IP. Western startups like Ventana are targeting accelerators and co-processors for data centers.
In AI and Acceleration: NVIDIA announced that its CUDA software platform will support RISC-V ISA on CPUs. This is a significant step toward enabling RISC-V-based CPUs for performance-demanding applications.
RISC-V 2025 Verdict
Real Opportunity: ★★★☆☆
RISC-V will find its place in embedded applications, AI accelerators, and specific niches, but “RISC-V is still far from being a commercially ready alternative to x86 and ARM in HPC.” For mainstream PCs, it will remain a territory for enthusiasts until 2026-2027.
LoongArch: China’s Geopolitical Bet
The Strategy of Technological Independence
Chinese processor developer Loongson Technology announced it developed its own CPU instruction set architecture, Loongson Architecture (LoongArch), entirely separate from architectures designed outside China.
LoongArch is more than a technical architecture; it’s a declaration of technological independence. The specs are impressive for an emerging player:
Technical Specs of the LS3C6000:
– Up to 64 cores, 128 threads
– 32MB cache
– Four 72-bit memory channels
– Maximum frequency of 2.2GHz
– Quad-chiplet design
Real Performance vs. Western Competitors
The 3E6000 with 64 cores allegedly outperforms the Xeon 8380 by 35% in integer tests; yet, the Xeon 8380 exceeds the 3E6000 by 14% in floating-point tests (Spec CPU 2017).
Verdict? Loongson desktop processors are roughly five years behind Intel or AMD products, but progress is steady, backed entirely by government support.
International Expansion
Russia pivoted to Chinese CPUs not subjected to U.S. sanctions—Russia’s homegrown Alt OS based on Linux now supports LoongArch chips.
Current Usage Cases:
– Servers for the Chinese market
– Industrial embedded systems
– Government and educational computing in China
– Markets with geopolitical restrictions (Russia, Iran)
LoongArch 2025 Opportunity
High real opportunity: ★★★★☆ Within China and aligned geopolitical markets, LoongArch has ample prospects. “In the Linux-based server ecosystem, Loongson could find a stronger foothold.” Outside these markets, opportunities remain limited in 2025.
IBM POWER: The Veteran Still Resilient
Niche Strength in Enterprises
IBM Power Systems targets high-performance enterprise workloads such as data analysis, AI, cloud-native applications, and microservices.
IBM POWER demonstrates that alternative architectures can thrive in specific niches. Market figures are modest but stable:
Market Share:
– POWER Processors (10%): Used mainly in enterprise, HPC, and financial sectors for mission-critical applications
– IBM Power Systems have enjoyed five consecutive quarters of growth driven by client adoption of the latest Power processors, IBM POWER9
Unique Technical Advantages
Superior Virtualization: POWER was designed with virtualization in mind almost from the start, offering an integrated hypervisor with only about 2% efficiency loss. In comparison, x86 often requires third-party hypervisors with more performance overhead.
Per-Core Performance: POWER chips are suited for high-performance enterprise workloads like database processing and encryption. For transaction-heavy tasks, POWER remains competitive.
IBM POWER 2025 Verdict
Real Opportunity: ★★★☆☆
POWER will retain its enterprise and HPC niches but won’t significantly expand into other markets. Its strength lies in applications where per-core performance and virtualization efficiency are critical.
MIPS: The Transition Survivor
From Giant to Specialist
In the 1990s, MIPS was a powerhouse in embedded processors. According to MIPS Technologies Inc., it experienced exponential growth, with 48 million CPUs shipped based on MIPS and holding 49% of the RISC CPU market in 1997.
Today, MIPS has found a second wind in specific applications:
Current Market:
– The global MIPS processor market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9% between 2024 and 2031
– MIPS processors are widely used in embedded systems due to low power consumption and high performance
Main Applications:
– Networking and telecommunications equipment
– Industrial embedded systems
– Smart appliances
– Low-power IoT devices
MIPS 2025 Verdict
Real Opportunity: ★★☆☆☆
MIPS will see steady but limited growth in specialized embedded applications. It won’t threaten x86 or ARM in mainstream markets but will remain relevant in specific niches.
Global Outlook: Who’s Truly Leading?
Current Processor Market Distribution (2025):
Data Centers:
– x86 Processors (65%): Led by Intel and AMD
– ARM Processors (25%): Driven by Ampere, NVIDIA, Fujitsu
– Power Processors (10%): Used mainly in enterprise, HPC, financial sectors
Embedded Systems:
– ARM architecture dominates due to widespread use in mobile and IoT devices, emphasizing energy efficiency and performance
– MIPS, though less dominant, plays a significant role in networking and consumer electronics
– RISC-V, as an open-source architecture, is gaining traction thanks to its flexibility and adaptability
Fundamental Challenges
1. Software Ecosystem: The biggest obstacle for any alternative architecture remains software compatibility. x86 benefits from decades of software optimization, while ARM has built a massive mobile ecosystem.
2. Economies of Scale: By late 2025 or 2026, we might see a basic consumer laptop with RISC-V for education or emerging markets. Mainstream consumers, however, won’t find RISC-V in PCs yet.
3. Market Inertia: Developers, OEMs, and end-users have massive investments in current platforms. Transitioning requires extraordinary benefits.
Concluding Thoughts: The Future Is Multipolar, Not Monopolar
Realistic Scenario (2025-2030):
– RISC-V: Dominates in specific embedded applications, AI accelerators, and markets where cost and customization are key. For mainstream PCs, remains marginal until 2027-2030.
– LoongArch: Will be the leader in China and some aligned markets, with 20–30% annual growth within its geopolitical sphere.
– IBM POWER: Will retain its high-performance enterprise and HPC dominance, with moderate but steady growth.
– MIPS: Will continue in embedded systems and networking gear, with steady 5-10% annual growth.
The Uncomfortable Truth
Alternative architectures won’t “defeat” x86 and ARM in the traditional sense. Instead, we’re witnessing the specialized fragmentation of the processor market:
– x86: Continues to dominate PCs, workstations, and traditional enterprise servers
– ARM: Strengthens in mobile and expands into PCs and data centers
– Alternatives: Capture specific niches offering unique advantages
The real opportunity? Not replacing the giants, but creating thriving ecosystems in segments where each architecture’s particular strengths shine.
The Final Message
The advantages of RISC-V—customization, scalability, cost-effectiveness—make it a strong competitor to ARM. Once suppliers migrate and ecosystems develop, companies will have the perfect excuse to switch.
2025 will mark the year when alternative architectures establish their specific territories. The revolution won’t be total replacement, but smart diversification. In a world increasingly specialized, there’s room for multiple architectures—each optimized for what they do best.
The real question? Not if alternatives can win, but where they can win. And increasingly, the answer is: in spaces where the giants can’t or won’t optimize fully.