| Developers: | MSCT |
| Date of the premiere of the system: | 2020 |
| Technology: | Processors |
Content |
2026
Within the Sitronics Server Portfolio
Sitronics Group has developed prototype models of a server platform based on the 16-core "Elbrus-16S" microprocessors designed by JSC "MCST". Sitronics announced this on July 7, 2026. The server is intended for building secure nodes of the critical information infrastructure. More details here.
16-nm 16-core Elbrus-16S with a clock frequency of up to 2000 MHz in the CNews infographic
The processor is featured in the infographic "What processors are being developed in Russia", published by CNews Analytics in June 2026 based on data available as of May of that year.
2019: Completion of the First Prototype Development
As of October 2019, MCST, a Russian developer of microprocessors, microcontrollers, and computing complexes, is working on the first prototype of a new processor—a 16-core chip with a 16-nm process technology. This was reported by TAdviser to Vasily Vorobushkov, Executive Director of MCST. The prototype is expected in 2020, with final development completion scheduled for 2021.
The 16-core processor will be based on the "Elbrus" architecture. Among the most significant innovations, developers highlight support for virtualization at the hardware level. Both native virtualization and virtualization using binary translation will be supported, allowing a virtual machine emulating x86 code to run under a native OS. Hardware-level virtualization typically provides higher performance for virtual machines, closer to that of physical hardware, compared to software virtualization.
For now, producing this new processor in Russia is not feasible. The largest Russian manufacturer of microelectronic products, "Mikron", has not yet mastered production at either 16-nm or 28-nm nodes.
MCST is already considering the development of a 7-nm processor. However, an MCST representative clarified that this project has not yet begun. Foreign competitor Intel expects to release its first 7-nm products in 2021.
The latest MCST product currently used by customers is the 8-core "Elbrus-8S". It does not support hardware-level virtualization, only software-based, including applications within separate virtual containers, for example, using Kubernetes.
In 2020, MCST plans to start offering an improved version of this processor—the "Elbrus-8SV": featuring architectural enhancements, increased clock speed, performance, memory capacity, etc., according to MCST representatives speaking with TAdviser.
Among major customers using the 8-core "Elbrus" processor are, for instance, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), several oil and gas companies. Additionally, one of the subsidiaries of Russian Railways (RZD), company "Elteza," is implementing computing complexes based on the secure software-hardware platform "Elbrus" into train control systems. Servers and SANs running on "Elbrus" chips are also used by telecom operators at network nodes. These are supplied by MCST’s partner, company "Norsi-Trans".
In terms of pricing, domestic processors currently remain less competitive than imported alternatives. MCST notes that in the microelectronics industry, cost heavily depends on production volume. To significantly reduce the price of "Elbrus," production volumes need to increase by an order of magnitude, says Vasily Vorobushkov. In turn, these volumes depend on order sizes.
However, the company is working on lowering prices. There are also some technical opportunities to reduce manufacturing costs, an MCST representative noted in conversation with TAdviser.
At the same time, reducing technological norms usually leads to increased costs, according to MCST. When 28-nm processors appeared, they were cheaper than newer ones made using the 7-nm process. Furthermore, supporting infrastructure is required to develop processors using such advanced manufacturing processes, which also demands investment.