Domestically developed Godson-2E central processing unit has reached a
performance equivalent to the early series of Intel's Pentium 4 CPUs, announced
Hu Weiwu, chief developer of Godson series microprocessors in China's Academy of
Sciences, Sina News reported.
The academy's Institute of Computing
Science will publish its first official test report on Godson-2E's performance
next month. Previous tests have shown that the 1-gigahertz Godson-2E CPU is
capable of competing with a 2-gigahertz Pentium 4 CPU.
It is estimated that manufacturers will commence a small-volume production of
its Godson-powered computer models in June. Each model may only retail 1,500
yuan (US$186.8).
"We must develop self-reliant microchip technologies. China will be severely
threatened if we fail to command core technologies in the industry," Hu said.
"We had about 10 developers in a lab of only 5 to 6 square meters in the
beginning," Hu said, referring to his development team experience. "But we are
all young. The average age of my fellow developers was under 30. Most of them
are from top domestic universities."
China has a short supply of core technology developers in the computing
sciences industry, according to the report.
Godson series microchips were launched in 2002, which at the time equaled to
the performance of an Intel 586 CPU. Though officially dubbed "Godson" in
English, it is known in Chinese as "Longxing," literally "dragon's
chip."
(For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates)