Wednesday, September 3 2008
Chinese researchers unveiled details of a general-purpose microprocessor with which they hope to give computing to the most ordinary people in China. The chip, code-named "Godson-3", was developed with government funding by more than 200 researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Computing Technology (ICT). Analysts suggest this takes China one step closer technological independence.

These chips are being manufactured by ST Microelectronics and branded as "Loongson" meaning Dragon Chip. Predecessors of this chip have been manufactured since 2001 and with its advancement marks rapid propagation of the Linux platform and other open-source software. These PCs would make it to as many workplaces and schools as the Chinese government can take them to. It is noted that the Godson-3 that has four processing cores releases in 2009 with a design that is scalable. In fact an 8-core version is planned as well. These chips use the 65nm fabrication process, with the 4-core version rated to consume as low as 10W. An interesting bit on the machine architecture is that these chips aren't x86 per say, but the designers have added instruction sets to simulate an x86-like environment. With it they hope to run a broader range of software, Microsoft Windows included. Since its a simulated x86 environment, a license from Intel isn't required. Erik Metzger, a patent attorney at Intel, says that the chip will only perform at about 80% of the speed of an actual x86 chip.

Source: Technology Review
posted by btarunr - 8:19 PM |  Related News

User comments
1 to 26 of 66 | Go to Page 1 2 3    Previous | Next
by [I.R.A]_FBi (September 3rd - 8:24 PM) - Reply
bootleggers anonymous!
by Solaris17 (September 3rd - 8:26 PM) - Reply
that is soooo awsome go china
by Ben Clarke (September 3rd - 8:27 PM) - Reply

ange of software, Mircosoft Windows included


Spelt Microsoft wrong ;)

Interesting article... any news on the chip being available for purchase?
by Exavier (September 3rd - 8:27 PM) - Reply
80% of an x86 is still impressive when you factor in the 10W power factor..WOW.
What socket d'you reckon these are? ;)
by lemonadesoda (September 3rd - 8:27 PM) - Reply
1./ "dragon" is not a good name in the IT world. That name has a history. And not a good one.

2./ A patent lawyer is an expert in IT architecture and performance comparisons, eh? "80%"? Rubbish. No emulator can perform at 80% of the speed of native x86 code. Not unless the clocks are different.

3./ 65nm, 80% of an x86, 4 cores, 10W. I doubt it.

4./ "And because the chip architecture is only simulated, there is no need to obtain a license from Intel". I dont think that is how copyright and patent law works. :roll:
by jbunch07 (September 3rd - 8:27 PM) - Reply
what socket is it?
by Azazel (September 3rd - 8:28 PM) - Reply
nice.
government seems to be involved in every little thing in china
by btarunr (September 3rd - 8:30 PM) - Reply
by: lemonadesoda
3./ 65nm, 80% of an x86, 4 cores, 10W. I doubt it.
That's a relative comparison. Each single core could be as good/bad as a Pentium 3, who knows, and that's comparing those cores to x86 chips with similar capabilities.

Regarding patents, you heard what the patent attorney for Intel had to say. I hope NVIDIA takes note of this.
by timta2 (September 3rd - 8:35 PM) - Reply
I'm sure the benchtest results will be hilarious. I can't wait to see 'em.
by Azazel (September 3rd - 8:43 PM) - Reply
they will be budget chips for the less well off.
gives em a chance to have a decent comp...
by VIPER (September 3rd - 8:48 PM) - Reply
"Godson"??? Like in "Son of God"???
by btarunr (September 3rd - 8:50 PM) - Reply
by: Exavier
What socket d'you reckon these are? ;)
Embedded methinks, BGA.
by MadClown (September 3rd - 9:17 PM) - Reply
arent all cpu's made in china to begin with?
by KieranD (September 3rd - 9:26 PM) - Reply
i agree it allows people to get entry level computing and for school i dont think they require much power either so it can reduce costs in that respect meaning they have more money to fund other things in schools
by btarunr (September 3rd - 9:28 PM) - Reply
by: MadClown
arent all cpu's made in china to begin with?
Not designed by them. Besides, not all are made in China.
by KieranD (September 3rd - 9:49 PM) - Reply
yeah Taiwan TOO they manufacture a lot of crap and so does Malaysia
by candle_86 (September 3rd - 10:01 PM) - Reply
by: lemonadesoda
1./ "dragon" is not a good name in the IT world. That name has a history. And not a good one.

2./ A patent lawyer is an expert in IT architecture and performance comparisons, eh? "80%"? Rubbish. No emulator can perform at 80% of the speed of native x86 code. Not unless the clocks are different.

3./ 65nm, 80% of an x86, 4 cores, 10W. I doubt it.

4./ "And because the chip architecture is only simulated, there is no need to obtain a license from Intel". I dont think that is how copyright and patent law works. :roll:
yea but intel can't sure china, and what are they going to do, get an embargo agasint china
by DrPepper (September 3rd - 10:06 PM) - Reply
China doesn't give a crap about patent laws. They probably used some kind of espionage, or some crap.
by Nitro-Max (September 3rd - 10:29 PM) - Reply
Some of the 45nm chips are made in mexico {I think} there was an article about them opening a plant there before the 45nm chips came out.
by [I.R.A]_FBi (September 3rd - 10:33 PM) - Reply
by: Nitro-Max
Some of the 45nm chips are made in mexico {I think} there was an article about them opening a plant there before the 45nm chips came out.

china outsorcing to mexico, whata laugh.
by KieranD (September 3rd - 10:41 PM) - Reply
china outsourcing is just a laugh itself

i want to see reviews either way its not intended for our market
by suraswami (September 3rd - 10:42 PM) - Reply
by: Nitro-Max
Some of the 45nm chips are made in mexico {I think} there was an article about them opening a plant there before the 45nm chips came out.
is this a wrong place post or what? Comeon China can takup the whole world's request and still left with workers without a job.
by PCpraiser100 (September 3rd - 10:46 PM) - Reply
I feel sorry for them, as they are always trying to show independence on many fields. Intel and AMD should consult them.
by WarEagleAU (September 3rd - 10:46 PM) - Reply
No BTA, I didnt hear what Intels Patent Lawyer said, can you refresh me?

Its interesting to note China wants to make their own microprocessor. Im sure they could get a deal from AMD or Intel.
by Silverel (September 3rd - 10:56 PM) - Reply
by: DrPepper
or some crap.


I totally read that as a separate thought as opposed to closing a thought.

They may have indeed used crap however. This is China we're talking about.
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