Fast Forward: China's Newest CPU
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Three years ago, I wrote about the Godson-2, a Chinese microprocessor that’s largely compatible with the MIPS architecture. I speculated that its successor, the Godson-3, would be a quad-core chip and that the Chinese needed x86 compatibility to break into the worldwide PC market.
So I wasn’t too surprised when the Godson-3 was unveiled at a recent technology conference in Silicon Valley. Sure enough, the first version has four cores, and the Chinese are adding more than 200 new instructions for x86 software emulation. These developments indicate that Chinese microprocessor technology is rapidly catching up with the rest of the world.
Three points are important here. First, it’s one thing for China to assemble products using parts (such as microprocessors) invented or manufactured elsewhere. It’s something else for China to develop native technology capable of competing on the world stage. China has the potential to radically shake up the market.
Second, China wants to be technology independent, just as the U.S. yearns to be energy independent. Computing technology is a fundamental resource, as vital for economic prosperity and national security as oil. Godson processors are designed at the Institute for Computing Technology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, but they are much more than an academic exercise. Godson is a high-priority national project largely funded by the Chinese government.
Third, the Godson-3 isn’t a true x86-compatible processor, and its designers make no such claims. The extensions optimize x86-to-MIPS dynamic binary translation—a fancy term for software emulation. Transmeta’s discontinued Crusoe and Efficeon processors used similar techniques, but Transmeta marketed those chips as “x86 compatible.” The Godson-3 is designed to run MIPS software. The x86 extensions are a last resort for software unavailable on MIPS. I’m no expert on intellectual-property law, but the Godson extensions don’t appear to infringe on Intel or Transmeta patents.
Godson chips are mainly for Chinese domestic consumption, although I have found them in a few export products, including Linux netbook PCs. The Godson-3’s basic design supports many possible implementations, including massively parallel processors. China hopes to build a supercomputer by 2010 that’s among the fastest in the world. It’s clear that China will someday be a major player in microprocessors.
Tom Halfhill was formerly a senior editor for Byte magazine and is now an analyst for Microprocessor Report.
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Silencer
February 28, 2009 at 1:11pm
Please forgive me if some of them are stupid! (There are stupid questions, btw.)
I'd like to know, what do Tom Halfhill, Intel and ASUS think?
Mr. Halfhill, you are my favorite columnist! You're the primary reason why I subscribe. Your column helps us see the future of computing, more than the others. I apologize in advance however, for probably missing the answers to some of these questions, in some of your previous articles, as I sometimes procrastinate for months before reading my magazines! (Now that the website is back, (like it was many years ago,) I'm using it again.)
You wrote, "It’s clear that China will someday be a major player in microprocessors."
First, I'd like to know, what do YOU think, of the MIPS architecture, compared to our American architecture(s)? < (Particularly AMD 64-bit.) What are the relevant differences? (Gaming?) What is the speed gap, if any? (And in a nod to the previous comment, how many rubber bands?) Which would you buy stock in, so-to-speak?
And then, I'd also like to know...
What's Intel's (and AMD's) latest comments on Godson? (What a name, btw.)
Who makes/contracts the motherboard for it? What's the chipset??
Will *ASUS* make a board for it? (Or do they already? Or ANY comments on Godson?)
What's Godson's current OS, if any? Does Linux have Godson support now?
(Does, or) *Can*, Windows support Godson? (This is **very** important, obviously. My main question.)
I would guess, that it would be easier for Linux, than it would be for Windows, to provide Godson support. (Example: PPC, right?)
What's the die shrink? Do they have, or are they building, or completing, a foundry?
Would you say, that China *could* rent (or buy) a foundry (immediately?) and then, be popping them out within about twelve months? (To retrofit the foundry, and setup distribution?) Or is more required, (speed improvements, chipset?) for them to compete?
I think answering these questions, would help us all see the future, a lot more clearly.
I also think that "years-down-the-road", can turn into "today". Especially in technology.(Example: I'm running Windows XP. I'm looking at Windows 7. Now, I'm *really* looking, at Linux. (For me, and 150+ others.)) (Hey Gnome, lose Mono!)
Thank-you again for your articles, Mr. Halfhill. (I apologize if it's Dr.)
P.S. (When I hear 'Chinese computers', it makes me think of the Japanese computers of the 80's!) (Is that right, or wrong?) :O)
Oops!
I see some of my questions were answered in your article. Duh. Sorry!
I'd still like answers to my applicable questions.
I do get the impression, that if Godson gained momentum, Linux would laugh, and Windows would cry.
Keith E. Whisman
February 26, 2009 at 10:05pm
So how many rubber bands does this Godson3 processor need to run.
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