lucadelladora – Loongson Technology has completed its first dedicated GPU, the 9A1000, marking a major milestone for the company. The new chip targets the entry-level graphics market while offering AI acceleration capabilities. Loongson plans to finalize tape-out by the end of this year, but the GPU’s success will depend on post-tape-out testing and validation.
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The 9A1000 supports OpenGL 4.0 and OpenCL ES 3.2 APIs, enabling compatibility with modern graphics applications. Loongson doubled the graphics pipeline and increased the clock speed by 25 percent compared to previous models. The chip’s stream processor area shrank by 20 percent, contributing to a 70 percent reduction in power consumption under light loads. These enhancements enable the GPU to rival AMD’s Radeon RX 550 in performance.
AI acceleration is a key highlight, with the 9A1000 delivering 40 TOPS (tera operations per second). This level of computing power supports emerging AI workloads on consumer-grade hardware. The GPU’s overall scale is four times larger than the earlier 2K3000 chip, which results in a fivefold performance increase. Its integrated graphics are also four times better than those in the 2K3000 processor.
Although the 9A1000’s AI capabilities fall slightly short of AMD’s XDNA 2 NPU, which offers around 50 TOPS, it sets a solid foundation for Loongson’s growing GPU ambitions. This launch positions Loongson as a notable contender in China’s emerging GPU sector, alongside companies like Biren, Moore Threads, and Lisuan Technology.
Future Prospects: Loongson’s GPU Roadmap and Market Challenges
Loongson is already developing successor GPUs, with the 9A2000 promising ten times the performance of the 9A1000. The 9A2000 aims to compete with powerful models like NVIDIA’s RTX 2080, which is a significant leap for a relatively new player. Plans for the 9A3000 are underway, but detailed specifications remain undisclosed.
The 9A1000 targets a different segment than the Lisuan G100, which is expected to challenge NVIDIA’s RTX 4060. Loongson’s focused approach seeks to establish a foothold in entry-level graphics while building toward high-performance GPUs.
China’s GPU industry faces many hurdles. Several startups have failed due to the complexity and cost of designing GPUs from scratch. Loongson’s success with the 9A1000 is notable amid this challenging landscape. The company’s emphasis on AI acceleration reflects industry trends prioritizing AI workloads alongside traditional graphics performance.
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If post-tape-out testing confirms the 9A1000’s capabilities, Loongson could expand its influence in domestic and global GPU markets. Continued innovation and timely delivery of the 9A2000 and future models will be key to sustaining momentum.
In summary, Loongson’s 9A1000 GPU marks an important step in China’s ambition to develop competitive, homegrown graphics technologies. The company’s roadmap and evolving AI features suggest promising growth potential in a tough market.
