China has developed its most advanced computer central processing unit (CPU) yet, a major step forward in its fast-developing IT sector.

According to developers, official tests show the CPU can rival early-series Intel Pentium IV processor in performance, but could be produced at a much lower cost.

The "Godson-2E" CPU is developed by the Chinese Academy of Science's Institute of Computing Science, and is ready for mass production.

The CPU contains 47 million transistors, more than the Pentium IV's 40 million. But this processing power will not be a drain on laptop batteries, as power consumption is between three to eight watts per hour, said Li Guojie, director of the institute,

"Godson-2E has adopted the most advanced technology in the world," said Li.

It can power all operating systems, as well as correct Chinese language input and display.

Li said the institute has already put the CPU in some low-cost computers, decreasing their prices by 50 per cent. And mass production will begin in coming months, though he declined to reveal the name of producer and exact costs.

Godson-2E is the newest version of the Godson series of microchips, which was originally launched in 2002. The series is known in Chinese as "Longxin" (Dragon Chip).

At the end of this year, scientists will start to upgrade Godson-2E to Godson-2F. "Our target is to improve performance by about 30 per cent and reduce power consumption by about 50 per cent," Li said.

Scientists are also working on multi-core technology, which promises more efficient computer processing. Intel shipped the first "dual-core" processor last year, but Li said his team was working on processors with "eight to 16" cores.

"This will enable China to rank among the flagship microprocessor producers."

Transnational companies including AMD and Intel have long been dominant in the domestic CPU market.

The successful development of Godson series is not only a boost for the domestic IT industry, but a strategic victory in terms of China's economic and national defence security, said Minister of Science and Technology Xu Guanhua yesterday.

Xu also revealed that there will soon be more new breakthroughs in CPU invention from other domestic researchers. "We have been notified of the latest development, which is inspiring," he added.

(China Daily September 14, 2006)