Loongson 7A2000 GPU Performance More Than Doubles withDriver Update
BEIJING, CHINA – The Loongson7A2000, a motherboard bridge chip released by Loongson Zhongke in July 2022, has seen a significant performance boostthanks to recent driver updates. The chip integrates Loongson’s first-generation GPU, codenamed LG100, with a slightly improved version calledLG110.
Initially, the 7A2000’s GPU performance was comparable to AMD’s R5-230, offering smooth performance for office software, 2D games, and simple 3D scenes. However, early benchmarks revealed that the GPU scored only around 200 on glmark2, less than half the performance of the R5-230.
Through multiple driver updates, the 7A2000’s display performance has steadily improved. Now, it delivers more than double the initial performance, even surpassing the AMD R5-230 in some benchmarks.
On May 6th, 2024, the UOS operating system version 1070 was released,incorporating the latest driver for the 7A2000 integrated graphics. Tests using glmark2 version 2023.01 on a Loongson 3A6000 computer running UOS 1070 showed the 7A2000 scoring 487, while the AMD R5-230 scored 462, giving the Loongson chip a slight edge.
The driver update has not only improved 3D performance but also significantly enhanced 2D display capabilities, particularly in video playback. While the Loongson 3A5000and 3A6000 CPUs are powerful enough to handle 4K video decoding, the 7A2000’s initial display limitations resulted in noticeable frame drops even when playing 1080P videos.
With the updated driver, the 7A2000now only experiences slight frame drops when playing 4K resolution videos, a commendable performance considering its class. For those seeking a smoother video playback and gaming experience, adding a dedicated graphics card with higher performance remains an option.
Although the AMD R5-230 supports hardware video decoding, it is limited to 1080P resolution and lacks 4K display support. The 7A2000, on the other hand, boasts two display interfaces, allowing for the connection of two monitors and supporting a maximum resolution of 4K@30Hz. In terms of display output and video playback, the 7A2000 surpasses the R5-230.
While the LG100/LG110 is integrated within the 7A2000, it operates as a dedicated graphics card, utilizing separate memory chips on the motherboard instead of system RAM. This unique design positions the 7A2000 between dedicated and integrated graphics, allowing for both soldered and standalone card configurations.
The 7A2000 meets the requirements outlined in the Ministry of Finance’s Desktop Computer Government Procurement Demand Standards (2023 Edition), All-in-One Computer Government Procurement Demand Standards (2023 Edition), and Portable Computer Government Procurement Demand Standards (2023 Edition). These standards specify technical indicators for dedicated graphics cards, including memory type, bus width, capacity, display resolution, core frequency, effective memory frequency, and multi-display support, but do not explicitly mention 2D/3D performance. The standards are primarily focused on office applications, and currently, domestically designed GPUs can only meet these requirements. More complex tasks like 3D modeling, film production, 3D game rendering, and AI computation still pose challenges for these GPUs.
While the 7A2000’s performance, even surpassing the AMD R5-230, remains at an entry-level, it is important to remember that no domestically developed technology reaches its peak immediately. Continuous iteration is key to performance improvement. Loongson’s next-generation GPU, codenamed LG200, promises significant advancements inboth performance and functionality, potentially meeting more demanding application needs.
The remarkable progress in Loongson’s GPU driver development is evident in the 7A2000’s performance leap. This improvement, achieved without hardware changes, highlights the shortcomings of previous drivers and the maturity of current driver development capabilities.
This significant performance improvement is a testament to Loongson’s commitment to continuous development and innovation in the field of domestic GPU technology. The future looks bright for Loongson as they continue to push the boundaries of performance and functionality with their next-generation GPU, the LG200.
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