Loongson LS2K-series Processors

2023: LS2K2000

On January 23, 2023, the Chinese company Loongson announced the LS2K2000 processor. Its distinctive feature was the presence of an integrated graphics subsystem of its own design Loongson.

LS2K2000

As reported, in the Loongson catalog, this is the first such CPU. Prior to that, all its solutions, including performance 3D5000, were not equipped with built-in graphics cores.

The LS2K2000, as in all other Loongson processors, is based on the LoongArch architecture. The CPU is LS2K2000 focused on embedded use. Loongson is reluctant to share details about it, especially the timing of the sale and the recommended price. Loongson plans to launch several of its processors during 2023. LS2K2000 may well be among them.

LS2K2000 is a full-fledged system on a chip in the spirit of modern ARM processors, only noticeably less productive. The processor comes with only two LA364 cores with a clock speed of less than 1.5 GHz.

The total amount of L2 cache in the LS2K2000 is 2 MB, there is no mention of L3 cache. But it is known that at the peak of its performance, the CPU consumes no more than 9 W of power, and in normal mode - even 4 W. For example, the Intel Atom C2316 CPU for embedded systems, which has existed since the third quarter of 2017 and was produced according to 22-nanometer standards, consumes about 7 W of power.

With such indicators, the processor, most likely, almost does not warm up during operation. However, Loongson is in no hurry to reveal the level of its heat generation.

As for the supported interfaces, the developers left LS2K2000 only a minimal set. The list only includes PCI-E 3.0, SATA III, USB 3.0, as well as Ethernet. Of the total variety of memory types, only eMMS for the built-in flash drive and DDR4-2400 for RAM are supported, but with ECC error correction puncture.

The integrated LG120 subsystem is busy performing the graphics processing task in Loongson creation. The developers carefully hide any details about it. What is the reason for such secrecy has not yet been established. Perhaps the fact is that this is the first iGPU of Loongson, or the Chinese authorities again intervened in the matter.

At the same time, the total performance of the LS2K2000 is known, however, in a little-known SPEC2006INT benchmark. Here, the single-chip system scored 13.5 points in fixed-point calculations and 14.9 points in floating-point calculations.

Judging by the way the PRC authorities protect Loongson creations from the "encroachments" of other states, it can be assumed that its developments are very important for this country^[1].

Notes