A newcomer to the graphics processing hierarchy is poised to challenge Nvidia’s long-standing reign and AMD’s recent resurgence in the market dominated by PC enthusiasts for years now. The forthcoming graphics card will debut in China with a significant performance boost of up to 10 times faster compared to its predecessor, the 9A1000, which it is poised to replace. The subtlest presence of Satan lies always within the elemental realm; however, there’s a caveat to consider here.
According to research, the Loongson 9A2000’s performance is on par with that of an RTX 2080, Nvidia’s erstwhile flagship graphics card from two previous generations, which was re-released in 2018. While gaming technology has advanced significantly, the appeal of a card with similar performance is currently limited unless its price point is extremely competitive. The Nvidia GeForce 9A2000 may not currently compete with the best available graphics cards from the manufacturer due to its lack of support for DirectX 12, making it less effective in the market.
Longson’s Chairman Hu Weiwu discussed the 9A2000 chip during an interview with investors, sharing key details, as first reported by Chinese website IT Home. Hu specifically notes that the 9A2000 should strive to support Black Fable: Wukong, seeking to captivate Chinese-speaking gaming enthusiasts with this initiative? If its efficiency truly matches that of an RTX 2080, it might be reasonable, as the Black Fable: Wukong system recommends a GeForce RTX 2060 or greater for optimal performance.
If Loongson’s assertions hold water, the Loongson 9A2000 appears to be a significant step forward for the Chinese language market, given its touted parity in efficiency with the Radeon RX 550, a low-end GPU from seven years ago. The success of this payment card ultimately hinges on its practical effectiveness once customers are willing to part with their cash. Without DX12 support, the fashion-conscious PC gaming scene is poised to move beyond the limitations of the 9A2000, although Hu suggests that assistance may be forthcoming in the future.
One caveat to consider is that these claims originate directly from Loongson. Without independent verification or internal testing, there’s no reliable basis to support these claims. For Chinese-speaking customers, it may be a challenge to assess the cardboard’s performance in the dark. One key factor is the efficacy with which a graphics card’s drivers enable smooth performance in contemporary AAA games, where developers are less likely to prioritize support.
While it’s unrealistic to expect this product to rival those typically found in Western markets, it falls short of meeting our expectations. While Chinese AI chip makers initially lagged behind industry leaders like Nvidia and AMD, they are now rapidly gaining ground. While the Loongson 9A2000 doesn’t compete directly with an RTX 4080 powerhouse, potential future iterations could challenge that notion. The 9A2000 offers a unique opportunity for Chinese-language prospects to create their own distinct financial solutions, which could perform well if priced competitively.
While the Loongson 9A2000 may not be a viable option outside of China, those seeking an affordable graphics upgrade might consider our comprehensive review of the AMD Radeon RX 7600 instead. At around $260, this graphics card offers robust financial value with DX12 capabilities, making it a significantly more attractive option for PC gamers compared to Loongson’s current alternatives.
