Domestically developed Godson-2E central processing unit has reached a performance equivalent to the early series of Intel's Pentium 4 CPUs, announced Hu Weiwu, chief developer of Godson series microprocessors in China's Academy of Sciences, Sina News reported.

The academy's Institute of Computing Science will publish its first official test report on Godson-2E's performance next month. Previous tests have shown that the 1-gigahertz Godson-2E CPU is capable of competing with a 2-gigahertz Pentium 4 CPU.

It is estimated that manufacturers will commence a small-volume production of its Godson-powered computer models in June. Each model may only retail 1,500 yuan (US$186.8).

"We must develop self-reliant microchip technologies. China will be severely threatened if we fail to command core technologies in the industry," Hu said.

"We had about 10 developers in a lab of only 5 to 6 square meters in the beginning," Hu said, referring to his development team experience. "But we are all young. The average age of my fellow developers was under 30. Most of them are from top domestic universities."

China has a short supply of core technology developers in the computing sciences industry, according to the report.

Godson series microchips were launched in 2002, which at the time equaled to the performance of an Intel 586 CPU. Though officially dubbed "Godson" in English, it is known in Chinese as "Longxing," literally "dragon's chip."