Lisuan Tech, a deep-tech startup based in China, has unveiled the 7G106 gaming GPU, distinguishing itself as the country´s first graphics processing unit produced on a 6 nanometer process node. Emerging from aspirations to serve China´s vast PC gaming market, the 7G106 offers a homegrown alternative for gamers seeking affordability and relevance, especially as mainstream graphics cards become increasingly cost-prohibitive.
The architecture behind the 7G106 is called TrueGPU, a proprietary design that underscores Lisuan Tech´s goal to drive innovation while addressing local demand. The name ´7G´ is noteworthy—phonetically resonating with the Chinese word for ´miracle´, it encapsulates the startup’s ambition and resilience during the chip’s development. Manufactured using TSMC´s advanced N6 (6 nm DUV) foundry node, the GPU boasts a monolithic die that harnesses contemporary gaming needs. Its feature set includes support for a breadth of widely-used graphics APIs such as DirectX 12, Vulkan 1.3, and OpenGL 4.6, ensuring strong compatibility with modern PC titles and 3D applications.
The 7G106 is engineered to deliver practical performance rather than bleeding-edge visual effects, reflecting a market focus on gameplay experience and accessible hardware. Notably, while the GPU accommodates DirectX 12, it forgoes ray tracing features found in DirectX 12 Ultimate, aligning itself squarely in the mainstream segment. The SIMD engine powering the chip provides strong computational flexibility with FP32 operations and the new INT8 data type, offering a maximum performance of 24 TFLOP/s (FP32). Developers can utilize OpenCL 3.0 as the primary compute language, reinforcing the card’s openness for software development and optimization. With its combination of local innovation, attractive price positioning, and versatile compatibility, the 7G106 positions Lisuan Tech as a potential contender not only in China but possibly in broader gaming markets looking for alternatives to legacy brands.
