Life 1984

Sihai Group's Longteng computers have been shipped to various branches around the world.

The US branch also has computers equipped with Longteng chips.

After Li Yunhai conveyed the order at the Xizhou headquarters, people from branches in various countries gave X64 chips to major computer manufacturers.

Computer manufacturers around the world have evaluated Longteng chips and made horizontal comparisons with chips such as Intel and AMD.

After the results came out, they shocked computer manufacturers around the world.

The Chinese silently took the lead in overcoming the big problem of the X64 architecture!

Peers such as Intel and AMD also obtained Dragon chips and conducted tests. The results naturally shocked them and rewritten their stereotypes about Chinese semiconductor manufacturing.

As we all know, Intel developed X80 chips as early as the 64s, but unfortunately it ended in failure. Then it suffered from laziness and temporarily slowed down the project.

AMD has always wanted to catch up with Intel, so it has devoted its energy to the development of the X64 architecture, but it has no idea yet.

64-bit is not only numerically ahead of 32-bit, but also has been greatly improved in performance and application scenarios.

在硬件上，32位软件和64位最大区别，32位系统最大只支持4GB内存，而64位系统成功的突破了这一限制。这也是后世将64位推上舞台的重要原因。

But in the 90s, this advantage was not prominent enough. After all, the memory of computers was not large enough to be calculated in GB.

In addition, 64-bit processors solve the problem of the memory address bus. A 32-bit processor requires 4 registers for one operation, but only 64 are needed on a 2-bit processor. The benefit is obvious, that is, it becomes faster.

In Windows systems, a single program process on a 32-bit system can only use up to 2GB of memory space, which makes memory-hungry software such as graphic design almost unable to work. There is no such restriction in 64-bit systems.

The most fatal thing is that Sihai Group successfully bypassed the X86 instruction set, rewritten a new instruction set in another open source language, and completed the construction of the X64 architecture.

This is equivalent to peers still playing with second-generation fighters, while Sihai Group jumped directly from first-generation fighters to third-generation fighters. It not only completed overtaking in corners, but also formed a dimensionality reduction strike!

Smart people immediately realized how awesome this chip was!

Previously, Intel insisted on going its own way and cut off all cooperation with Sihai Group. Now that they see such a powerful Longteng chip, they feel deeply annoyed!

Regret is impossible!

Although the Dragon chip is great, it does not mean that Intel is weak.

According to Moore's Law, the development of semiconductors will not rely too much on X64 chips in the next ten years.

In other words, although the X64 chip has been developed, there are not many application scenarios so far.

The development of computer hardware is not as fast as that of later generations, and it is still stuck in the 80386 and 80486 era.

As for systems, most people use DOS and Windows 3.0 systems.

Microsoft began working on the OS/1988 version with IBM in 2, but the two companies parted ways in 1991. Microsoft went to make its own Windows, while IBM continued the development of OS/2.

In the same industry, Microsoft is still not considered strong. Fortunately, it separated from IBM, which later became Microsoft.

After leaving IBM, Microsoft released a new system that began to fully run multimedia and network functions. The interface was also beautified, supported TrueType fonts, and released a multi-language version of the system, but there was still no Chinese version.

The market response to this system was very good, with sales reaching 1000 million units within two years. This gives Microsoft the ability to compete head-on with Apple's Mac for the first time.

In general, the current systems and software do not have high hardware requirements.

The X64 chip is compatible with all systems on the market, including systems released by Microsoft, IBM, and Apple.

At the same time, Sihai Group also released its own Windows operating system.

The Sihai system is not sold separately, but is installed with Longteng computers and given to consumers for free trial.

This operating system uses a window interface, which simplifies the boot process, and you can choose a full Chinese interface.

Of course, if users need it, they can also install other operating systems on Longteng computers.

Peers and the industry have successively evaluated the Longteng chip, and the conclusions are surprisingly consistent: This is an epoch-making invention that is likely to threaten X86 architecture chips in the future.

Intel is not scared by Longteng chips, because they can also develop X86-86-bit chips based on the X64 architecture, but it will require a lot of time and capital investment.

It's just that Intel can now enjoy the dividends of X86. It invests huge funds and personnel in the development of new products every year, and it is temporarily unable to develop the X64 architecture that is less needed.

AMD has different ideas.

They are different from Intel in that their chips are licensed from Intel and do not have their own original chip architecture.

When they saw the Longteng chip, they were overjoyed and felt that this was the product they had always dreamed of!

Therefore, AMD contacted Sihai Group and proposed to acquire Longteng chips.

Li Yunhai did not register the patent for the Longteng chip.

This prevents the outside world from understanding the basics of this technology, because there is no public information at all.

If you register a patent, you need to disclose part of the patented technology, and interested people can find some ways to do it.

Therefore, after many advanced technologies are developed, patents will not be registered at all, which makes people keep secret. This kind of technology is often very unlikely to be copied.

After Li Yunhai received AMD's acquisition request, he directly rejected the other party's request without asking about the price.

Longteng Chip is not only the pride of Sihai Group, but also the only weapon for the Chinese to fight back in the chip industry!

Once it is sold, our country will not be able to keep up with the Westerners in the next track, and can only do things within the framework prescribed by others.

AMD was not discouraged and the acquisition failed. It immediately proposed cooperation and asked Sihai Group to grant them a permanent production authorization and obtain production authorization for new products year by year.

This request was too high, but Li Yunhai did not refuse immediately.

In the final analysis, the Longteng chip is just a chip, and its value needs to be reflected in the installed capacity.

It was impossible for Intel to cooperate, and AMD became Sihai Group's only partner and their only opportunity.

Li Yunhai is willing to cooperate with AMD, but he must first think about how to cooperate.

The authorization is signed once a year, and the authorization fee is tentatively set at US$10 million per year. After all, the Dragon chip has just been launched and does not have much market share.

AMD agreed to Li Yunhai's request, but put forward two additional requirements. First, AMD's renewal rights should not be canceled without reason in the next year. Second, AMD must be consulted when sublicensing to other manufacturers.

Li Yunhai replied that the first request was acceptable, but the second request was too unreasonable and would not be supported.

Sihai Group only authorizes the production of X64 chips, not Longteng chips.

This is like saying that Intel can authorize many manufacturers to produce 86 chips with X386 architecture, but not every 386 chip is called Intel.

Longteng chip is a brand of Sihai Group and is not authorized to be produced by any factory. The X64 chip produced by AMD can only be called AMDX64 chip, or they can give it a new name, but it is definitely not Longteng chip.

Li Yunhai also wants to open the international market for X64 chips as soon as possible through extensive authorization, so it is impossible for him to agree with AMD's second opinion.

Since Intel tightened licensing, the global chip landscape has changed dramatically.

In the past, many chip factories disappeared one after another because they could not obtain authorization.

This is also the reason why Sihai Group previously invented a photolithography machine but had very few buyers.

Even if capitalists purchase photolithography machines, they cannot obtain chip authorization and cannot produce chips.

But it's different now!

Sihai Group not only sells photolithography machines, but also independently developed chips that can be licensed to you for production!

Any capable investor can now enter this industry.

The emergence of Longteng chips has completely broken Intel's monopoly and has also found a new way out for Sihai Group's own lithography machines!

Li Yunhai believes that after the news spreads, capable people will naturally come to seek cooperation.

AMD had no choice but to agree to Li Yunhai's request.

The two companies each sent negotiators to Xizhou Tianhua Sihai Hotel for negotiations.

Negotiation experts and legal experts from both parties will discuss the details of the contract based on their respective interests.

The negotiations lasted more than three hours before ending.

Fortunately, an agreement was reached in the end, and both parties happily signed the licensing contract.

The news that Sihai Group authorized AMD to produce X64 chips became a global hit the next day.

The most surprised person was Intel.

Intel executives were extremely shocked!

Because AMD has transformed into the biggest winner in the global chip field, able to produce both X86 chips and X64 chips. No matter how the semiconductor industry develops in the future, AMD will remain invincible.

Intel, which originally had all the advantages, fell behind because of a moment of arrogance!

Intel executives held an emergency meeting to discuss the matter.

Some executives believe that the X64 chip has no great use for the time being and cannot threaten the status of the X86 chip.

But some people have pointed out that we can only be controlled by others. X86 can do everything that X64 can do; but X64 cannot do many of the things that X86 can do. This is the biggest difference between the two. If the semiconductor industry develops rapidly, we are likely to lose to X64.

The meeting agreed that we should either obtain the X64 authorization or develop our own X64 chip as soon as possible.

Self-developed chips obviously do not produce results so quickly. Everyone estimates that it may take 5 to 10 years.

In the past 10 years, the situation has changed unpredictably, and the chips have been updated for several generations. Intel will definitely have been abandoned by the times by then!

Therefore, the safest and most convenient way is to get authorization from Sihai Group.

Therefore, Intel sent someone to contact Li Yunhai and was willing to re-establish a cooperative relationship with Sihai Group.

There are no eternal friends in the world, only eternal interests.

Li Yunhai was weak before and allowed others to manipulate him.

Now that he is powerful, people who once looked down on him have no choice but to come back and beg him for cooperation.

This is how things turn.

Li Yunhai is of course willing to cooperate with Intel.

What he wants is not to monopolize the global chip industry. In fact, it is impossible for him to achieve it.

As long as your chips can occupy a certain market share, that's enough.

Li Yunhai's current goal is a 10% market share.

Whether it can be achieved depends on the results.

Of course, Li Yunhai would not let go of a chip manufacturer as powerful as Intel.

Li Yunhai will not hold any grudges in his heart, let alone affect future cooperation.

He deeply understood the truth that the strong had the final say in this world.

As long as he is strong enough, he can occupy a dominant position in his dealings with Intel.

On the contrary, if he is extremely weak, even if he holds a grudge for the rest of his life, he will not be able to bite his enemy back.

When talking about licensing fees, Intel proposed that if you charge AMD $10 million, we will follow suit and give you a licensing fee of $10 million per year.

Li Yunhai agreed to the amount of licensing fee they proposed.

He now urgently needs the help of these two companies to open up the X64 chip market.

Anyway, the authorization is signed once a year. When you have matured, you can just adjust the authorization fee.

Since then, Sihai Group has secured cooperation with the two largest chip manufacturers.

After the news spread, the whole world was shocked.

Overnight, the global chip landscape changed!

The X64 chip has become the headlines of major media around the world.

Popular science articles, gossip articles, prediction articles, all kinds of reports are available.

In any case, the X64 chip has officially become the twin stars of the chip industry together with the X86 chip!

Li Yunhai took the opportunity to publish advertisements for Longteng chips in major newspapers and magazines.

"For servers, use Longteng core, X64 architecture, specially designed for servers."

Longteng Chip's advertising focuses on server advertising. It seems that it does not threaten the X86 personal computer market, but in fact it has already affected it.

Wouldn't it be more powerful if a chip mainly used in servers is used in personal computers?

Anyone who has been exposed to computers will know that servers run non-stop 24 hours a day and handle much more workload than personal computers. A chip that can handle the server must be an excellent chip and must be better than a personal computer chip.

With this preconceived idea in mind, Longteng Chip's advertising was successful.

Suddenly, the shipments of Longteng chips and computers increased rapidly!

Under the leadership of Li Yunhai, Sihai Group finally fought a turnaround.

Lianxiang Company, which was still hesitant before, took the initiative to call and expressed its willingness to cooperate with Sihai Group to purchase Longteng chips.

Zhao Jinping came to ask Li Yunhai for instructions, should he agree to cooperate with Lianxiang Company?

Li Yunhai is not a person who holds grudges, not to mention that his fight with Lianxiang Company is limited to the business world and has no personal grudges, so he agrees to cooperate with Lianxiang Company.

If nothing unexpected happens, Lianxiang Company will definitely grow into the leading computer manufacturer in the country.

This is the result of the right time, place and people, and cannot be changed by Li Yunhai at will.

Even if the Sihai Group appears, it will not change this ending.

The biggest possibility is that Lian Xiang and Sihai Shuangxing will shine.

Zhao Jinping had to admire Mr. Li's generosity and wisdom.

Always putting corporate interests first is the key to Li Yunhai's success.

At this time, the phone on Li Yunhai's desk rang.

He picked up the phone and answered it. After chatting for a few words, he slowly put down the phone and said, "Mr. Zhao, the call is from Compaq's Greater China General Manager. He had previously rejected our request for cooperation without hesitation. , but now they are calling and want to negotiate a purchase agreement with us. Do you think there is any fraud in it? Can you negotiate cooperation with them?"

Zhao Jinping knew Li Yunhai's character and would not miss anything that involved win-win cooperation.

Although Zhao Jinping had been slighted by Compaq before, it was only a trivial matter after all.

The reason why Li Yunhai asked him was to take care of his emotions, fearing that he would hate Compaq and be unwilling to cooperate.

Zhao Jinping took a long breath and said, "Mr. Li, I respect the company's decision. There is no grudge or enmity between me and Compaq."

The company's decision is of course Li Yunhai's decision.

Li Yunhai muttered: "Cooperation is possible, but you can't agree to them so readily. They said they would send someone over to negotiate later, and I will arrange for you to hand over to them. You think about it yourself."

Zhao Jinping smiled slightly: "Thank you, Mr. Li, for trusting me. You clearly knew that I was angry with them, but you were still willing to arrange a dialogue between me and them. You didn't want to give me a chance for revenge, but you wanted to give me a chance to retaliate." A chance for me to put aside my grudges with a smile."

Li Yunhai laughed loudly and said: "Mr. Zhao, this is what I appreciate most about you. You will not affect the company's overall situation because of personal grudges. With your words, I feel relieved. Compaq's negotiations are not It will be difficult. If they take the initiative, they must have a strong will. But there is one thing you have to pay attention to."

"Mr. Li, please make it clear!" Zhao Jinping said.

"Compaq does not have a photolithography machine and cannot produce its own chips. They can only purchase them from us."

"Mr. Li, what do you mean, we can sell them the lithography machine? And then give them a chip authorization and let them build their own factory to produce it?"

"Mr. Zhao, you are really my confidant! That's what I mean. If you can successfully negotiate, that will naturally be the best! Once we sell the lithography machine, we can collect a licensing fee and give Xizhou It attracts a lot of investment! This is a great thing! It is much better than them purchasing our chips alone."

"I'm afraid they won't invest so much."

"So you need to negotiate. If you really can't negotiate, forget it."

"I understand, Mr. Li."

While they were chatting, Su Hong knocked on the door and came in. She said respectfully and gently: "Mr. Li, someone from Compaq Company is here to see you."

Li Yunhai smiled slightly: "They came so quickly! It seems that they can't wait to get the contract. Mr. Zhao, your chance has come! The initiative is already in our hands."

Zhao Jinping smiled and said: "Mr. Li, do you want to personally participate in this negotiation?"

Li Yunhai shook his head: "You negotiate with them first. Even if the negotiation breaks down, even if you have a fight with them, I will still be there to clean up the mess. If you can succeed, of course it would be best."

Zhao Jinping understood Li Yunhai's good intentions, stood up and said, "Mr. Li, please look at my performance!" (End of Chapter)