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The UK's Fastest Supercomputer

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the hello-computer dept.

bmsleight writes "The Guardian has a story on the HECToR, The largest supercomputer in the UK — around five times more powerful than its predecessor, HPCx, which is also at the University of Edinburgh. It measures up well internationally, sitting at 17 in the top500.org list of the most powerful computers in the world."

4 of 131 comments (clear)

  1. Re:UK commitment to science by oojimaflib · · Score: 5, Funny

    In other news, bioscientists at the university of Leicester have developed a new species of grass. It promises to be at least two times greener than comparable varieties in the US.

  2. 17th isn't bad by magarity · · Score: 5, Funny

    It measures up well internationally, sitting at 17
     
    The British don't mind being at any number as long as the best French *whatever* is lower ranked - 19 in the case of the latest supercomputer list. Although they might be a little out of sorts that Spain is above them at 13.
     
    Note: if you are British or have any British friends, the above is 'funny' or 'insightful', not 'flamebait' or 'troll'.

  3. Re:17th isn't good enough by AvitarX · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Wouldn't it make sense to compare total computing power to GDP, or at the least total scientific computing power?

    I would doubt for example you would have the same complaint if the UK had the 17-100 spots on the list.

    It could very well be that the UK is spending a lot more on research, but does not like to spend it on large super computersm or even spends it partnering with facilities in other countries.

    --
    Wow, sent an e-mail as suggested when clicking on "use classic" banner, and got a fast response that addressed my msg
  4. Cray XT4 Supercomputer by icehawk55 · · Score: 5, Informative

    The article really didn't say much about HECToR itself. It's a 60 cabinet Cray XT4 system that currently has over 5500 AMD dual core processors. We'll be upgrading it in stages over the next couple of years to over 250 Teraflops. Including some cabinets of the new Black Widow Vector product, now called the Cray X2 system. The Cray team, myself part of it, is actually a multinational effort. I'm a US citizen who is headed over to maintain the system, we have a Brit on the team and the third is also from outside the UK. It's an interesting situation. The biggest UK system, being maintained by two expats and a local. (-: ice_hawk55