Record Amount of Supercomputer Time Means New Science

[0iD]

Record Amount of Supercomputer Time Means New Science

The (U.S.) Department of Energy is releasing a record amount of supercomputing time, 1.3 billion processor hours, which has astrophysicists, biologists and everyone in between drooling in anticipation.

Starting in 2010, some of them will have the chance to run the biggest and most intricate simulations ever, creating experimental galaxies, plasma fusion reactors and global climates to help solve some of science’s most complex problems.

[MadduckUK]

but can it run crysis

[0iD]

It can, but the framerate's still awful

[shaithis]

Have they got a F@H client for it?

[Oobie-]

What about the electricity bill?!

[dave87]

Nice to see that the US' priorities haven't changed - the largest supercomputer is still designated to Nuclear Weapon simulations.

Ah well, spose they are picking up the tab, though I thought the supercomputers would be under the CIA/DOD banner rather than Department of Energy....

[directhex]

Interestingly, both systems up for grabs are actually just super-whizzy clusters when all's said and done

[dave87]

Interestingly, both systems up for grabs are actually just super-whizzy clusters when all's said and done

Indeed - but 120k processors?


That has got to have cost a pretty penny?

[TheChamp1000]

Indeed - but 120k processors?


That has got to have cost a pretty penny?

Is the multiplier unlocked on that or not?
I like to spend my 120k wisely

[Funkstar]

Is the multiplier unlocked on that or not?
I like to spend my 120k wisely

Thats 120,000 processors, not £120,000

[TheChamp1000]

Thats 120,000 processors, not £120,000

(puts credit card away)

(shuffles off behind curtain)

(has left the building)

(can see a light, a bright light)

(aaaaah nirvana, it's jimmy calderwood's suntan machine)

[directhex]

Indeed - but 120k processors?


That has got to have cost a pretty penny?

Both BlueGene and Cray XT are very expensive systems - BlueGene moreso as it requires very specialist data centre facilities. However, don't be fooled by BlueGene's core count - first, divide by half for typical configuration (1 core out of 2 used for OS tasks). Next remember that these are low-end POWER4 chips.

[kidzer]

(aaaaah nirvana, it's jimmy calderwood's suntan machine)

I just LOL'ed

...and got some odd looks from folks in the office!

[schmunk]

However, don't be fooled by BlueGene's core count - first, divide by half for typical configuration (1 core out of 2 used for OS tasks).

Running Vista, eh?

[MadduckUK]

Running Vista, eh?

potd

[Grotbags]

Maybe men can finally find out why the hell women complain so much!