power

For the first time, the TOP500 list is also providing power consumption values for many of the computing systems and it will continue tracking them in consistent manner. As “name-plate” power ratings can be several times higher than actual consumed power levels, we decided not to report name-plate or peak-power ratings at all and to report measured values only.

Did you know that a small cluster today (less than 1/2 rack) would top the Top500 list from just ten years ago? The computational power that is easily within reach today significantly surpasses that available only to the national labs from that time.

The SC07 Cluster Challenge showcases the significance of this and highlights how accessible clusters are to anyone today. In this Challenge, teams of undergraduate students will assemble a small cluster on the Exhibit floor and run benchmarks & applications selected by industry and HPC veterans.

Green supercomputing is becoming a fact and a new generation of compact and energy-efficient computers is emerging. A supercomputer 10 times more energy efficient and up to 300 times faster than its traditional equivalents has been unveiled in Scotland last march.

But making your supercomputer low power enough that you can run it using pedal power is something new.