Supercomputers are redefining the boundaries of computation and research. The United States has recently reclaimed its position at the forefront of this technological race, with ‘Frontier,’ the fastest supercomputer, breaking previous records.
Capable of executing over a billion operations per second, Frontier has achieved the monumental feat of exascale computing, a first of its kind. This incredible speed is beyond numerical superiority; it will help us understand complex issues like climate change, diseases such as COVID-19 and cancer, and other scientific research.
What distinguishes supercomputers like Frontier is their extraordinary processing power and speed. Their ability to handle and analyze massive datasets at incredible speeds. This speed is measured in operations per second, with Frontier reaching the exascale – a benchmark that seemed out of reach not long ago.
It’s important to note, however, that there might be even faster machines out there, unranked, because their operators chose not to submit them for evaluation. While Frontier leads, it faces stiff competition from other global contenders.
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The top 10 fastest supercomputers
Frontier
Frontier stands as the world’s fastest supercomputer. Built by Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and situated in the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Tennessee, USA, Frontier has claimed the coveted number one spot. This powerful machine is proof of our advancements in computational technology, representing a significant leap in processing capabilities.
Fugaku
Previously the champion, Fugaku now holds the second rank among the world’s fastest supercomputers. It’s housed at the Riken Center for Computational Science in Kobe, Japan. Notably, Fugaku is three times faster than its nearest rival in the top 10, a feat that underscores its extraordinary computational power and efficiency.
LUMI
Another masterpiece from Hewlett Packard Enterprise, LUMI, secures its place as the third fastest supercomputer. Operating from Finland, LUMI is a symbol of computational excellence. It is proof of Europe’s commitment to advancing high-performance computing.
Summit
The fourth fastest supercomputer is Summit, an IBM creation, also located at ORNL in Tennessee. Summit is a critical tool in addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time, including climate change, extreme weather prediction, and unraveling the genetic factors related to opioid addiction.
Sierra
Ranking fifth among the fastest supercomputers is Sierra, positioned at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, USA. Sierra plays a vital role in national security, primarily used for testing and ensuring the reliability of nuclear weapons. This supercomputer exemplifies the intersection of advanced computing and critical safety measures.
Sunway TaihuLight
China’s top contender in the race for the fastest supercomputer is the Sunway TaihuLight. Developed by the National Research Center of Parallel Computer Engineering and Technology, this remarkable system is located in Wuxi, Jiangsu. It showcases the country’s capability to build world-class computational resources.
Perlmutter
Making its mark in the top 10 is Perlmutter, another powerful system backed by HPE technology. This supercomputer is a key player in the global high-performance computing arena, demonstrating HPE’s continued influence and innovation in developing cutting-edge computing systems.
Selene
Nestled within the facilities of AI giant NVIDIA in the US, Selene is a formidable supercomputer. Its presence in the top 10 underscores NVIDIA’s commitment to advancing computational capabilities, particularly in artificial intelligence, where Selene plays a pivotal role.
Tianhe-2A
Developed by China’s National University of Defence Technology, Tianhe-2A is housed at the National Supercomputer Center in Guangzhou. This impressive system not only reflects China’s technological advancements but also its dedication to pushing the frontiers of computational research and development.
Adastra
France’s Adastra is the second-fastest supercomputer in Europe. Built using HPE and AMD technology, Adastra highlights the collaborative efforts in the global tech community. It is built to achieve greater heights in computational speed and efficiency.
Supercomputers, from Frontier to Adastra, are at the apex of computing technology, far surpassing the capabilities of standard office or home computers. Unlike typical computers with a single central processing unit, these technological giants boast thousands of units, enabling them to process and analyze data at unprecedented speeds.
Read also: Who are computational designers and how to become one?
