Cray-2 Supercomputer Comparisons

[berkeman]

I "liked" a post on Facebook earlier today that compared the computing power of a Cray-2 supercomputer from the 1980s to a current full-featured desktop graphics computer. The current computer was amazingly stronger compared to the Cray-2 computer system.

I was fortunate enough to see a Cray-2 system at the national weather lab in Boulder Colorado in the early 1980s when I was working in Denver, and it was amazing. The cooling system was very impressive, and I liked the playful additions like the seat cushions around the cylindrical main computing unit (not shown in the image below of a Cray-2 system that I found online, unfortunately).

Because of that "like", I got this follow-up post in my FB feed:

https://www.computerhistory.org/revolution/supercomputers/10/68

 

[Roberto Pavani]

I cannot find a picture, but only the project:
https://github.com/DarkwaveTechnologies/Cray-2-Reboot

Cray2 clone perfectly working on your desk in minuature using FPGA.

 

[Baluncore]

46 years of Moore's law can make a difference. 2²¹ = 2.1 million.

There is another difference between a Cray-2 and the iPhone 14. The Cray-2 ran serious programs, while iPhones help waste the population's time on cat videos, and wrecking motor vehicles while texting.