MCR Cluster Supercomputer: Ranked 5th Fastest in the World by TOP500

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the ranking and capabilities of the MCR cluster supercomputer, specifically its performance metrics and comparisons with other supercomputers, including IBM's Blue Gene system and NEC's Earth Simulator. The conversation also touches on the implications for gaming performance, particularly regarding the game DOOM 3 and the hardware requirements for optimal performance.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that the MCR supercomputer is ranked fifth on the TOP500 list, highlighting its processing capability of 5.694 trillion calculations per second.
  • Others mention IBM's Blue Gene system, which is expected to surpass the MCR in speed, claiming it can sustain 36 teraflops, although it is still under construction.
  • There is a discussion about the hardware requirements for running DOOM 3, with some participants suggesting that a powerful video card is crucial for performance rather than just the processor speed.
  • One participant argues that the Nvidia Quadro FX 4400 is not suitable for gaming, while others counter that newer models from ATI and Nvidia can handle DOOM 3 effectively.
  • Participants express differing opinions on the necessary specifications for optimal gaming performance, particularly regarding video memory and processing power.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the performance requirements for DOOM 3 and the suitability of various graphics cards for gaming. There is no consensus on the best hardware for achieving maximum performance in the game.

Contextual Notes

Some claims regarding hardware specifications and performance are based on personal experiences and may not reflect broader consensus or availability of components.

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SALT LAKE CITY -- MCR, the cluster supercomputer Linux NetworX built for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, was ranked today as the fifth fastest supercomputer in the world on the TOP500 supercomputing list.

The 2,304-processor cluster can process 5.694 trillion calculations per second (teraFLOP s) running the Linpak benchmark, and is the only Linux-based supercomputer to be ranked within the top five. A 361-node cluster Linux NetworX built for Argonne National Laboratory also broke the teraFLOP barrier, capable of 1.6 trillion calculations per second, and is ranked 46th on the TOP500 supercomputing list. The TOP500 lists the 500 most powerful supercomputers in the world based on Linpak benchmark results.
NEW YORK -- IBM claimed unofficial bragging rights Tuesday as owner of the world's fastest supercomputer.

For three years running, the fastest supercomputer has been NEC's Earth Simulator in Japan.

Earth Simulator can sustain speeds of 35.86 teraflops.

IBM said its still-unfinished Blue Gene L System, named for its ability to model the folding of human proteins, can sustain speeds of 36 teraflops. A teraflop is 1 trillion calculations per second.

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory plans to install the Blue Gene system next year with 130,000 processors and 64 racks, half a tennis court in size.
Anyone here have any 'teraflop' video arcade games available for download?

I suppose the desktop and laptop 'teraflop' computer versions should be released out by next year...[/color]

Reference:
http://archive.harktheherald.com/archive_detail.php?archiveFile=./pubfiles/prv/archive/2004/September/29/Financial/48714.xml&start=0&numPer=20&keyword=teraflop&sectionSearch=&begindate=1%2F1%2F1997&enddate=12%2F31%2F2004&authorSearch=&IncludeStories=1&pubsection=&page=&IncludePages=&IncludeImages=&mode=allwords&archive_pubname=Heraldextra.com%0A%09%09%09
http://archive.harktheherald.com/archive_detail.php?archiveFile=./pubfiles/prv/archive/2002/November/19/Business/47009.xml&start=0&numPer=20&keyword=teraflop&sectionSearch=&begindate=1%2F1%2F1997&enddate=12%2F31%2F2004&authorSearch=&IncludeStories=1&pubsection=&page=&IncludePages=&IncludeImages=&mode=allwords&archive_pubname=The+Daily+Herald%0A%09%09%09
 
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Right now DOOM 3 is being beta tested for linux, so this will be a great oppurtunity to see the maximum capabilities of the game.
 
dduardo said:
Right now DOOM 3 is being beta tested for linux, so this will be a great oppurtunity to see the maximum capabilities of the game.

not really. all you need for max performance in the way of the game logic and processing is a 2 GHz AMD 2500+. what kills Doom3 in performance is the video card. you need a video card that has all the modern codec abilities built in and has 512 MBs of video memory in order to run the game at full details.

now you may say "hey wait a minute, there are no such cards" well, your right.
 
512MB graphics cards

modmans2ndcoming said:
what kills Doom3 in performance is the video card. you need a video card that has all the modern codec abilities built in and has 512 MBs of video memory in order to run the game at full details.

now you may say "hey wait a minute, there are no such cards" well, your right.
Nvidia Quadro FX 4400?
 
hitssquad said:
Nvidia Quadro FX 4400?
full cad and model building design card..
Right now, my 9800XT 256MB, P4 3.06GHz, 1GB RAM, will run Doom3 in highest detail in 1024x768, with a little overclocking. :smile: