Supercomputer?

Question

So, what exactly would be the purpose of creating a supercomputer (besides bragging rights) and how could you actually use this to help in your everyday life?

Also, how and what, is the best way to go about doing this?

DAB · Accepted Answer

Hi Anthony,

The power of a "super" computer is determined by its application.

There are a number of applications that require a lot of computations to process raw data into useful information.

In most cases, it is the parallel processing capability that makes some computers attractive for distributed or parallel data systems.

I would question most people (hacker/maker) need for such processing, but I am sure that there are exceptions to that statement.

The biggest problem with such large computing capability is the software support to easily exploit them. Most computer languages are not meant to be used in a multi-processor environment, so it takes a bit of effort to set up both the data and the application software to really have an effect.

I hope this reply is of use.

DAB

colecago · Answer

I think he's thinking of a supercomputer in the traditional terms, which is much different than a high power gaming machine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercomputer Basically a cluster of computers or cores working in parallel to do large tasks like large calculations, sequencing dna, processing data, etc. I don't think most people would have a use for a super computer as it is a highly specialized device that is meant for very specific tasks. You could build one or rent one if you wanted to though http://mashable.com/2011/12/30/amazon-cloud-supercomputer/ http://www.zdnet.com/build-your-own-supercomputer-out-of-raspberry-pi-boards-7000015831/

dwinhold · Answer

Well, for personal use having a super computer I feel would be for bragging rights (I know as I have one). They can be an expensive toy or be used for a purpose. My personal computer (the one I am using now for surfing the Internet) is a 2 processor, with quad core 3.4 xeon's. A huge over kill, but I built it myself for under $400. I am currently building a computer with 3 - hexacore processors (18 cores total). (Notice the bragging)..... For myself it is the challenge as well as I teach my kids how to do this as well. I built a 4 node Raspberry Pi Beowulf cluster, why?, to see if I could. Learned a lot doing so. But when it comes down to it, I don't have much use for anything that powerful (yet) but it is cool when the friends come over and ask how it runs (There again, the bragging starts). The purpose of the super computer is either servers or running heavy graphics with several users (Game design programs, etc.) I just enjoy building them and setting up my friends to have one as well. Dale W.