# ASCI Q

> supercomputer released in 2002

**Wikidata**: [Q133476788](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q133476788)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/asci-q-q133476788

## Summary
ASCI Q is a supercomputer manufactured by Hewlett-Packard that was released in 2002. Located in the United States, it utilized 8,192 DEC Alpha processor cores to achieve a performance of 13,880 gigaflops. At its peak in June 2003, it was ranked the second fastest supercomputer in the world on the TOP500 list.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Supercomputer.
*   **Release Date:** 2002.
*   **Manufacturer:** Hewlett-Packard.
*   **Location:** United States.
*   **Processor Architecture:** 8,192 DEC Alpha cores (1.25 GHz).
*   **Interconnect:** Quadrics bus.
*   **Operating System:** Tru64 UNIX.
*   **Performance (Rmax):** 13,880 gigaflops.
*   **Performance (Rpeak):** 20,480 gigaflops.
*   **Rankings:** Ranked #2 on the TOP500 list in June 2003; dropped to #92 by November 2007.

## FAQs
### Q: Who manufactured the ASCI Q supercomputer?
A: The ASCI Q was manufactured by the American information technology company Hewlett-Packard.

### Q: What operating system did ASCI Q run on?
A: ASCI Q ran on the Tru64 UNIX operating system, which was released in 1992.

### Q: How did ASCI Q perform on the TOP500 rankings?
A: ASCI Q achieved its highest ranking of #2 on the TOP500 list in June 2003. By November 2007, its ranking had fallen to #92.

### Q: What specific hardware components were used in ASCI Q?
A: The system used DEC Alpha 64-bit RISC microprocessors running at 1.25 GHz and utilized a Quadrics bus architecture.

## Why It Matters
ASCI Q represents a significant era in high-performance computing history, showcasing the capabilities of American supercomputing in the early 2000s. Manufactured by Hewlett-Packard, it serves as a prime example of large-scale system integration, combining thousands of processors to solve complex computational problems.

The machine is notable for its use of the DEC Alpha architecture, a 64-bit RISC microprocessor design that was distinct from the x86 architectures that would later dominate the market. By achieving a sustained performance (Rmax) of 13.88 teraflops (13,880 gigaflops), ASCI Q demonstrated the viability of scaling proprietary Unix systems (Tru64 UNIX) and specialized interconnects (Quadrics) to massive levels. Its ascent to the #2 spot on the TOP500 list in June 2003 highlights its role as a critical tool for scientific research or national security applications within the United States, offering a performance peak (Rpeak) of over 20 teraflops at a time when such speeds were at the absolute frontier of computing technology.

## Notable For
*   **Elite Ranking:** Achieving the position of the 2nd fastest supercomputer in the world in June 2003.
*   **Scale of Cores:** Integrating 8,192 processor cores at a time when large-scale clustering was a formidable engineering challenge.
*   **Architecture:** Serving as a high-profile implementation of the DEC Alpha 64-bit RISC microprocessor in a top-tier supercomputer.
*   **Raw Power:** Delivering an Rpeak performance exceeding 20,480 gigaflops (20.48 teraflops).

## Body

### System Specifications and Architecture
ASCI Q was a supercomputer instance deployed in the United States in 2002. The system architecture was built around the **DEC Alpha** microprocessor, a 64-bit RISC chip originally conceived in 1992. The specific configuration for ASCI Q involved **8,192 processor cores** running at a clock speed of **1.25 GHz**.

To facilitate communication between these thousands of nodes, the system employed a **Quadrics** bus interconnect. The entire system was manufactured by **Hewlett-Packard**, a major American information technology company.

### Performance Metrics
The computational power of ASCI Q was measured using the LINPACK benchmark, resulting in two key performance figures:
*   **Rmax (Maximal LINPACK Performance):** 13,880 gigaflops (approximately 13.88 teraflops). This represents the sustained performance of the system.
*   **Rpeak (Theoretical Peak Performance):** 20,480 gigaflops (approximately 20.48 teraflops). This represents the theoretical maximum speed of the hardware.

### Historical Rankings
ASCI Q's standing in the global supercomputing landscape is documented by the **TOP500** project:
*   **June 2003:** The system reached its peak global rank of **#2**.
*   **November 2007:** Reflecting the rapid advancement of computing technology, the system's rank had dropped to **#92**.

### Software Environment
The operations of ASCI Q were managed by **Tru64 UNIX**, an operating system originally released in 1992. This OS was chosen to manage the complex 64-bit DEC Alpha architecture, ensuring stability and performance for high-performance computing tasks.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.top500.org/system/166901/)