# ASCI Q
**Wikidata**: [Q71935089](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q71935089)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/asci-q-q71935089

## Summary

ASCI Q is located in the United States[1].

## Summary
ASCI Q was a supercomputer built by Hewlett-Packard for Los Alamos National Laboratory, utilizing DEC Alpha processors and Tru64 UNIX to achieve high-performance computing. It ranked among the world's fastest supercomputers from 2003 to 2007, peaking at #2 in the TOP500 list.

## Key Facts
- **Manufacturer**: Hewlett-Packard  
- **Processor**: DEC Alpha  
- **Operating System**: Tru64 UNIX  
- **Location**: Los Alamos, United States  
- **Service Period**: June 2003 – November 2007  
- **Processor Cores**: 8,192  
- **Peak Performance**: 640 gigaflops (Rpeak, June 2003)  
- **TOP500 Rank**: #2 (June 2003 – June 2004)  
- **Affiliation**: Los Alamos National Laboratory  
- **Industry**: Research  

## FAQs
### Q: What was ASCI Q used for?
A: ASCI Q supported scientific research at Los Alamos National Laboratory, particularly for the Accelerated Strategic Computing Initiative, focusing on stockpile stewardship simulations and high-performance computational science.  

### Q: How did ASCI Q rank in the TOP500?
A: It debuted at #2 in the June 2003 TOP500 list, maintained that rank until June 2004, then gradually dropped to #92 by June 2008 before retirement.  

### Q: What hardware defined ASCI Q?
A: It used 8,192 DEC Alpha processor cores with Tru64 UNIX as its operating system, designed by Hewlett-Packard.  

### Q: When was ASCI Q operational?
A: The system entered service in June 2003 and was retired by November 2007.  

## Why It Matters
ASCI Q represented a significant leap in supercomputing capabilities for scientific research during its operational period. As part of the U.S. government's Accelerated Strategic Computing Initiative, it advanced nuclear stockpile stewardship and complex modeling efforts. Its sustained TOP500 rankings underscored its role in pushing computational boundaries, enabling breakthroughs in high-energy physics and materials science. The collaboration between Los Alamos National Laboratory and Hewlett-Packard demonstrated large-scale supercomputer deployment for national scientific priorities, influencing future supercomputer architecture and HPC workflows.  

## Notable For
- **Achieved TOP500 #2 Ranking**: Held the #2 position globally in the TOP500 list from June 2003 to June 2004.  
- **DEC Alpha Innovation**: One of the largest deployments of DEC Alpha processors for high-performance computing.  
- **Long-Term Service**: Operated continuously for over four years (2003–2007), outlasting many contemporary supercomputers.  
- **National Security Impact**: Supported critical stockpile stewardship research at Los Alamos National Laboratory.  

## Body
### Overview
ASCI Q was a supercomputer deployed at Los Alamos National Laboratory, serving as a key asset for the U.S. Department of Energy's Accelerated Strategic Computing Initiative. It was manufactured by Hewlett-Packard and operational from June 2003 to November 2007.

### Hardware Configuration
- **CPU**: DEC Alpha processors  
- **Cores**: 8,192 processor cores  
- **Operating System**: Tru64 UNIX  
- **Country of Origin**: United States  

### Performance Specifications
- **Rmax Performance**:  
  - 538.4 gigaflops (June 2003)  
  - 538.4 gigaflops (November 2003)  
- **Rpeak Performance**:  
  - 640 gigaflops (June 2003)  
  - 640 gigaflops (November 2003)  

### TOP500 Rankings
- **June 2003**: #2  
- **November 2003**: #2  
- **June 2004**: #3  
- **November 2004**: #6  
- **June 2005**: #12  
- **November 2005**: #18  
- **June 2006**: #25  
- **November 2006**: #40  
- **June 2007**: #62  
- **November 2007**: #92  

### Service History
- **Service Entry**: June 2003  
- **Service Retirement**: November 2007  
- **Part of**: Los Alamos National Laboratory  

### Related Entities
- **Manufacturer**: Hewlett-Packard (1939–2015)  
- **Processor**: DEC Alpha (launched 1992)  
- **Operating System**: Tru64 UNIX (launched 1992)

## References

1. [Source](https://www.top500.org/site/48276/)
2. [Source](https://www.top500.org/system/166901/)