# iPSC/860
**Wikidata**: [Q69620428](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q69620428)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ipsc-860-q69620428

## Summary
The iPSC/860 is a supercomputer manufactured by the American technology company Intel. It features a 32-processor core architecture and achieved a maximal performance (Rmax) of 0.64 gigaflops during its benchmark periods in 1993. The system is recorded in supercomputing records with the TOP500 system ID 135.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** The iPSC/860 is a supercomputer.
*   **Manufacturer:** Produced by Intel, an American multinational technology company headquartered in Santa Clara, United States.
*   **Core Count:** The system operates with 32 processor cores.
*   **Performance (Rmax):** Achieved a sustained performance of 0.64 gigaflops on both June 1, 1993, and November 1, 1993.
*   **Performance (Rpeak):** Achieved a theoretical peak performance of 1.28 gigaflops on both June 1, 1993, and November 1, 1993.
*   **System ID:** Assigned TOP500 system ID 135.
*   **Manufacturer Context:** Intel, the manufacturer, is a major entity in the semiconductor and electrical industries, founded on July 18, 1968.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of computer is the iPSC/860?
A: The iPSC/860 is classified as a supercomputer. It was built by Intel and utilized a 32-processor core configuration.

### Q: What was the processing speed of the iPSC/860?
A: The iPSC/860 had a theoretical peak performance (Rpeak) of 1.28 gigaflops and a maximal tested performance (Rmax) of 0.64 gigaflops recorded in 1993.

### Q: When was the iPSC/860's performance recorded?
A: Performance metrics for the iPSC/860 were recorded on June 1, 1993, and again on November 1, 1993, showing consistent performance levels across both dates.

## Why It Matters
The iPSC/860 serves as a historical benchmark in the evolution of high-performance computing. Manufactured by Intel—a leader in the semiconductor industry since 1968—this system represents the era of early 1990s supercomputing architecture where parallel processing involved coordinating dozens of processor cores (specifically 32 in this instance) to solve complex computational problems.

Its documentation within the TOP500 list (System ID 135) provides critical data for tracking the growth of computing power. With a performance ceiling of 1.28 gigaflops, the iPSC/860 illustrates the capabilities of top-tier hardware during that period. The system highlights the involvement of major commercial semiconductor companies, like Intel, in the supercomputing sector, bridging the gap between standard industrial electronics and specialized high-performance machinery.

## Notable For
*   **Specific Core Configuration:** Distinguished by its use of 32 distinct processor cores.
*   **Consistent Performance:** Demonstrated identical Rmax (0.64 GFlops) and Rpeak (1.28 GFlops) metrics across two separate reporting periods in 1993.
*   **Intel Manufacturing:** A notable example of Intel's direct involvement in the supercomputer hardware market.
*   **TOP500 Ranking:** Officially cataloged with a specific System ID (135) in global supercomputer rankings.

## Body

### System Specifications
The iPSC/860 is defined by its high-performance capabilities characteristic of early 1990s supercomputers.
*   **Processor Cores:** The architecture relies on **32 processor cores** to execute operations.
*   **System Type:** It is formally classified as a **supercomputer**.

### Performance Metrics
Performance data for the iPSC/860 was captured twice in 1993, showing stable operational output.
*   **June 1, 1993:**
    *   **Rmax:** 0.64 gigaflops
    *   **Rpeak:** 1.28 gigaflops
*   **November 1, 1993:**
    *   **Rmax:** 0.64 gigaflops
    *   **Rpeak:** 1.28 gigaflops

The "Rmax" value refers to the maximal performance achieved during the benchmark, while "Rpeak" refers to the theoretical peak performance of the machine.

### Manufacturer Profile
The iPSC/860 was manufactured by **Intel**, a prominent organization in the technology sector.
*   **Foundation:** Intel was founded on July 18, 1968.
*   **Headquarters:** The company is based in Santa Clara, California, United States.
*   **Industry:** Intel operates primarily within the semiconductor and electrical industries.
*   **Scale:** As of the provided data points, Intel maintained a workforce of over 100,000 employees (specifically 107,300 in 2014 and 110,800 in 2019).