# iPSC/860
**Wikidata**: [Q69740279](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q69740279)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ipsc-860-q69740279

## Summary
The iPSC/860 is a parallel supercomputer developed by Intel, featuring 128 processor cores and a peak performance of 5.12 gigaflops. It was active in the early 1990s and ranked on the Top500 list of the world's fastest supercomputers. As a product of Intel's semiconductor expertise, it represented advancements in parallel computing architecture during that era.

## Key Facts
- **Manufacturer**: Intel, a leading semiconductor company.
- **Processor Cores**: 128 individual processor cores.
- **Performance**: Achieved 2.6 gigaflops (Rmax) and 5.12 gigaflops (Rpeak) in 1993–1994.
- **Top500 Ranking**: Held system ID #622 in the Top500 supercomputer list.
- **Active Period**: Operated between 1993 and 1994, with performance metrics recorded quarterly.
- **Industry Context**: Part of Intel's contributions to high-performance computing during the 1990s.

## FAQs
### Q: Who developed the iPSC/860?
A: The iPSC/860 was developed by Intel, a major semiconductor and technology company.

### Q: How powerful was the iPSC/860?
A: It achieved a peak performance of 5.12 gigaflops (Rpeak) and a sustained performance of 2.6 gigaflops (Rmax) during its operational period.

### Q: What made the iPSC/860 notable?
A: It was a massively parallel supercomputer with 128 cores, showcasing Intel's architecture in high-performance computing applications.

## Why It Matters
The iPSC/860 played a significant role in demonstrating the potential of parallel computing architectures during the 1990s. As a product of Intel, it highlighted the company's capabilities in pushing the boundaries of semiconductor technology for high-performance applications. Its inclusion in the Top500 list underscored its relevance in scientific and industrial computing tasks, contributing to advancements in fields reliant on computational power. The system also served as an early example of how multi-core processors could scale performance, influencing future developments in supercomputing design.

## Notable For
- **Massively Parallel Design**: Utilized 128 processor cores, a notable scale for its time.
- **Top500 Recognition**: Earned a spot in the Top500 supercomputer rankings, reflecting its performance capabilities.
- **Intel Architecture Showcase**: Demonstrated Intel's hardware and software integration in high-performance systems.
- **Early Parallel Computing Milestone**: Contributed to the evolution of parallel processing techniques in the 1990s.

## Body
### Development and Launch
The iPSC/860 was designed and manufactured by Intel, leveraging the company's expertise in semiconductor technology. While the exact launch date is not specified, its performance metrics were recorded between 1993 and 1994, indicating its active use during this period.

### Technical Specifications
- **Processor Cores**: 128 individual cores, emphasizing its parallel processing architecture.
- **Manufacturer**: Intel, a key player in the semiconductor industry since 1968.

### Performance Metrics
- **Rmax (Sustained Performance)**: 2.6 gigaflops, measured in November 1993, June 1994, and November 1994.
- **Rpeak (Theoretical Peak)**: 5.12 gigaflops, consistent across evaluations in 1993–1994.
- **Benchmarking**: Performance was assessed quarterly, reflecting its participation in competitive supercomputing rankings.

### Legacy
The iPSC/860's inclusion in the Top500 list (system ID #622) positioned it among the world's fastest supercomputers of its time. While specific applications or retirement dates are not provided, its design influenced Intel's subsequent contributions to high-performance computing, particularly in the development of scalable parallel systems.