# iPSC/860
**Wikidata**: [Q69754748](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q69754748)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ipsc-860-q69754748

## Summary
The iPSC/860 is a supercomputer developed by Intel in the early 1990s, featuring 64 processor cores and a peak performance of 2.56 gigaflops. It was recognized in the TOP500 list of the world's fastest supercomputers, with system ID 668. The system demonstrated consistent performance across multiple benchmarking periods in 1993 and 1994.

## Key Facts
- **Manufacturer**: Intel, a U.S.-based semiconductor company founded in 1968.
- **Instance Type**: Supercomputer designed for parallel computing.
- **TOP500 System ID**: 668.
- **Processor Cores**: 64.
- **Performance (Rmax)**: 1.4 gigaflops (measured in June 1993, November 1993, June 1994, and November 1994).
- **Performance (Rpeak)**: 2.56 gigaflops (theoretical peak, recorded in the same periods as Rmax).
- **Benchmarking Periods**: Evaluated in June/November 1993 and June/November 1994.

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

### Q: What was the peak performance of the iPSC/860?
A: The system achieved a theoretical peak performance (Rpeak) of 2.56 gigaflops, with a measured performance (Rmax) of 1.4 gigaflops.

### Q: How many processor cores did the iPSC/860 have?
A: It utilized 64 processor cores, a notable configuration for parallel computing workloads at the time.

## Why It Matters
The iPSC/860 represents Intel's early contributions to high-performance computing (HPC) and parallel processing architectures. As a supercomputer with 64 cores, it exemplified advancements in scalable computing during the 1990s, a critical period for the development of cluster-based systems. Its inclusion in the TOP500 list underscored its relevance in scientific and technical applications requiring intensive computational power. The iPSC/860 also highlighted Intel's expansion beyond microprocessors into specialized HPC hardware, addressing demands for faster and more efficient data processing in research and industry.

## Notable For
- **Scalable Architecture**: One of Intel's early supercomputers designed for parallel processing scalability.
- **Consistent Benchmark Performance**: Maintained stable Rmax and Rpeak metrics across multiple benchmarking cycles in 1993–1994.
- **TOP500 Recognition**: Earned a spot in the TOP500 list, a prestigious ranking of supercomputing systems.

## Body
### Development Context
The iPSC/860 was part of Intel's efforts to compete in the supercomputing sector during the 1990s. Leveraging its expertise in semiconductor manufacturing, Intel designed the system to address growing demands for parallel computing power in academia, government, and industry.

### Technical Specifications
- **Processor Cores**: 64 cores, reflecting a focus on distributed processing.
- **Performance Metrics**:
  - **Rmax (Linpack Benchmark)**: 1.4 gigaflops (practical performance).
  - **Rpeak (Theoretical Maximum)**: 2.56 gigaflops.
- **Benchmarking Periods**: Evaluated in June and November of 1993 and 1994, demonstrating sustained performance over time.

### Historical Significance
The iPSC/860 operated during a transformative era for supercomputing, marked by the shift from vector processors to massively parallel architectures. Its design influenced later developments in cluster computing and highlighted Intel's role in democratizing access to high-performance hardware.

### Legacy
While specific applications of the iPSC/860 are not detailed in the source material, its inclusion in the TOP500 list and its performance consistency suggest it supported computationally intensive tasks such as scientific simulations, cryptography, and data modeling. The system remains a notable entry in the evolution of Intel's HPC product line.