# iPSC/860
**Wikidata**: [Q69760954](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q69760954)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ipsc-860-q69760954

## Summary
The iPSC/860 is a supercomputer developed by Intel as part of its iPSC (Intel Parallel Super Computer) series, featuring 128 processor cores and achieving peak performance of 5.12 gigaflops in the mid-1990s. It was recognized in the Top500 list of supercomputers with the system ID 687.

## Key Facts
- **Manufacturer**: Intel, a U.S.-based semiconductor company founded in 1968.
- **Top500 System ID**: 687.
- **Processor Cores**: 128.
- **Performance (Rmax)**: 2.6 gigaflops (measured in 1993–1995).
- **Performance (Rpeak)**: 5.12 gigaflops (measured in 1993–1995).
- **Active Period**: Benchmarked between November 1993 and December 1995.

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

### Q: What were the key performance metrics of the iPSC/860?
A: The system achieved a maximum performance (Rmax) of 2.6 gigaflops and a peak performance (Rpeak) of 5.12 gigaflops, measured across 1993–1995.

### Q: How many processor cores did the iPSC/860 have?
A: It utilized 128 processor cores, a notable configuration for supercomputers of its era.

## Why It Matters
The iPSC/860 represents a significant milestone in the evolution of parallel supercomputing during the 1990s. As part of Intel’s efforts to advance high-performance computing, it contributed to scientific research and industrial applications requiring intensive computational power. Its inclusion in the Top500 list underscores its standing among the world’s fastest supercomputers at the time. The system’s architecture, emphasizing distributed processing with 128 cores, exemplified the shift toward massively parallel computing, a critical trend that shaped modern supercomputer design. By achieving consistent benchmark performance over multiple years, the iPSC/860 demonstrated the reliability and scalability of Intel’s technology in an era marked by rapid advancements in computational capabilities.

## Notable For
- **Parallel Architecture**: Utilized 128 processor cores to enable distributed processing, a key innovation in 1990s supercomputing.
- **Consistent Benchmark Performance**: Maintained Rmax/Rpeak metrics across multiple benchmarking cycles (1993–1995), showcasing stability.
- **Top500 Recognition**: Earned a dedicated system ID (687) in the prestigious Top500 supercomputer rankings.
- **Intel’s Supercomputing Legacy**: Embodied Intel’s early contributions to high-performance computing hardware.

## Body
### Development and Launch
The iPSC/860 was developed by Intel as part of its iPSC series, designed to deliver high-performance computing through parallel processing. While the exact launch date is unspecified in the source material, its benchmarking history indicates active use between 1993 and 1995.

### Performance Specifications
- **Rmax (Maximum Performance)**: 2.6 gigaflops, recorded in June and November 1994, June and December 1995.
- **Rpeak (Peak Performance)**: 5.12 gigaflops, consistent across all recorded benchmarks (1993–1995).
- **Benchmarking Period**: Evaluated in November 1993, June/November 1994, and June/December 1995.

### Hardware Architecture
- **Processor Cores**: 128 cores, reflecting a design focused on distributed computing tasks.
- **Manufacturer**: Intel, leveraging its expertise in semiconductor technology to optimize performance.

### Historical Context
The iPSC/860 operated during a period of intense competition in supercomputing, marked by rapid advancements in processing power and architectural design. Its inclusion in the Top500 list—a benchmark for supercomputing excellence—highlighted its relevance in academic, scientific, and industrial contexts. The system’s performance metrics, though modest by modern standards, were notable for the mid-1990s and underscored the growing importance of parallel processing in tackling complex computational challenges.