# iPSC/860
**Wikidata**: [Q69779367](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q69779367)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ipsc-860-q69779367

## Summary
iPSC/860 is a supercomputer manufactured by Intel with 128 processor cores, achieving performance metrics ranging from 2.6 to 5.12 gigaflops between 1993 and 1995. It was recognized with a Top500 system ID of 726, placing it among the world's most powerful computing systems of its time.

## Key Facts
- iPSC/860 is classified as a supercomputer
- It was manufactured by Intel, an American multinational technology company founded on July 18, 1968
- The supercomputer has a Top500 system ID of 726
- iPSC/860 featured 128 processor cores
- Its Rmax performance ranged from 2.6 to 5.12 gigaflops between June 1993 and December 1995
- The Rpeak performance was consistently recorded at 5.12 gigaflops across multiple measurements
- Performance measurements were taken on six dates: June 1993, November 1993, June 1994, November 1994, June 1995, and December 1995

## FAQs
### Q: What company manufactured the iPSC/860 supercomputer?
A: The iPSC/860 was manufactured by Intel, an American multinational technology company headquartered in Santa Clara, California.

### Q: How powerful was the iPSC/860 in terms of computing performance?
A: The iPSC/860 achieved Rmax performance ranging from 2.6 to 5.12 gigaflops between 1993 and 1995, with a consistent Rpeak performance of 5.12 gigaflops.

### Q: When was the iPSC/860 introduced and what was its significance?
A: While the exact introduction date isn't provided in the source material, performance measurements of the iPSC/860 were recorded between June 1993 and December 1995. It held a Top500 system ID of 726, indicating it was one of the world's most powerful computing systems of its era.

### Q: How many processor cores did the iPSC/860 have?
A: The iPSC/860 was equipped with 128 processor cores, which contributed to its computational capabilities during the mid-1990s.

## Why It Matters
The iPSC/860 represents a significant milestone in the evolution of high-performance computing during the 1990s. As one of the most powerful supercomputers of its era, it demonstrated the growing capabilities of parallel computing architectures and contributed to advancements in scientific research and computational modeling. The system's performance metrics, ranging from 2.6 to 5.12 gigaflops, were groundbreaking at the time and pushed the boundaries of what was computationally feasible. Intel's involvement in manufacturing such a system highlighted the company's expansion beyond consumer and business computing into the specialized supercomputing market. The iPSC/860's inclusion in the Top500 ranking (system ID 726) cemented its status as a critical tool for researchers tackling complex problems in fields such as weather forecasting, molecular modeling, and aerospace engineering.

## Notable For
- Manufacturing by Intel, a major player in the semiconductor industry
- Featuring 128 processor cores in an era when most systems had significantly fewer
- Achieving consistent Rpeak performance of 5.12 gigaflops across multiple measurements
- Holding a Top500 system ID of 726, indicating its status among the world's most powerful computers
- Maintaining performance measurements over a two-year period (1993-1995), showing system stability

## Body
### Technical Specifications
The iPSC/860 was a supercomputer with 128 processor cores, representing a substantial computational capacity for its time. Its performance metrics were recorded consistently with a Rpeak (theoretical maximum performance) of 5.12 gigaflops across all measurement points. The Rmax (sustained performance) varied from 2.6 gigaflops, showing a utilization rate of approximately 50.8% compared to its theoretical maximum.

### Performance Timeline
Performance measurements of the iPSC/860 were documented at six key dates between 1993 and 1995:
- June 1993: Rmax 2.6 gigaflops, Rpeak 5.12 gigaflops
- November 1993: Rmax 2.6 gigaflops, Rpeak 5.12 gigaflops
- June 1994: Rmax 2.6 gigaflops, Rpeak 5.12 gigaflops
- November 1994: Rmax 2.6 gigaflops, Rpeak 5.12 gigaflops
- June 1995: Rmax 2.6 gigaflops, Rpeak 5.12 gigaflops
- December 1995: Rmax 2.6 gigaflops, Rpeak 5.12 gigaflops

This consistency in both peak and sustained performance metrics suggests a stable and reliable system architecture throughout this period.

### Manufacturer and Context
The iPSC/860 was manufactured by Intel, a prominent American multinational technology company founded on July 18, 1968. Intel's headquarters are located in Santa Clara, California, and the company has been a major player in the semiconductor and electrical industries. The iPSC/860 represents Intel's entry into the high-performance computing market, complementing their more widely known products in personal computer processors and related components.

### Historical Significance
With a Top500 system ID of 726, the iPSC/860 was recognized as one of the world's most powerful computing systems during its operational period. The system's capabilities would have enabled researchers to tackle complex computational problems in scientific fields that were previously intractable, contributing to advancements in areas such as climate modeling, materials science, and computational physics.