# iPSC/860
**Wikidata**: [Q69795512](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q69795512)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ipsc-860-q69795512

## Summary
The iPSC/860 is a supercomputer developed by Intel, featuring 64 processor cores and achieving a peak performance of 2.56 gigaflops in 1994. It was recognized in the TOP500 list of the world's fastest supercomputers during its operational years in the early 1990s.

## Key Facts
- **Manufacturer**: Intel, a U.S.-based semiconductor company founded in 1968.
- **Processor Cores**: 64 cores.
- **TOP500 System ID**: 767.
- **Performance (1994)**: Rmax of 1.4 gigaflops and Rpeak of 2.56 gigaflops (measured November 1994).
- **Active Years**: Benchmarked from 1993 to 1994, with consistent performance metrics across quarterly evaluations.
- **Industry Context**: Part of Intel's early supercomputing efforts in the semiconductor and electrical industries.

## FAQs
### Q: What company developed the iPSC/860?
A: The iPSC/860 was manufactured by Intel, a leading semiconductor company headquartered in Santa Clara, California.

### Q: How powerful was the iPSC/860?
A: The system achieved a peak performance (Rpeak) of 2.56 gigaflops and a sustained performance (Rmax) of 1.4 gigaflops during its 1994 benchmarks.

### Q: When was the iPSC/860 active?
A: It was benchmarked and listed in the TOP500 supercomputer rankings from 1993 to 1994.

## Why It Matters
The iPSC/860 represents Intel's early contributions to high-performance computing during the 1990s, a critical period for the development of supercomputers. As a 64-core system, it exemplified advancements in parallel processing architectures, which were essential for scientific research, engineering simulations, and data-intensive tasks of the time. Its inclusion in the TOP500 list underscored its standing among the world's fastest computing systems, reflecting Intel's role in pushing the boundaries of computational power. While its performance metrics may seem modest by modern standards, the iPSC/860 played a foundational role in the evolution of supercomputing technologies that underpin today's artificial intelligence, climate modeling, and genomic research.

## Notable For
- **Early Intel Supercomputer**: One of Intel's notable entries in the supercomputing field during the 1990s.
- **64-Core Architecture**: Utilized 64 processor cores, demonstrating early parallel processing capabilities.
- **TOP500 Recognition**: Achieved consistent rankings in the TOP500 list across multiple quarters in 1993–1994.
- **Performance Consistency**: Maintained stable Rmax and Rpeak metrics (1.4 GFLOPS and 2.56 GFLOPS) across evaluations.

## Body
### Overview
The iPSC/860 is a supercomputer designed and manufactured by Intel, a multinational semiconductor leader. It operated during the early 1990s, a transformative period for high-performance computing. The system was recognized for its multi-core architecture and contributed to Intel's reputation in the supercomputing sector.

### Technical Specifications
- **Processor Cores**: 64 cores.
- **Manufacturer**: Intel Corporation, founded in 1968 in Santa Clara, California.
- **Industry**: Semiconductor and electrical industries.

### Performance Benchmarks
- **Rmax (Sustained Performance)**: 1.4 gigaflops (measured June 1993, November 1993, June 1994, and November 1994).
- **Rpeak (Theoretical Peak Performance)**: 2.56 gigaflops (consistent across all 1993–1994 evaluations).
- **Benchmark Dates**: Quarterly assessments from 1993 to 1994, reflecting its active operational timeline.

### Historical Context
- **TOP500 Listing**: Identified by TOP500 system ID 767, indicating its ranking among the world's fastest supercomputers during its tenure.
- **Corporate Significance**: Part of Intel's product lineup during a period of rapid growth, with the company employing 107,300 people by 2014 and expanding to 110,800 employees by 2019.
- **Architectural Legacy**: The iPSC/860's design influenced later supercomputing innovations, particularly in parallel processing and core scalability.