# iPSC/860
**Wikidata**: [Q72841498](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q72841498)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ipsc-860-q72841498

## Summary
iPSC/860 is a supercomputer manufactured by Intel featuring 128 processor cores, with peak performance reaching 5.12 gigaflops in measurements recorded between 1993 and 1995. It was recognized in the Top500 supercomputer rankings with system ID 167299, representing Intel's expansion into high-performance computing during the early 1990s.

## Key Facts
- iPSC/860 is a supercomputer with 128 processor cores
- Manufactured by Intel
- Top500 system ID: 167299
- Peak performance (Rpeak) of 5.12 gigaflops
- Maximum performance (Rmax) of 2.6 gigaflops
- Performance measurements recorded between June and November of 1993, 1994, and 1995
- Represented Intel's entry into the high-performance computing market

## FAQs
### Q: What is iPSC/860?
A: iPSC/860 is a supercomputer manufactured by Intel with 128 processor cores, achieving performance benchmarks of up to 5.12 gigaflops in Rpeak measurements between 1993-1995.

### Q: When was iPSC/860 active and what performance did it achieve?
A: Performance measurements for iPSC/860 were recorded between 1993 and 1995, with consistent results showing a peak performance of 5.12 gigaflops (Rpeak) and maximum performance of 2.6 gigaflops (Rmax).

### Q: How does iPSC/860 compare to other supercomputers of its era?
A: iPSC/860 was recognized in the Top500 supercomputer rankings with system ID 167295, placing it among the most powerful computing systems of its time with its 128 processor cores and 5.12 gigaflop performance.

### Q: Why was iPSC/860 significant for Intel?
A: iPSC/860 represented Intel's expansion into the high-performance computing market beyond traditional processor manufacturing, demonstrating the company's capability to design and manufacture complete computing systems for scientific and technical applications.

## Why It Matters
iPSC/860 stands as an important milestone in Intel's diversification into high-performance computing during the early 1990s. As one of Intel's early supercomputer offerings, it demonstrated the company's ability to design and manufacture systems capable of tackling computationally intensive scientific and technical problems. With its 128 processor cores and performance reaching 5.12 gigaflops, iPSC/860 provided researchers and institutions with substantial computing resources for tasks such as modeling, simulation, and data analysis that were previously impractical. Its inclusion in the Top500 supercomputer rankings underscores its significance in the computing ecosystem of its time, contributing to advancing computational methods across various scientific disciplines.

## Notable For
- Featured 128 processor cores, representing substantial parallel computing capability for its era
- Achieved peak performance of 5.12 gigaflops in Rpeak measurements across multiple measurement periods
- Recognized in the Top500 supercomputer rankings with system ID 167299
- Represented Intel's first major foray into manufacturing complete high-performance computing systems
- Maintained consistent performance benchmarks across measurements from 1993-1995

## Body
### Technical Specifications
iPSC/860 is a supercomputer system with the following core specifications:
- Processor cores: 128
- Manufacturer: Intel
- Top500 system ID: 167299

### Performance Metrics
The system demonstrated consistent performance across multiple measurement periods:
- Peak performance (Rpeak): 5.12 gigaflops
- Maximum performance (Rmax): 2.6 gigaflops

Performance was measured at the following dates:
- 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

### Historical Context
iPSC/860 represents Intel's entry into the high-performance computing market during the early 1990s. The system was part of Intel's efforts to expand beyond traditional processor manufacturing into complete computing solutions for scientific and technical applications.

Its inclusion in the Top500 supercomputer rankings indicates it was recognized as one of the most powerful computing systems of its time, contributing to the advancement of computational research across various scientific disciplines.