# iPSC/860
**Wikidata**: [Q72870275](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q72870275)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ipsc-860-q72870275

## Summary
iPSC/860 is a supercomputer manufactured by Intel featuring 128 processor cores. It achieved performance ratings of 2.6 gigaflops (Rmax) and 5.12 gigaflops (Rpeak) between 1993 and 1995, representing Intel's early entry into high-performance computing systems.

## Key Facts
- iPSC/860 is classified as a supercomputer
- Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
- Top500 system ID: 167306
- Processor count: 128 cores
- Rmax (actual performance) was 2.6 gigaflops (measured 1993-11-01 to 1995-12-01)
- Rpeak (theoretical peak performance) was 5.12 gigaflops (measured 1993-11-01 to 1995-12-01)
- Intel, the manufacturer, was founded on July 18, 1968
- Intel's headquarters are located in Santa Clara, California, United States

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of iPSC/860?
A: iPSC/860 was a high-performance computing system designed for complex scientific and engineering calculations. It represented Intel's early entry into the supercomputer market, targeting institutions requiring substantial computational power for research purposes.

### Q: How did iPSC/860 compare to other supercomputers of its era?
A: With a peak performance of 5.12 gigaflops, iPSC/860 was competitive in the mid-1990s supercomputing landscape. Its performance placed it among the systems evaluated in the TOP500 list of supercomputers during that period.

### Q: When was iPSC/860 in active use?
A: Performance records indicate iPSC/860 was in active use from at least June 1993 through December 1995, with performance measurements recorded at six-month intervals during this period.

### Q: What technology powered iPSC/860?
A: iPSC/860 utilized 128 processor cores, featuring Intel's technology. This multi-core architecture was advanced for its time, enabling it to handle complex parallel computing tasks efficiently.

## Why It Matters
iPSC/860 holds significance as an early example of Intel's expansion beyond traditional CPU manufacturing into high-performance computing systems. It represents a transitional period in the evolution of supercomputing technology when manufacturers like Intel were competing with established players. The system's performance metrics spanning multiple years provide valuable data points for studying the development trajectory of supercomputers in the mid-1990s. Additionally, the existence of iPSC/860 demonstrates how semiconductor companies leveraged their expertise to develop specialized computing hardware, contributing to the diversification of the supercomputing market.

## Notable For
- One of Intel's early entries into the supercomputer market alongside its traditional CPU business
- Consistent performance measurement across multiple dates from 1993-1995, providing a documented performance evolution
- Configuration with 128 processor cores, representing substantial parallel processing capabilities for its era
- Inclusion in the TOP500 supercomputer ranking system with ID 167306
- Manufactured by Intel, a company founded in 1968 and headquartered in Santa Clara, California

## Body
### Technical Specifications
The iPSC/860 was a supercomputer manufactured by Intel with 128 processor cores. Its computing performance was documented through Rmax (actual performance) and Rpeak (theoretical peak) measurements. From November 1993 to December 1995, the system maintained an Rmax of 2.6 gigaflops and an Rpeak of 5.12 gigaflops across multiple measurement dates.

### Manufacturer Background
Intel Corporation, the manufacturer of iPSC/860, is an American multinational technology company founded on July 18, 1968. Intel's headquarters are located in Santa Clara, California, United States at 2200 Mission College Boulevard, Santa Clara CA 95052-8119. As of 2019, Intel employed 110,800 people and operates in the semiconductor and electrical industries.

### Performance Timeline
The performance metrics of iPSC/860 were recorded at regular intervals:
- November 1, 1993: Rmax 2.6 gigaflops, Rpeak 5.12 gigaflops
- June 1, 1994: Rmax 2.6 gigaflops, Rpeak 5.12 gigaflops
- November 1, 1994: Rmax 2.6 gigaflops, Rpeak 5.12 gigaflops
- June 1, 1995: Rmax 2.6 gigaflops, Rpeak 5.12 gigaflops
- December 1, 1995: Rmax 2.6 gigaflops, Rpeak 5.12 gigaflops

### Historical Context
iPSC/860 represents Intel's foray into the supercomputing market during the 1990s. As one of Intel's early high-performance computing systems, it demonstrates the company's diversification beyond traditional CPU products. The system's inclusion in the TOP500 list of supercomputers (ID 167306) places it among the elite computing systems of its time and provides context for understanding the evolution of high-performance computing technology.