# iPSC/860
**Wikidata**: [Q72892137](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q72892137)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ipsc-860-q72892137

## Summary
iPSC/860 is a supercomputer manufactured by Intel with 64 processor cores that achieved a peak performance of 2.56 gigaflops in the early 1990s. This represented Intel's entry into the high-performance computing market during a period of rapid technological advancement in parallel processing systems.

## Key Facts
- iPSC/860 is classified as a supercomputer
- It was manufactured by Intel Corporation, an American multinational technology company founded in 1968
- The Top500 system ID for iPSC/860 is 167321
- It contains 64 processor cores
- Its Rmax sustained performance was measured at 1.4 gigaflops at various points between June 1993 and November 1994
- Its Rpeak theoretical peak performance reached 2.56 gigaflops at various points between June 1993 and November 1994
- Intel, the manufacturer, was headquartered in Santa Clara, California at the time of production

## FAQs
### Q: What type of computer is iPSC/860?
A: iPSC/860 is a supercomputer designed for high-performance computing tasks. It was manufactured by Intel in the early 1990s as part of their line of parallel computing systems.

### Q: How powerful was iPSC/860 compared to other computers of its time?
A: With a peak performance of 2.56 gigaflops and sustained performance of 1.4 gigaflops, iPSC/860 was competitive in the supercomputing market during 1993-1994. These metrics were significant for the era, placing it among the fastest computers available at that time.

### Q: When was iPSC/860 introduced and by whom?
A: iPSC/860 was manufactured by Intel, which had been founded in 1968. It became part of the computing landscape between 1993 and 1994, representing Intel's expansion into the high-performance computing market.

## Why It Matters
iPSC/860 represents an important milestone in the evolution of high-performance computing, particularly as Intel transitioned from primarily producing processors to developing complete supercomputing systems. During the early to mid-1990s, this period marked a significant shift in computing architecture, with parallel processing becoming increasingly important for solving complex scientific and engineering problems. The iPSC/860's performance of 2.56 gigaflops, while modest by today's standards, was substantial for its time and contributed to advancements in computational research. It demonstrates the early commercialization of massively parallel processing and how traditional technology companies like Intel were entering the supercomputing market, ultimately influencing the development of more powerful computing systems.

## Notable For
- Being an early commercial parallel supercomputer manufactured by Intel, expanding beyond their traditional processor business
- Achieving peak performance of 2.56 gigaflops in 1993-1994, which was competitive for supercomputers of that era
- Incorporating 64 processor cores in a parallel architecture, representing an early approach to massively parallel computing
- Having its performance metrics recorded in the TOP500 list, indicating its relevance in the supercomputing benchmarking system
- Representing Intel's entry into the high-performance computing market during a period of significant technological advancement in supercomputing

## Body

### Overview
iPSC/860 is a supercomputer manufactured by Intel in the early 1990s. It represents Intel's expansion into the high-performance computing market during a period of significant technological advancement in parallel processing architectures.

### Technical Specifications
- Instance: Supercomputer
- Manufacturer: Intel
- Number of processor cores: 64
- Top500 system ID: 167321

### Performance Metrics
The iPSC/860 had its performance measured at multiple points:
- Rmax (sustained performance): 1.4 gigaflops (measured June 1993, November 1993, June 1994, and November 1994)
- Rpeak (theoretical peak performance): 2.56 gigaflops (measured June 1993, November 1993, June 1994, and November 1994)

### Manufacturer Information
- iPSC/860 was manufactured by Intel Corporation
- Intel was founded on July 18, 1968
- Intel was headquartered in Santa Clara, California at the time of production
- Intel operated primarily in the semiconductor and electrical industries

### Historical Context
The iPSC/860 emerged during a transformative period in computing when parallel processing architectures were gaining prominence in scientific and technical applications. Its development reflected the industry's shift toward massively parallel systems to solve increasingly complex computational problems.