# Lenovo x3950, Xeon E7-8860v3  16C 2.2GHz, 10G Ethernet
**Wikidata**: [Q73790270](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73790270)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lenovo-x3950-xeon-e7-8860v3-16c-2-2ghz-10g-ethernet

## Summary
The Lenovo x3950 is a Linux-based supercomputer manufactured by Lenovo that uses Intel Xeon E7-8860 v3 16-core 2.2 GHz processors and 10 Gigabit Ethernet networking. Listed on the TOP500 supercomputer list with system ID 178803, it achieved 386 teraflops Rmax performance and 567.7 teraflops Rpeak performance as of November 2016.

## Key Facts
- **System Type**: Supercomputer (instance_of: supercomputer)
- **Manufacturer**: Lenovo (Chinese technology company founded in 1984)
- **Operating System**: Linux (Unix-like OS first released September 17, 1991)
- **TOP500 ID**: 178803
- **CPU**: Intel Xeon E7-8860 v3 with 16 cores at 2.2 GHz
- **Network**: 10 Gigabit Ethernet
- **Rmax Performance**: 386 teraflops (November 2016)
- **Rpeak Performance**: 567.7 teraflops (November 2016)
- **Performance Period**: Measured performance remained consistent between June 2016 and November 2016

## FAQs
### Q: What processors does the Lenovo x3950 supercomputer use?
A: The Lenovo x3950 uses Intel Xeon E7-8860 v3 processors with 16 cores running at 2.2 GHz.

### Q: What networking technology does the Lenovo x3950 employ?
A: The system uses 10 Gigabit Ethernet for its networking infrastructure.

### Q: What are the performance specifications of the Lenovo x3950?
A: The system achieved 386 teraflops Rmax and 567.7 teraflops Rpeak performance as measured in November 2016.

### Q: What operating system runs on the Lenovo x3950?
A: The system runs on Linux, a Unix-like operating system family.

## Why It Matters
The Lenovo x3950 represents a significant entry in the high-performance computing landscape, demonstrating Lenovo's capability to produce competitive supercomputer systems. With its 386 teraflops sustained performance (Rmax), this system showcases the practical application of Intel's Xeon E7-8860 v3 processors in large-scale computing environments. The use of 10 Gigabit Ethernet networking indicates a balance between performance and cost-effectiveness in interconnect technology. As a Linux-based system, it benefits from the open-source ecosystem that dominates the supercomputing world. The consistent performance measurements between June and November 2016 suggest stable, production-ready capabilities. This system exemplifies the trend of commercial vendors like Lenovo entering the supercomputing market, making high-performance computing more accessible to research institutions and enterprises that require substantial computational power for scientific research, data analysis, and complex simulations.

## Notable For
- **TOP500 Recognition**: Officially listed on the prestigious TOP500 supercomputer rankings with ID 178803
- **Performance Consistency**: Maintained identical Rmax and Rpeak scores across multiple measurement periods in 2016
- **Commercial Viability**: Represents Lenovo's entry into the high-performance computing market as a commercial manufacturer
- **Ethernet-based Networking**: Uses standard 10 Gigabit Ethernet rather than specialized interconnects, potentially reducing deployment complexity
- **Linux Platform**: Part of the dominant Linux ecosystem that powers the majority of the world's supercomputers

## Body

### System Architecture
The Lenovo x3950 is built around Intel's Xeon E7-8860 v3 processors, featuring 16 cores per chip running at a base frequency of 2.2 GHz. This processor choice represents Intel's high-end server platform designed for mission-critical applications and large-scale computing environments. The system's architecture leverages multiple processors working in parallel to achieve its computational goals.

### Performance Metrics
The system demonstrates significant computational capability with two key performance measurements. The Rmax value of 386 teraflops represents the maximum performance achieved in actual LINPACK benchmark testing, while the Rpeak value of 567.7 teraflops represents the theoretical peak performance. The difference between these values is typical for supercomputers, where theoretical maximums are rarely achieved in practice due to various system overheads and parallel processing inefficiencies.

### Networking Infrastructure
The use of 10 Gigabit Ethernet networking represents a practical choice for system interconnect. While specialized networking technologies like InfiniBand often provide lower latency and higher bandwidth, 10 Gigabit Ethernet offers a good balance of performance, cost, and compatibility with existing infrastructure. This choice suggests the system was designed for environments where integration with standard data center networking is important.

### Operating System Platform
Running on Linux places the Lenovo x3950 within the mainstream of supercomputing environments. Linux's open-source nature, flexibility, and extensive support for high-performance computing tools make it the de facto standard for supercomputers worldwide. The system's Linux foundation ensures compatibility with a vast ecosystem of scientific software and development tools.