Communications of the ACM
w, Nvidia Join to Create Faster Supercomputers
The National Center for Atmospheric Research-Wyoming Supercomputing Center at the University of Wyoming is working with Nvidia to develop a new supercomputer.
Credit: U.S. National Science Foundation
The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)-Wyoming Supercomputing Center at the University of Wyoming (UW) and Nvidia are collaborating on a new supercomputer that could head the Top500 list of the world's fastest computers.
The center wants to replace its three-year-old Yellowstone supercomputer, which currently ranks as the 50th fastest supercomputer in the world. The Yellowstone computer currently uses central processing unit chips with eight cores each, and the new system could make use of NVIDIA graphics processing units (GPU) chips, which hold 1,000 cores each.
"Nvidia is using the same underlying silicon chip, but they've made the processors much, much simpler than the ones on Yellowstone," says NCAR director of technological development Rich Loft.
However, such a large number of cores will create more work and challenges for computer engineers and developers. The partnership provides UW with access to Nvidia's latest equipment before the public can purchase them, notes UW professor Suresh Muknahallipatna.
Loft says the alliance also creates a place for students in the field to work with cutting-edge technology. "They are working on what will be the future, and I always like to see students injected into the industry," he says.
From Casper Star-Tribune (WY)
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