Computing Power Insanity: China's Tianhe-2 (Milky Way-2) Supercomputer

[CadetStimpy]

Ya probably wouldn't see much lag in any of your games with this computer! China has had the fastest Supercomputer in the world since June of 2013. This might be why: CPU Cores: 3,120,000 (I've got 8, here at home ) Memory: 1,024,000 GB! (Hmmm..., the Milky Way-2 edges me out again ) At peak, with cooling, the system consumes 24MW! The Consumer Energy Center says one megawatt is enough to power 1,000 homes (other sources say only a few hundred). Their electric bill must be staggering. When I worked at a large computer manufacturing facility (Digital Equipment Corporation) back in the day, they 'posted' their electric bill for the employees to see, to illustrate the value of turning off equipment when you went home, etc.). They paid about $350,000/month for that one facility. Our fastest Supercomputer is the Titan, built by Cray and ran by the DoE (Department of Energy). Interestingly, I woulda thought the DoD would have the fastest one. However, I do recall reading about a Supercomputer the U.S. had at an 'undisclosed U.S. government site'. Sounds a bit military.

[Jason Carr]

Ha, China? But really, what on earth do governments need that kind of power for? Oh wait, I forgot, they're spying on all of us.

[CadetStimpy]

They spy on us? I thought they just hacked into our highly secure, giant systems and took what they wanted. Doh! I think scientists use them more, but, of course, scientists do design very large bombs, death-rays, and other fun stuff that's useful for conquering other countries, on behalf of their respective, peaceful governments.

[Jason Carr]

Hehehehehehe.