Virginia Tech G5 supercomputer upgraded to 2.3GHz Xserves
Thanks to an exclusive offering from Apple Computer, Virginia Tech's G5-based "System X" supercomputer cluster in now more powerful than ever.
The cluster--comprised of 1100 G5-based dual processor cluster nodes--was recently upgraded to 2.3 GHz Apple Xserves, AppleInsider confirmed this week.
This latest boost represents the cluster's second transformation in less than a year. Due to a stringent need for error correcting code (ECC) RAM, in January--a mere three months after its inception--System X was overhauled from dual-processor Power Mac G5s to dual-2GHz Xserve G5s.
Officials at the university's Terascale Computing Facility said the new 2.3GHz Xserves began arriving in mid-June. Aside from sporting slightly faster G5 processors, the units are said to be identical to the company's existing 2GHz Xserves.
But browsing Apple's web site and online store yields no mention of Xserves running at speeds beyond 2GHz; that's because the servers are reportedly unique to System X and are not available for purchase by the general public.
COLSA Corp, which is home to the larger MACH5 Apple G5 supercomputer cluster, has yet to see upgrades from its current dual-2GHz Xserve G5s. However, program director, Mike Whitlock, told AppleInsider that COLSA and Apple have formed long term agreements for the further development of the cluster,
Although Whitlock offered few details on the arrangement, he said that COLSA is expecting its first update to the 1,566 node cluster in January, suggesting that Apple may officially refresh its Xserve G5 line early next year.
Apple introduced the XServe G5 in January 2004, claiming top speeds of 2GHz. But mistakenly placed graphics on the company's Canadian web site briefly advertised the servers at speeds of up to 2.3GHz.
If recent events are any indication, it's likely that Apple had originally intended to introduce the Xserve G5 at speeds of up to 2.3GHz, but were later forced to surrender the higher-end configuration due to a shortage of the speedier G5 chips from IBM.
Representatives from Apple declined to comment on the report.
The cluster--comprised of 1100 G5-based dual processor cluster nodes--was recently upgraded to 2.3 GHz Apple Xserves, AppleInsider confirmed this week.
This latest boost represents the cluster's second transformation in less than a year. Due to a stringent need for error correcting code (ECC) RAM, in January--a mere three months after its inception--System X was overhauled from dual-processor Power Mac G5s to dual-2GHz Xserve G5s.
Officials at the university's Terascale Computing Facility said the new 2.3GHz Xserves began arriving in mid-June. Aside from sporting slightly faster G5 processors, the units are said to be identical to the company's existing 2GHz Xserves.
But browsing Apple's web site and online store yields no mention of Xserves running at speeds beyond 2GHz; that's because the servers are reportedly unique to System X and are not available for purchase by the general public.
COLSA Corp, which is home to the larger MACH5 Apple G5 supercomputer cluster, has yet to see upgrades from its current dual-2GHz Xserve G5s. However, program director, Mike Whitlock, told AppleInsider that COLSA and Apple have formed long term agreements for the further development of the cluster,
Although Whitlock offered few details on the arrangement, he said that COLSA is expecting its first update to the 1,566 node cluster in January, suggesting that Apple may officially refresh its Xserve G5 line early next year.
Apple introduced the XServe G5 in January 2004, claiming top speeds of 2GHz. But mistakenly placed graphics on the company's Canadian web site briefly advertised the servers at speeds of up to 2.3GHz.
If recent events are any indication, it's likely that Apple had originally intended to introduce the Xserve G5 at speeds of up to 2.3GHz, but were later forced to surrender the higher-end configuration due to a shortage of the speedier G5 chips from IBM.
Representatives from Apple declined to comment on the report.
Comments
http://forums.appleinsider.com/showt...t=virginia+2.3
unless they pulled all of those cases AGAIN for new xserves, does this mean they just replaced the processor with an upgraded one? if so, does this mean it would be possible, at least in theory, for upgrades of other places too down the road? (edit: remember, that wasn't supposed to be possible according to apple way-back-when, due to the cooling zone management, which spawned a healthy thread here on whether the G5's would be upgradeable at all... ever).
Originally posted by iDu
I think the XServes VA Tech received were 2.3 GHz from the get go. I don't remember where or when I read it, but there was an article talking about how the XServer for System X had special 2.3 GHz PPC970fx processors that were/are not available to anyone else.
This is not true. I spoke to VT yesterday and they clearly stated that the 2.3GHz arrived in mid-june, about 6 months after they upgraded to Xserves at 2.0GHz in January. The system started with Power Macs in Sept of 03.
If we are not sure of certain details, we will always state so in the report.
Best,
Kasper
I think a lot of people owe him an apology. :-)
<http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columni...3-kantor_x.htm>
Originally posted by Kasper
This is not true. I spoke to VT yesterday and they clearly stated that the 2.3GHz arrived in mid-june, about 6 months after they upgraded to Xserves at 2.0GHz in January. The system started with Power Macs in Sept of 03.
If we are not sure of certain details, we will always state so in the report.
Best,
Kasper
Oh ok, I thought the first XServes they received were in June, I didn't realize they had received a shipment before that.
Wasn't it mentioned about a month ago that IBM was already in the process of qualifying the new low-k dialectric and some testing firm expected samples in about a month?
might explain the very special offer Virginia Tech received.
Originally posted by BRussell
It seems like they're always getting upgrades. When do they actually run the thing.
I was wondering the same thing
Colsa uses 1562 dual PPC 970 @ 2.0
MareNostrum(IBM-Spain) uses 2268 dual PPC [email protected] with1 MB cache
just under 10000 processors used for supercomputing, no wonder us mortals are back on the line for our top of the line G5's
Is the 1MB cache comig to us mortals as well?
makes me wonder?
You're a knob. Discuss...
Agreed. As for discussion
knob [nob] noun, verb, knobbed, knob·bing.
–noun
1.\ta projecting part, usually rounded, forming the handle of a door, drawer, or the like.
2.\ta rounded lump or protuberance on the surface or at the end of something, as a knot on a tree trunk.
3.\tArchitecture. an ornamental boss, as of carved work.
4.\ta rounded hill, mountain, or elevation on a ridge.
–verb (used with object)
5.\tto produce a knob on.
6.\tto furnish with a knob.
7.\t(in stone cutting) to knock off (excess stone) preparatory to dressing; knobble; skiffle.
8. A total idiot who has nothing better to do with his time and who needs a life...
I'm guessing you're referring to #8?
COLSA is #28 with 2.0Ghz XServes - 3072 processors and 16180 GFlops.
I wonder how well price/performace the new intel line up would do.