The first supercomputer was installed at Los Alamos National Laborator...
The correct answer is option 'B', Cray-1.
Explanation:
The first supercomputer installed at Los Alamos National Laboratory of USA in 1976 was called Cray-1. Let's delve into the details of this historic supercomputer.
1. Cray-1:
The Cray-1 was a supercomputer designed by Seymour Cray and built by Cray Research Inc. It was one of the most powerful and fastest computers of its time.
2. Features and Specifications:
- Processing Power: The Cray-1 had a peak performance of about 160 megaFLOPS (floating-point operations per second), making it significantly faster than any other computer at the time.
- Vector Processing: It was designed to excel at performing scientific and mathematical calculations using vector processing. This means it could perform operations on entire arrays of data, leading to faster calculations.
- Memory: The Cray-1 had 8 megabytes of memory, which was an impressive capacity during that era.
- Architecture: It featured a unique C-shaped design, with the central processing unit (CPU) and memory modules placed around a central cooling system. This allowed for efficient cooling and reduced the size of the computer.
- Liquid Cooling: The Cray-1 utilized an innovative cooling system that circulated a liquid coolant through copper cooling plates to dissipate heat generated by the powerful processors.
3. Impact and Legacy:
- Pioneering Supercomputing: The Cray-1 revolutionized the field of supercomputing and set the standard for future generations of supercomputers.
- Scientific Applications: It was primarily used for complex scientific simulations, such as nuclear weapons research, weather forecasting, and materials science.
- Architectural Influence: The design principles and innovations introduced in the Cray-1 influenced the development of subsequent supercomputers.
- Successor Models: Cray Research Inc. went on to develop several more powerful and advanced models, building upon the success of the Cray-1.
In conclusion, the first supercomputer installed at Los Alamos National Laboratory of USA in 1976 was the Cray-1. With its exceptional processing power, vector processing capabilities, and innovative design, it laid the foundation for the future of supercomputing.
The first supercomputer was installed at Los Alamos National Laborator...
Cray Research created, produced, and sold the supercomputer known as the Cray-1. The first Cray-1 system, announced in 1975, was set up at Los Alamos National Laboratory in 1976. The vector processor concept was first successfully implemented in the Cray-1 supercomputer.