IBM supercomputer sets world speed record

A Big Blue machine reclaims the title of fastest supercomputer, overtaking a Japanese computer that had caused shock waves.
The New York Times

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Just a lab result

That is just a lab result and it's only a notch above Earth Simulator's record.
First, by the time this cluster goes online, it may not be the fastest.
Second, while processor performance will improve, non-lab conditions may lower the score.
Third, Earth Simulator has been online for years - if they configure a replica with today's processors in the lab, it should run up to 30% faster than the IBM's lab result.
In any case, by the time IBM's lab cluster is deployed, they may not the fastest supercomputer.

That's why I find this news to be just another press-release.

[Fray9]

As the article said

As the article said this version is just a prototype. A working model. The final version will have 10x the processors and speed giving it a commanding lead in the supercomputing race.

Fastest computer

First off It is great that IBM came back, but my concern is are these items made in the USA. How can our Goverment use a computer made in Japan or overseas in a very important enviorment as of makeing weapons for war. When I worked for a machine tool builder that had been bought out by the Germans. We could not sell our machines to the Goverment because we where foriegn owned. But we can use their computers to do important things, where it takes a computer. How do we know that they where not bugged to send this info to diffrent Countries to spy on us. We should do what we preach when it comes to dealing with other Countries.Where is that American Made Spirit?? Thanks Doug Jarvis