Virginia Tech Supercomputer - We're Still #3!

[MacRumors]

The latest numbers (PDF, page 53) for the Virginia Tech PowerMac G5 Cluster, brings it up to 10.2 TFlops.

Last week's numbers were at 9.5 TFlops, moving the cluster up to 3rd place. The current #2 ranked computer sites at 13.8 TFlops.

 

[Nutzoids]

It would be nice to know if Microsoft has any computers on this list? Also what OS are they using 10.2 or 10.3?

 

[Ambrose Chapel]

Originally posted by Nutzoids
Also what OS are they using 10.2 or 10.3?

The machines are currently running stock Mac OS X 10.2.7. An audience member asked if they use Software Update. Varadarajan said no but that there are plans to Pantherize the system in the next few weeks. This will require an install and a recompile of some of the code.

http://www.macdevcenter.com/pub/a/mac/2003/10/29/osxcon_g5cluster.html

 

[Floop]

Varadarajan said ... that there are plans to Pantherize the system in the next few weeks.

Please tell me that they are not using any external Firewire Hard Discs using the Oxford 922 Bridge...

 

[MOM]

It looks like they would have to reach just under 80% efficiency to get the #2 spot. Anyone know if that is feasible? Either way, #3 in the world for just over $5 million means Apple is going to be selling a few more of these in the future.

 

[From Win to Mac]

no way...

Panther is waaaaay too buggy for them to upgrade. Probably Apple told them so, lol

 

[tny]

Re: no way...

Originally posted by From Win to Mac
Panther is waaaaay too buggy for them to upgrade. Probably Apple told them so, lol

And I assume you've been using it regularly? I have noticed very few bugs so far (and I use it regularly, with - among other things - a LaCie 80 GB FireWire hard drive). Main problem I'm having is that every once in a while the screen saver tries to come on; must be a key binding I'm not aware of.

 

[Mr. Anderson]

Regardless of whether they go with Panther or not - they've solidly gained the #3 slot. That's damn good!

Now, if I could just get my own little G5 cluster......

D

 

[nagromme]

I take it that none of this matters for the Top 500 list? The earlier/slowest numbers were already submitted for that?

Real-world rank is more important anyway, but I wondered about the list. Some people talk as though the latest results will affect that list, even though I thought the deadline for submissions was long past.

 

[DeusOmnis]

More and more testing, I dont think they'll get to number 2 though.

 

[Chobit]

Originally posted by nagromme
I take it that none of this matters for the Top 500 list? The earlier/slowest numbers were already submitted for that?

Real-world rank is more important anyway, but I wondered about the list. Some people talk as though the latest results will affect that list, even though I thought the deadline for submissions was long past.

I've heard that they can update the score until November 18. Does anyone know if this is correct or not?

 

[stoid]

Yes, I was under the impression that November 17th was the final date for last minute speed tallies.

 

[Ambrose Chapel]

Originally posted by Chobit
I've heard that they can update the score until November 18. Does anyone know if this is correct or not?

i'm pretty sure they still have time to try and increase their score..can't remember the date, but that sound about right.

 

[PeteY48]

Originally posted by nagromme
I take it that none of this matters for the Top 500 list? The earlier/slowest numbers were already submitted for that?

Real-world rank is more important anyway, but I wondered about the list. Some people talk as though the latest results will affect that list, even though I thought the deadline for submissions was long past.

The system had to be operating and registered on Oct 1, but the school gets to optimize the system and report updated speeds all the way up to the conference which is around Nov. 20th.

 

[johnnowak]

Re: Re: no way...

Originally posted by tny
And I assume you've been using it regularly? I have noticed very few bugs so far (and I use it regularly, with - among other things - a LaCie 80 GB FireWire hard drive).

Ditto.

 

[danbirchall]

They found the other 44 machines!

The scores up through the 9.555 teraflop one were done with only 2,112 CPU's. The newest one has the full 2,200 CPU's online.<p>

No, that doesn't account for all of the increase - adding those 44 machines would've gotten them up to around 9.9something teraflops, not 10.28.<p>

IF they're using the standard math libraries in 10.2.7...<p>

AND IF they're doing stuff that makes heavy use of AltiVec and vecLib...<p>

...THEN upgrading to Panther would send the scores through the roof. On my G5, XBench reports 2.6 gigaflops for "AltiVec Basic" and 2.18 gigaflops for "vecLib FFT" under 10.2.8, and 3.99 gigaflops/3.44 gigaflops respectively under 10.3. That's gains of 53% and 57% on those parts of the benchmark.<p>

 

[Mr. Anderson]

Re: They found the other 44 machines!

Originally posted by danbirchall
...THEN upgrading to Panther would send the scores through the roof. On my G5, XBench reports 2.6 gigaflops for "AltiVec Basic" and 2.18 gigaflops for "vecLib FFT" under 10.2.8, and 3.99 gigaflops/3.44 gigaflops respectively under 10.3. That's gains of 53% and 57% on those parts of the benchmark.<p>

Given a 50% gain we'd be talking 15 TF - that would put us in #2. Although getting 1100 machines upgraded would be quite painful in such a short amount of time.

D

 

[Ambrose Chapel]

Originally posted by Mr. A
Although getting 1100 machines upgraded would be quite painful in such a short amount of time.

well...there's a lot of us here on MR...how badly do we want VA Tech to be number 2?

 

[MOM]

Re: Re: They found the other 44 machines!

Originally posted by Mr. Anderson
Given a 50% gain we'd be talking 15 TF - that would put us in #2. Although getting 1100 machines upgraded would be quite painful in such a short amount of time.

D

15 TF would be pushing very close to 100% efficiency. I don't think things scale like that. There is overhead and latency with bringing so many computers together.

My bet is they have an efficient method of upgrading the computers to panther.

 

[P-Worm]

That and they have a lot of computing power to install the operating system. 10 Teraflops in fact.

P-Worm

 

[Viv]

Originally posted by Ambrose Chapel
well...there's a lot of us here on MR...how badly do we want VA Tech to be number 2?

How many Mac engineers do they need?

Put me down for one.

By the by, the managers of the machines below the VA tec cluster must be fielding some interesting questions from thier bosses!

For instance "they are at number two for 5 million bucks!" "so were are we for $XXXXX

Viv

 

[Frohickey]

Upgrading 1100 G5s to Panther?

Thats a lot of trouble just to be able to surf for porn quicker.

 

[sharky2313]

folding?

when will this cluster begin folding for Mac Rumors? We could use a little push

 

[Sol]

10 Teraflops achieved, now get on with it

Even without FireWire drives or FileVault encription, Panther would be a high risk. It is simply a 1.0 release and thus too unpredictable for such a mission critical task as this.

If I was a part of this project my attitude would be that over 10 terraflops is a great result for a cluster that cost under 10 million dollars. Virginia Tech should start running their science programs on Big Mac and work on optimisations between now and the time to upgrade the hardware.

 

[mvc]

Originally posted by Frohickey
Upgrading 1100 G5s to Panther?

Thats a lot of trouble just to be able to surf for porn quicker.

They don't have to surf, with this amount of grunt they can render it in real time!

Sure beats beach volleyball