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Old Macs Power 1976 Supercomputer Replica
10 Oct
Summary
- Thirty 2012-era Mac Minis power a 1:1 replica of the 1976 Cray-1.
- The replica boasts 1.3 teraflops of performance using networked Mac Minis.
- The supercomputer replica uses passive cooling for near-silent operation.
The Museo de Historia de la Computación in Spain has unveiled a remarkable 1:1 scale replica of the 1976 Cray-1 supercomputer. This ambitious project ingeniously utilizes 30 Mac Minis from 2012, networked together to achieve 1.3 teraflops of performance. Developed over 18 months, it commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Cray-1 and Apple's origins.
The replica demonstrates significant advancements in computer architecture since 1976, contrasting the original's vector processing with the replica's parallel cluster approach. Notably, the system operates with exceptional quietness, employing passive convection cooling through a steel rack chassis instead of loud mechanical fans.
This innovative supercomputer is on permanent display, allowing visitors to witness matrix algorithms in real-time. The museum aims to expand the replica's capabilities further through crowdfunding, aspiring to rank on the TOP500 supercomputers list.
