SGI Altix Server Sets New World Records in SPEComp L2001 Tests

Strategic Insights -

SGI's Altix server has achieved stunning new world records in SPEComp L2001 tests for 64-processor and 128-processor systems, outperforming competitors including proprietary UNIX systems. Geared to evaluate systems used in demanding science and engineering environments, SPEComp L2001 measures the performance of shared-memory multiprocessor systems using applications based on OpenMP API. A 128-processor SGI Altix system running standard Linux operating system achieved a record SPEComp Lbase2001 result of 536,169, the fastest such result reported by SPEC.

Key Takeaways:

  • SGI Altix 128-processor system achieved a record SPEComp Lbase2001 result of 536,169 using the latest Intel compilers, outperforming all other competing systems.
  • The Altix system's SGI NUMAflex global shared-memory architecture enabled it to deliver leading performance, exceptional price/performance, and production-ready reliability in a scalable 64-bit Linux environment.
  • Even at 64 processors, SGI Altix outperformed a 128-processor Fujitsu PRIMEPOWER HPC2500 and blew by all other competing systems, including a 64-processor HP Integrity SuperDome and a 72-processor Sun Microsystems Sun Fire 15K.
  • The Altix system has consistently set numerous records for sheer performance and for its ability to efficiently run manufacturing, engineering, and scientific applications across hundreds of processors in a Linux operating environment.
  • SGI Altix 3000 is the first Linux OS-based system to commercially scale to up to 256 Intel Itanium 2 processors in a single node using the SGI NUMAflex global shared-memory architecture.
  • Altix 3000 offers unparalleled options for scaling up and scaling out to meet the needs of HPC users, with each node in a system able to contain 4 to 256 processors, 4 gigabytes to 8 terabytes of global shared memory, and 48 PCI-X buses.

Statistics:

  • 128-processor SGI Altix system achieved a record SPEComp Lbase2001 result of 536,169 using the latest Intel compilers.
  • 64-processor SGI Altix system achieved a score of 344099, outperforming a 128-processor Fujitsu PRIMEPOWER HPC2500 (262140) and a 64-processor HP Integrity SuperDome (289967) and a 72-processor Sun Microsystems Sun Fire 15K (240622).
  • SGI Altix 3000 supports up to 256 Intel Itanium 2 processors in a single node.
  • Each node in a system can contain 4 to 256 processors, 4 gigabytes to 8 terabytes of global shared memory, and 48 PCI-X buses.
  • SGI Altix 350 systems are available today in server configurations of 4 to 16 processors per node, and extended into cluster configurations using industry standard interconnects.

Sources:

  • http://www.spec.org/
  • http://www.sgi.com/servers/altix
  • SGI PR HOTLINE, +1-650-933-7777
  • SGI PR FACSIMILE, +1-650-933-0283
  • http://www.sgi.com/