[Beowulf] Definition of HPC

[Prentice Bisbal]

On 04/15/2013 03:36 PM, Adam DeConinck wrote:
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> On Mon, Apr 15, 2013 at 03:17:52PM -0400, Max R. Dechantsreiter wrote:
>> "High performance computing (HPC) is a form of computer usage where
>> utlilization one of the computer subsystems (processor, ram, disk,
>> network, etc), is at or near 100% capacity for extended periods of time."
>>
>> Could my laptop exhibit symptoms of HPC, as you defined them?
> Or my Raspberry Pi, which I'm pretty sure is running 100% CPU right
> now but not getting much done!
>
> My own (vague) definition of HPC would probably be based more on the
> intended design of the system, something like:
>
> "A high-performance computing system is designed to use one or more
> computers to achieve the maximum performance possible on a particular
> computational task."

I may have to add the "to achieve the maximum performance possible on a 
particular computational task" to my definition. I like it. It makes a 
distinction between an old slow laptop with bloatware and viruses on and 
one that, you know, is actually getting work done.

Prentice