[Beowulf] Definition of HPC

[Geoffrey Jacobs]

On 04/15/2013 03:17 PM, Prentice Bisbal wrote:
> On 04/15/2013 03:17 PM, 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?
>>
>>
> Yes. While not as sexy as 1000 computers having all their cores pinned 
> at 100% for days at a time, I think a single computer with it's CPU ( or 
> any other subsystem) pinned at 100% for a few minutes or so still counts 
> as HPC. Not very good HPC, but HPC nonetheless. Think of the word 
> 'house'. Whether you live in a small house (your laptop) or a big, 
> luxurious mansion (a cluster), I think we can all agree both are still 
> houses.
>
> Prentice
I think there are many cases where an HPC system of limited performance
is used, because it is adequate, supportable, fits within energy
budgets, or matches other criteria. Such a system might in fact be very
good HPC if it requires clever engineering and optimization to work
around constraints.