Microsoft and Cray deliver "mainstream" CX1 supercomputer: starts at $25k

C'mon, who here doesn't want their very own supercomputer to do, um, whatever they want with? In an effort to make sure every man, woman and child has an absurdly powerful number cruncher in their home (let's go with OSPP, or One Supercomputer Per Person), Microsoft has tag-teamed with the fabled Cray in order to "drive high productivity computing into the mainstream." The Cray CX1 Supercomputer comes loaded with Windows HPC Server 2008 and incorporates up to 8 nodes and 16 Intel Xeon CPUs (dual- or quad-core); additionally, it boasts up to 4TB of internal storage, 64GB of memory per node and interoperates nicely with Linux. The CX1 is said to be the most affordable supercomputer offered by Cray (not to mention the "world's highest-performing computer that uses standard office power"), but it'll still run you anywhere between $25,000 to well over $60,000. Chump change, right?

[Via NetworkWorld]

[doctorjz Posted Sep 16th 2008 5:24PM]

So why is Microsoft helping to build a supercomputer running linux?? Retards....

[lareeth Posted Sep 16th 2008 5:24PM]

Sorry to disappoint everyone but the NVIDIA QuadroFX 4600 cant play Crysis any higher than 10fps, that's even with every setting on Low.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 16th 2008 5:29PM]

This machine has feelings.

[fastharryDOTcom Posted Sep 16th 2008 5:46PM]

Hmm.....No Sony Fanboi's commenting on the PS3's power compared to this......

[kingman Posted Sep 16th 2008 5:48PM]

With all that power, engadgets comment system will still be broken

[Someoneishere Posted Sep 16th 2008 5:55PM]

Sorry. Couldn't post earlier. It would never go through.
Commenting system still sucks!
Let's start raising money for engadget. Or for another commenting system! And a CRAY computer!

[Chow7 Posted Sep 16th 2008 5:54PM]

Nor-Tech's portable cluster is the highest-performing computer that uses standard office power. Check out: http://portableclusters.com

[ElNumbre Posted Sep 16th 2008 6:00PM]

What I want to know is how quickly it can transcode a DVD into Xvid! :)

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 16th 2008 9:21PM]

super computer in the home? nah i dont see that happening -why cant Microsoft just work on the future which is heading towards cloud computing. i guess this would be useful for universities and such like that.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 16th 2008 6:07PM]

But will it run Crysis?

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 16th 2008 6:19PM]

That comment is soo hours ago.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 16th 2008 6:18PM]

Someone let me know how many c/s JTR gets on it and then i'll consider it.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 16th 2008 6:44PM]

One Cray (per) Person

OCP runs the cops.........


Stay out of...Trouble!

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 16th 2008 7:23PM]

Finally! Something capable of running Vista reasonably.
I wonder how fast it can crash.. 0 to Blue in 1 sec.

[macserv Posted Sep 16th 2008 8:15PM]

"Something capable of running Vista reasonably"

It's a supercomputer, not a miracle machine.




OK, sorry, it was such a cheap hit, but it was WIIIIDE open. I'd totally love to see what that thing could do with an optimized Linux build.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 16th 2008 7:24PM]

I'd rather build Microwulf.

[keithwwalker Posted Sep 16th 2008 7:57PM]

Me and Osama will each buy one....

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 16th 2008 10:20PM]

craynet?

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 16th 2008 10:47PM]

Finally, something that'll run vista ultimate

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 16th 2008 11:00PM]

I visit its page on Cray .
Is it up to 2 CPUs (2 x Xeon Quad-Core )? i.e. 4 Xeons.
I sounds like a MacPro stuff more than a SUPERcomputer with 4Xeons.
Anyway, the price is very high if you compare with a MacPro for the 2xXeon Dual-Core ones

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 16th 2008 11:19PM]

Yes, but can it... Take over the world? *Cue overly zealous maniac laughter*

[JJjjjjjjjjjj Posted Sep 16th 2008 11:30PM]

I'll betcha Batman has two of these.

[stetson Posted Sep 17th 2008 2:26AM]

not in this economy, he doesn't

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 17th 2008 12:09AM]

I dig the cordless setup and optimized mid-room floor install.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 17th 2008 1:17AM]

Just wait a while. In less than a year it'll be on sale for $999.95 after a $100 rebate.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 17th 2008 2:00AM]

I'd say it needs more cowbell.

[The WC Posted Sep 17th 2008 1:51AM]

Screw Microsoft, and screw Apple. I'll buy one just to say I have one, even if it's just a glorified paperweight!

...but that probably won't be very eco-friendly...

[jashsayani Posted Sep 17th 2008 3:38AM]

Cool !!! How about a hands-on with that.. ?!?!?

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 17th 2008 3:47AM]

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/4245/crayqi7.jpg

[chrisp Posted Sep 17th 2008 5:33AM]

Fuck the matrix, this thing wont even be able to run crysis on medium! dont you n00bs pay attention when people tell you that cpu's are no good at rendering graphics? maybe if crysis supported a software render mode, but other wise it would have to emulate the Direct 3D hardware, and run slow as a vintage shithouse. quake 4 raytraced would be interesting though lol

[Datacide Posted Sep 17th 2008 10:47AM]

Actually yes, chump change to me, kinda. Ok, not really, but I could buy one. BUT I have a feeling this OS and configuration isn't compatible with many applications. Am I correct? Or will this be able to do things like GTA4, etc? Like, if I drop $25000 on this system, would I be be able to run the programs I run on my $700 system?

[Jon AU Posted Sep 17th 2008 11:20AM]

In the year 2025, the price should be $250. by then OLPC is this machine...

[the steven Posted Sep 17th 2008 2:14PM]

Does it come with CRAY Blood, or is that extra?

[Californian Posted Sep 17th 2008 4:03PM]

Actually, the configuration I just bought ran me $74,317. Just kidding! But you can configure one for that much. You have to press the plus next to the 3 thing on the left side of the page. So, it's not up to $60,000, but rather, $74,317.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 17th 2008 7:16PM]

Will it blend?