The news today is that an IBM supercomputer called
Roadrunner is now the fastest in the world.
It is capable of sustaining 1,000 trillion operations
per second, which is a lot.
The computer will be used to help maintain the US’
nuclear weapons stockpile. Energy Secretary Samuel
Bodman said the new computer will also be used to help
solve global energy problems and “open new windows of
knowledge” in basic research.
But is it really that fast? Click Continue Reading to
vote for your fastest Roadrunner…
Roadrunner No 1: IBM’s Roadrunner supercomputer.
Good for: number crunching. Bad for: avoiding Wil E Coyote.
CBR Roadrunner score: 8/10.
Pic source: IBM.
Roadrunner No 2: Warner Brothers’ Road Runner.
Good for: evading Wil E Coyote. Bad for: number crunching.
CBR Roadrunner score: 9/10.
Pic source: (C) Warner Brothers
Roadrunner No 3: Roadrunner JS-301 ($1,995).
Good for: getting around. Bad for: number crunching, avoiding Wil E Coyote.
CBR Roadrunner score: 3/10.
Pic credit: Joy Ride New Zealand.
