Convey Computer Corp. Launches Hybrid-Core Computer

By DE Editors

The HC-1, described as a new solution for the high-performance computing (HPC), was launched at SC08 (Austin TX; sc08.supercomputing.org) from Convey Computer Corporation (Richardson, TX) as the world’s first hybrid-core computer.

The Convey HC-1 integrates advanced, patent-pending computer architecture and compiler technology with commercial, off-the-shelf hardware —an Intel Xeon processor and Xilinx Field Programmable Gate Arrays. The HC-1 features a Convey-engineered coprocessor with its own high-bandwidth, virtual memory addressed, cache-coherent memory subsystem in a scalable 2U chassis. Plus, an ANSI standard development environment gives programmers 100 percent productivity and portability, states the release.

The HC-1 transforms HPC by breaking through the current power/performance wall to increase performance; it is easy for programmers to use because it provides full support of an ANSI standard C, C++ and Fortran development environment; and it reduces support, power, and facility costs for companies. It also makes integration into current HPC environments simple and inexpensive.

The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) placed the first order under its Project GreenLight power and energy efficiency initiative, and estimates substantial performance gains and cost savings. Steven Wallach, co-founder of Convey Computer, is the 2008 winner of the Seymour Cray Computer Science and Engineering Award.

For more details, visit Convey Computer Corporation.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.