What is Roadrunner?

Not to be confused with Time Warner’s broadband Internet access provider, Roadrunner will be the first supercomputer to use the Cell BE (see earlier post on the PS3 as a cluster node). The unique architecture calls for inclusion of Opteron processors as well, which means that the system will be able to run a broad range of applications. The Cell will be used in much the same way as a co-processor, thus rivaling competing vendors such as ClearSpeed and DRC Computer. The machine will be installed at Los Alamos in 2008.