Tianhe-1

Tianhe-1, also known as TH-1, was a very powerful supercomputer. It could do calculations at a speed of 2.5 peta FLOPS, which means it could handle a huge amount of information very quickly. This amazing computer was located at the National Supercomputing Center of Tianjin in China.

In October 2010, an updated version called Tianhe-1A became the fastest computer in the whole world. It could reach a peak speed of 2.57 petaFLOPS. However, by June 2011, another computer called the K computer took over as the fastest.

Tianhe-1 used a Linux-based operating system, which helped it run smoothly. Sadly, in August 2015, big explosions in Tianjin caused the computer to stop working for a little while. But the computer itself was not damaged, and it started working again on August 17, 2015.

Background

Tianhe-1

Tianhe-1 was created by the Chinese National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) in Changsha, Hunan. It was shown to the public on 29 October 2009 and was the world's fifth fastest supercomputer at that time. It could process information at a speed of 563 teraflops and had a top speed of 1.2 petaflops. It used many Intel and AMD computer parts to work.

Tianhe-1A

In October 2010, an improved version called Tianhe-1A was introduced. This version had many more processing units and could reach a top speed of 4.701 petaflops. It used special Chinese-designed parts to connect its components quickly. The supercomputer is located in the National Supercomputing Center in Tianjin and is used for important tasks like studying petroleum exploration and designing aircraft. It is open for other countries to use as well.

The Tianhe-1A was the fastest supercomputer in the world until July 2011. In June 2011, scientists used it to perform a big simulation to study solar energy, reaching a speed of 1.87 petaflops. Unfortunately, the building where it is kept was damaged by an explosion nearby, but the supercomputer itself was not harmed and still works today.