World's second fastest computer built in just 120 days

The previously top-ranked supercomputer, Japan's Earth Simulator, was knocked into third place, and IBM's BlueGene/L system came top, having performed an impressive 70.7 trillion calculations per minute (70.7 teraflops) in the test imposed by the TOP500 panel.But the second spot on the list with 51.9 teraflops was taken by a new entry, called Columbia. Developed by California technology company Silicon Graphics, with chipmaker Intel and NASA, Columbia was built in just 120 days. A machine this fast has never been built so quickly, its makers say. Prêt à porterColumbia was quick to build because it relies on hooking up off-the-shelf components into a single machine, says Erich Strohmaier, who helps to compile the TOP500 list.It expands the approach used to build previous supercomputers, such as the Earth Simulator. "Columbia is an evolutionary development," says Strohmaier. "That was one of the reasons they were able to build it very quickly."