Cheyenne Supercomputer Up for Sale: A Tech Giant's New Chapter

Attention tech enthusiasts and supercomputer aficionados! The Cheyenne supercomputer, once ranked as the 20th most powerful computer in the world, is now on the market. Hailing from the NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center in Cheyenne, Wyoming, this beast of a machine is capable of performing a staggering 5.34 quadrillion calculations per second.

Don't let its current 160th ranking fool you; the Cheyenne Supercomputer is still a force to be reckoned with. Built with SGI ICE XA modules, it boasts 14 E-Cells, 28 water-cooled E-Racks, and a mind-blowing 145,152 cores powered by 8,064 Intel Xeon processors. With 313,344GB of memory and 224 IB Switches, this machine is a powerhouse of computational prowess.

What You Need to Know Before You Bid

Interested in owning a piece of technological history? Be prepared for some logistics. The Cheyenne does not come with fiber optic and CAT5/6 cabling, but internal DAC cables are included. Prospective buyers should also consider the 10 gallons per E-cell of previously used PGW coolant fluid, and the need for professional movers to transport this giant.

A word of caution: the supercomputer is labeled as "repairable." It has faced maintenance challenges due to faulty quick disconnects causing water spray, and roughly 1% of nodes have failed, attributed to DIMMs with ECC errors. These issues have yet to be fixed, and the system requires coolant drainage before moving.

With the auction heating up, the current bid is at $50,085, and the reserve price remains a mystery. Have deep pockets, ample space, and the drive to bring this monster back to life? Place your bid and potentially own a significant slice of supercomputing legacy.

For those who enjoy staying updated on cutting-edge technology, check out some of the latest news on the world's fastest supercomputers, including developments from Nvidia and Lenovo's new all-AMD AI 'supercomputer'.