Scribd
Upload
1K views

Difference Between Supercomputer and Mainframe Computer

Supercomputers are the largest, fastest and most expensive computers in the world. They are optimized for complex mathematical computations and can execute billions of floating point operations per second. The first successful supercomputer was the Cray 1, developed by Seymour Cray in 1976. Mainframe computers are also large, fast servers but are smaller, slower and less expensive than supercomputers. They are used by large organizations for tasks like banking and support multiple users simultaneously through scalable hardware and software. Key differences are supercomputers' focus on speed and complex calculations versus mainframes' role as servers supporting large databases.

Uploaded by

Hafeez Niazi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
1K views

Difference Between Supercomputer and Mainframe Computer

Supercomputers are the largest, fastest and most expensive computers in the world. They are optimized for complex mathematical computations and can execute billions of floating point operations per second. The first successful supercomputer was the Cray 1, developed by Seymour Cray in 1976. Mainframe computers are also large, fast servers but are smaller, slower and less expensive than supercomputers. They are used by large organizations for tasks like banking and support multiple users simultaneously through scalable hardware and software. Key differences are supercomputers' focus on speed and complex calculations versus mainframes' role as servers supporting large databases.

Uploaded by

Hafeez Niazi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Difference between Supercomputer and

Mainframe Computer

SUBMITTED BY: M. HAFEEZ ULLAH KHAN


SUBMITTED TO:   SIR EHSAAN UL HAQ
Difference between Supercomputer and
Mainframe Computer

Supercomputers:

Supercomputers are the largest, fastest and of the most expensive


computers in the world. Before getting into details let us discuss the
history of supercomputers. The company that delivered the first
supercomputer to the world is Cray Inc. Seymour Cray developed the
first supercomputer which was Cray 1, and it was released in the
year 1976. Though it was as fast as our today’s home computers, Cray 1
was most successful supercomputer of its time. It weighed around 5.5
tons.

Our today’s supercomputers are optimized in size and have become


faster than previous ones. As of now the fastest supercomputer in the
world is Sunway TaihuLight in mainland China. The main focus of the
supercomputer is faster complex mathematical computation.

The main purpose of the supercomputer is executing billions of floating


point operations in just a second. Now, you can imagine the speed of
the supercomputer. Most of the modern supercomputers
have Linux operation system where each manufacturer possesses its
own specific Linux derivative.

Mainly the supercomputers are used for weather forecasting, quantum


mechanics, nuclear energy research, neurological research and such
complex kind of operation which requires fast execution.
Mainframe Computers:

Mainframe computers are also large, fast and expensive computers,


but they are smaller, slower and less expensive than the super
computers. Several companies started manufacturing the mainframe
computers between the years 1950-1970. But the most successful and
dominant till date is IBM (International Business
Machines) Corporation.

Mainframe the name itself describe that it is a cabinet containing the


central processing unit which controls a large number of I/O
hardware. The mainframe computers support large database, vast I/O
hardware, and multiprogramming simultaneously. The mainframe
computer acts as a server and serves several users simultaneously.

Mainframe computers are scalable for both hardware and software i.e. 
It can support additional I/O hardware and can run multiple operating
systems at the same time. One of the advantages of the mainframe
computer is that it can run for years without interruption. Due to its
cost effectiveness, the mainframe computers are used only by a large
organization like banks, airlines, finance, healthcare, etc.

Key Differences Between Supercomputer and


Mainframe Computer
The supercomputer is known for its fast computation of complex
mathematical operations; it executes the billions of floating point
operation in a second. The mainframe computers act as a server; it
supports a large database, multiple user and multiprogramming, it is
basically for large business transactions.
The first successful supercomputer, Cray1 was invented by the Seymour
Cray in the year 1976. The IBM is the most successful and dominant
manufacturer of the mainframe computer.
Supercomputer is the fastest computer of the world whereas; the
mainframe computer is also faster but less than a supercomputer.
Supercomputer is the largest computer. However, the mainframe
computer is also large but less than a supercomputer.
 Supercomputers are more costly than mainframe computers.
The modern supercomputer operates on Linux or its derivative variants.
However, the mainframe computer can run multiple operating systems
as a single entity.

Conclusion:
Supercomputers are the largest, fastest and most expensive computer.
The mainframe computers are less powerful than supercomputers.

Comparison Chart:

BASIS FOR SUPERCOMPUTERS MAINFRAME


COMPARISON COMPUTERS

Basic Supercomputers Mainframe computers


fastly perform large act as a server, stores
and complex large database and
mathematical serve a large number of
computations. users simultaneously.
Invention The first successful IBM invented the first
Supercomputer was successful mainframe
invented by Seymour computer and is still a
Cray in the year 1976 dominant company for
Cray 1. producing the
mainframe computers.
Speed The supercomputer Mainframe computers
can execute billions of can execute millions of
floating point instruction
operations in a simultaneously.
second.
Size Supercomputers are Mainframe computers
the largest computers are also large
in the world. computers but
somewhat smaller than
supercomputer.
Expense Supercomputers are Mainframe computers
the most expensive are also expensive but
computers of the less than
worlds. supercomputers.
Operating System The modern Mainframe computer
supercomputers have has the ability to run
Linux operating multiple operating
system and derivative system simultaneously.
variants of Linux
operating system.

You might also like