This leading German university will use its new computer to further advance the field of physics in a number of key areas. For example, research scientists will use the SC5832 to assist in the calculation of quantum spin systems, a series of projects that have been accumulating data for 20 years. In addition, specific applications will run on the SC5832 in the areas of many-body physics and materials science, including the study of nano- and microstructures in semiconductor materials, random number generation and eutectic crystallization. The university’s Laboratory of Fluid Dynamics and Technical Flows will use the SC5832 to advance research in the field of fluid dynamics.

The competition to provide this next-generation research system to the University of Magdeburg was intense, with six computer manufacturers represented. MEGWARE and the SiCortex system came out on top for scalability, far outpacing the others. The single-cabinet SC5832 outperformed the various competing systems in other dimensions, as qualifying tests run prior to purchase demonstrated that its overall system bandwidth was 18 times greater than competing systems for their particular applications.

In terms of energy efficiency, the SiCortex system again led the competition. “We capped power consumption at 60 kilowatts for the bid, and that limit was a problem for many of the proposed systems,” said Dr. Rolf Knocke, director of the Computing Center at the Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg. “Not only did the SiCortex system meet our power requirements, it came in 40 kilowatts under the limit — quite impressive considering the performance levels of the machine. The expected cost savings over time by running this energy efficient system was also a factor in our decision. Overall, we’re very optimistic about how the computer will perform, and are proud to be the first university in Europe to install this dedicated HPC machine.”

"Over a five year period, our customers have saved thousands of dollars in energy costs with the SC5832 compared to competing clusters that are similar in design," said Joerg Heydemueller, a sales representative for MEGWARE. "The energy savings benefits not only our customers, but the environment as a whole, and we hope that many HPC users will begin to follow this example."