Three computer makers have signed on to use Nvidia graphics processors and ARM-based CPU cores to launch the world's first 64-bit ARM development systems for high performance computing (HPC).
Known largely for mobile devices, ARM is branching out with the ARM64 servers, which feature Applied Micro X-GeneARM64 CPUs and Nvidia Tesla K20 GPU accelerators.
"Nvidia has built the industry's most comprehensive accelerated computing platform - including servers, software, development tools, processors, and related technologies - optimized for the HPC industry," Ian Buck, vice president of Accelerated Computing at Nvidia, said in a statement. "GPUs are the enabling technology that allow server vendors to build HPC-class systems around flexible ARM64 processors. The result is new, highly innovative computing solutions for HPC."
The technology will be integrated into upcoming systems from Cirrascale Corp., E4 Computer Engineering, and the Eurotech Group. Specifically, they plan to offer:
- Cirrascale RM1905D - High-density two-in-one 1U server with two Tesla K20 GPU accelerators; provides high-performance, low total cost of ownership for private cloud, public cloud, HPC, and enterprise applications.
- E4 EK003 - Production-ready, low-power 3U, dual-motherboard server appliance with two Tesla K20 GPU accelerators, designed for seismic, signal and image processing, video analytics, track analysis, web applications and MapReduce processing.
- Eurotech - Ultra-high density, energy efficient and modular Aurora HPC server configuration, based on proprietary Brick Technology and featuring direct hot liquid cooling.
The first GPU-accelerated ARM64 development platforms will be available in July from Cirrascale and E4, while production systems from all three vendors are expected to ship later this year, Nvidia said.
In addition, Nvidia is working with Los Alamos National Laboratory to "explore how we can unite GPU acceleration with novel technologies like ARM to drive new levels of scientific discovery and innovation," said Pat McCormick, senior scientist at the lab. "We aim to leverage the latest technology advances, both within and beyond the HPC market, to move science forward in entirely new ways."
Nvidia's new ARM development systems are on display at this week's International Supercomputing Conference in Germany, where the company also announced CUDA 6.5—a parallel programming platform that supports 64-bit ARM processors.
For more, check out PCMag's recent interview with ARM CEO Simon Segars.