How Modern Supercomputers Powered by NVIDIA Are Pushing the Limits of Speed — and Science
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Evolution of High-Performance Computing (HPC)
- NVIDIA's Dominance in Supercomputing
- Accelerated Computing and Tensor Cores
- Advancements in Scientific Simulation
- Impact of AI and Mixed Precision in Scientific Discovery
1. Introduction
Modern supercomputers powered by NVIDIA are transforming the world of high-performance computing (HPC) by not only delivering fast calculations but also enabling breakthroughs in scientific research through the integration of AI systems. This article explores the recent developments in HPC and how NVIDIA's accelerated computing technology is driving advancements in speed and efficiency.
2. Evolution of High-Performance Computing (HPC)
The journey of HPC has evolved from building powerful clusters using personal computers to adapting gaming graphics cards for scientific work. Today, supercomputers, many utilizing NVIDIA accelerated computing, are designed for speed, with NVIDIA powering 77% of the top systems on the latest TOP500 list.
3. NVIDIA's Dominance in Supercomputing
NVIDIA's GPUs have become the backbone of supercomputing, with 83 of the top 100 systems on the TOP500 list relying on accelerated computing. The company's GH200 Grace Hopper Superchips are leading the way in energy efficiency, with nine of the top 10 systems on the Green500 list being accelerated by NVIDIA.
4. Accelerated Computing and Tensor Cores
Tensor Cores, advanced components inside NVIDIA GPUs, are speeding up matrix operations crucial for AI and deep learning. By repurposing hardware for scientific simulations, NVIDIA is developing libraries that leverage Tensor Cores for high-precision tensor and matrix calculations, enhancing accuracy, performance, and energy efficiency.
5. Advancements in Scientific Simulation
New methods utilizing Tensor Cores for a broader range of scientific simulation tasks are being explored, paving the way for improved performance and energy efficiency in common HPC simulations like BerkeleyGW. These advancements are set to revolutionize scientific computing.
6. Impact of AI and Mixed Precision in Scientific Discovery
The integration of AI and mixed precision in scientific workflows is becoming more prevalent, with models like Nightingale using NVIDIA Grace Hopper to draw insights from vast amounts of patient data beyond text-based reasoning. Nobel Prize-winning research in AI highlights the profound impact of these technologies on scientific discovery.