At Supercomputing 2024, AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) celebrated its dominance in high-performance computing (HPC), marking its sixth consecutive Top500 list appearance as the driving force behind the world’s fastest supercomputer.
The El Capitan supercomputer at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), built by Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and powered by AMD’s Instinct™ MI300A APUs, achieved an industry-first 1.742 exaflops on the High-Performance Linpack (HPL) benchmark. This milestone positions El Capitan as the fastest supercomputer globally, while also highlighting its energy efficiency with top-tier placements on the Green500 list.
Unparalleled Collaboration and Innovation
“Forrest Norrod**, Executive VP and GM at AMD, expressed excitement over El Capitan becoming AMD’s second supercomputer to surpass the exaflop barrier. “This groundbreaking system exemplifies the innovation and collaboration between AMD, LLNL, and HPE, showcasing the unmatched performance and efficiency of AMD Instinct MI300 APUs,” Norrod remarked.
Rob Neely, Director of LLNL’s Advanced Simulation and Computing Program, emphasized El Capitan’s role in enhancing national security simulations, calling it “critical to the National Nuclear Security Administration’s mission.” Similarly, Bronis R. de Supinski, LLNL’s Chief Technology Officer, praised the system for pushing computational and energy-efficiency boundaries, particularly in integrating AI with traditional modeling.
AMD’s Advanced HPC and AI Technologies
AMD continues to advance enterprise and scientific computing through its cutting-edge technologies:
- AMD EPYC™ 9005 Series Processors: Delivering 37% improved generational IPC for HPC and AI workloads, these processors accelerate insights and outperform competitors.
- AMD Instinct Accelerators: The MI300X and MI325X deliver leadership performance for AI and HPC at scale. The MI300A combines CPU, GPU, and stacked memory in a single package, optimizing performance and energy efficiency.
Global Impact of AMD-Powered Systems
AMD’s HPC technologies are being deployed in leading-edge projects worldwide:
- HPC 6: Eni’s supercomputer ranks as the world’s fifth fastest for industrial applications.
- Norway: Sigma2 AS is installing AMD-powered systems to lead national supercomputing performance.
- IBM Cloud: AMD Instinct MI300X accelerators will enhance AI services and enterprise solutions in 2025.
- Quantum Research in Japan: AMD’s MI300A APUs will drive breakthroughs in AI and fusion research.
Leadership in the Exascale Era
AMD powers the only two exascale supercomputers globally, El Capitan and Frontier. These systems revolutionize fields like climate modeling, biomedical research, and national security.
- El Capitan: Essential for NNSA’s Stockpile Stewardship Program, it combines AI with HPC for critical missions, including nuclear deterrent assessments.
- Frontier: The second fastest supercomputer, Frontier continues to address global challenges and fuel AI advancements.
Through unparalleled performance, energy efficiency, and groundbreaking innovations, AMD is shaping the future of scientific discovery and AI, cementing its position as a leader in high-performance computing.