computer science

NEC SX-8

NEC SX-8 is a computer science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand NEC SX-8 rather than just read about it. In short: The SX-8 is a supercomputer built by NEC Corporation. The SX-8 Series implements an eight-way SMP system in a compact node module and uses an enhanced version of the single chip vector processor that was introduced with the SX-6.

Key takeaways

NEC SX-8 belongs to computer science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect NEC SX-8 to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of NEC SX-8 from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

The SX-8 is a supercomputer built by NEC Corporation. The SX-8 Series implements an eight-way SMP system in a compact node module and uses an enhanced version of the single chip vector processor that was introduced with the SX-6. The NEC SX-8 processors run at 2 GHz for vectors and 1 GHz for scalar operations. The SX-8 CPU operates at 16 GFLOPS and can address up to 128 GB of memory. Up to 8 CPUs may be used in a single node, and a complete system may have up to 512 nodes. The SX-8 series ranges from the single-CPU SX-8b system to the SX-8/4096M512, with 512 nodes, 4,096 CPUs, and a peak performance of 65 TFLOPS. There is up to 512 GB/s bandwidth per node (64 GB/s per processor). The SX-8 runs SUPER-UX, a Unix-like operating system developed by NEC. The first production SX-8 was installed at the UK Met Office in early 2005. In October 2006, an upgraded SX-8 was announced, the SX-8R. The NEC SX-8R processors run at 2.2 GHz for vectors and 1.1 GHz for scalar operations. The SX-8R can process double the number of vector operations per clock compared to the SX-8. The SX-8R CPU has a peak vector performance 35.2 GFLOPS (10% frequency increase and double the number of vector operations) and can address up to 256 GB of memory in a single node (up from 128 GB). The French national meteorological service, Météo-France, rents a SX-8R for 3.7 million euros a year.

NEC published product highlights 16 GFLOPS peak vector performance, with eight operations per clock running at 2 GHz or 0.5 ns (1 GHz for scalar) 88 million transistors per CPU, 1.0 V, 8,210 pins (1,923 signal pins) Up to 8 CPUs per node, manufactured in 90 nm Cu technology, 9 copper layers, bare chip packaging Up to 16 GB of memory per CPU, 128 GB in a single node Up to 512 GB/s bandwidth per node, 64 GB/s per CPU IXS Super-Switch between nodes, up to 512 nodes supported, 32 GB/s per node (16 GB/s for each direction) Air cooled Runs SUPER-UX, System V port, 4.3 BSD with enhancements for multinode systems; ease of use; support for new languages and standards; and operation improvements

Illustrations

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with NEC SX-8

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what NEC SX-8 claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In computer science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to NEC SX-8 before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about NEC SX-8 ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of NEC SX-8

In research: NEC SX-8 appears in computer science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses NEC SX-8 in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: NEC SX-8 is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Computer-related introductions in 2005, Computer hardware stubs, NEC supercomputers, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for NEC SX-8 outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

Ask Teacher Smith questions about this articleOpens your AI tutor with a question about “NEC SX-8” →

Affiliate

Preply — study more efficiently by working with a personal tutor. 50% off.

How to study NEC SX-8 in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what NEC SX-8 means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain NEC SX-8 out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is NEC SX-8 in simple terms?

Why does NEC SX-8 matter?

Because it connects several computer science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study NEC SX-8?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on NEC SX-8.