High Performance Computing Overview

High Performance Computing (HPC)

• HPC refers to aggregating computing power to achieve higher performance than typical desktops/workstations. This allows for solving large problems in science, engineering, and business.

Key Drivers of HPC

• Growth in Data Generation: Data is doubling or increasing exponentially. Variety, volume, and velocity of data are multiplying demands on computing resources.
• Complex Simulations and Modeling: Fields like climate science, physics, and bioinformatics require sophisticated models demanding substantial computing power.
• Limitations of Single-Core Processors: Modern processors can't handle the computational demands of complex simulations.
• Cost and Power/Heat Limitations: Creating faster processors is often limited by cost, power consumption, and heat generation.
• Memory Limitations: Putting vast amounts of memory on a single processor can be expensive.

Serial Computing

• Only one instruction is executed at a time.
• Instructions are processed sequentially.
• This is a slower way of processing complex tasks compared to parallel processing.

Parallel Computing

• A method of computation using multiple calculations simultaneously.
• Large problems are divided into smaller problems and processed at the same time, speeding up the process.

Application Areas of HPC

HPC in Science

• Space Science: Astrophysics, Astronomy
• Earth Science: Geological structures, water resource modeling, seismic exploration
• Atmospheric Science: Climate and weather forecasting, air quality
• Life Science: Drug design, genome sequencing, protein folding
• Nuclear Science: Nuclear power, nuclear medicine, defence
• Nano Science: Semiconductor physics, microfabrication, molecular biology, new materials exploration

HPC in Engineering

• Crash Simulation: Automobile and mechanical engineering
• Aerodynamics Simulation & Aircraft Designing: Aeronautics and mechanical engineering
• Structural Analysis: Civil engineering and architecture

HPC in Multimedia and Animation

• Increased Complexity of Content: High resolution images (e.g., 4K, 8K) and complex visual effects demand more processing power.
• Complex Effects: Advanced visual effects (VFX) and rendering techniques require heavy computations.
• Real-Time Rendering: Enables gaming and VR experiences, producing realistic physics simulations.
• Large Data Processing: Managing large datasets like video files and 3D models.

Explore the key drivers and concepts of High Performance Computing (HPC). Understand the challenges posed by data growth and the limitations of current technology. This quiz delves into the evolution of computing power and its applications in various scientific fields.