Edinburgh University unveils green computer

A ultra-fast computer which is 10 times more energy efficient than traditional computers, has been developed at Edinburgh University’s Parallel Computing Centre (EPCC).

The computer, called Maxwell, uses field programmable gate arrays (FPGA). The silicon in FPGA chips can be rewired for specific uses, increasing the computer’s speed by up to 300 times compared with conventional microprocessors.

Computers using FPGA also run more efficiently, more coolly and require less space compared with traditional computers.

Maxwell’s developers believe that the computer represents a new generation of compact and energy-efficient computers.

At the moment the technology is very difficult to program. This problem will be addressed over the following two to three years, when the technology could be put into commercial use. Intel is already exploring possible uses of FPGA.

Maxwell was developed by the FPGA High Performance Computing Alliance in a £3.6m project funded partly by Scottish Enterprise. It was designed and built by two Scottish businesses, Nallatech and Alpha Data with FPGA technology from Xilinx.

Story link: Edinburgh University unveils green computer

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