Cray T90
| Company type | Supercomputer series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware |
| Predecessor | Cray C90 |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Founder | Cray Research |
| Products | Vector processing supercomputers |
| Parent | Cray Research |
The Cray T90 series, internally referred to as Triton, represents the last generation of vector processing supercomputers developed by Cray Research, following the Cray C90. Introduced in 1995, these systems operated with a 2.2 ns (450 MHz) clock cycle and featured dual vector pipelines, achieving a maximum performance of 1.8 gigaflops per processor. The processors utilized ECL technology, which facilitated elevated clock frequencies. Each CPU incorporated a scalar data cache alongside instruction buffering and caching mechanisms characteristic of Cray architectures.
Configurations were available from four up to 32 processors, capable of handling either IEEE 754 or the traditional Cray floating-point arithmetic formats. The processors accessed a shared SRAM main memory of up to eight gigabytes, with a bandwidth allowing three 64-bit words per cycle per CPU. This translated into an aggregate STREAM bandwidth of 360 GB/s for a 32-processor setup. The clock distribution employed a fiber-optic harness for signal transmission.
The T90 lineup consisted of three models: the T94 supporting between one and four processors, the T916 accommodating eight to sixteen processors, and the T932 designed for sixteen to thirty-two processors. Upon release, the 32-processor T932 was priced at $35 million. Despite its technological advancements, the system was noted for experiencing reliability challenges.
Deployments of Cray T90 machines included various United States government facilities such as NAVOCEANO, alongside international organizations like NTT and Japan’s NIED. Additionally, prominent automotive companies including Ford Motor Company and General Motors, NOAA's Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Germany's Forschungszentrum Jülich, and France's Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique also utilized these supercomputers.
The physical enclosure of the system weighed roughly 10 short tons and contained approximately 4 short tons of fluorinert coolant. Its appearance was similar to that of a sizeable chest freezer, finished with black and gold panels.
Eventually, the Cray X1 succeeded the T90 series.