[detaro]

I don't think "real" supercomputers intentionally waste space, so I'd expect that there is not much potential for shrinking using COTS parts. (i.e. more COTS-like supercomputers are racks full of compact servers, sometimes stuffed with GPUs, sometimes more towards as many CPU sockets as possible)

[boh_grey]

Thanks for the reply.

I guess my intuition from reviewing the lists over time is that some supercomputers start at the top of the list and then drop as improvements to technology crown new winners.

But if you had to build a machine TODAY to just get on the bottom end of the list, what design choices might you make?