How powerful is China's supercomputer?

Chinese researchers have developed a super-fast machine that blows away its American competition

A Chinese engineer walks between the racks of the Tianhe-1A supercomputer, which is allegedly 1.4 times faster than the now second-fastest computer.
(Image credit: Corbis)

As in so many other areas, China is surging ahead of the rest of the world in supercomputing. Last week, The New York Times reported that the National University of Defense Technology in Tianjin has developed a superfast machine, the Tianhe-1A, that easily outpaces the current, American leader — thus "giving China bragging rights as a technology superpower." Is this a portentous moment for the rest of the world, or mostly just hype?

Just how fast is China's new machine?

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