[TChris]

Considering that IBM value-unit cost for cores on their pSeries frames can comes out to upward of $30K and sometimes as high as $50K per-core on their newer models, this is definitely a competitively priced option.

...unless you consider that the IBM machines aren't running Windows. IBM owners can actually use the horsepower they buy.

A better comparison would probably be with home-grown or Linux-run Beowulf cluster machines. I'm guessing those can be had for much less, and be in the same class.

[bamahead]

True. If you plan to run Windows you are paying for a lot of ‘bloatware’ overhead. But this thing can also run Linux.

The Beowulf stuff is neat but it’s not something commonly found in use at major corporations. Mostly in research...where money is usually tight and more flop for your buck is a necessity.

This Cray option still looks extremely competitive from a biz standpoint.