AMD has once again asserted its leadership in high-performance computing (HPC) by powering the world’s fastest supercomputer, El Capitan, according to the latest Top 500 rankings. This milestone marks the sixth consecutive time AMD has propelled a system to the top of the list.
El Capitan, located at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and built in collaboration with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), achieves an unprecedented High-Performance Linpack (HPL) benchmark of 1.742 exaflops. The system is powered by AMD Instinct MI300A APUs, combining CPU and GPU cores in a single package for enhanced performance and efficiency. Additionally, El Capitan and its companion Frontier supercomputer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory hold impressive standings on the Green500 list, showcasing AMD’s commitment to energy-efficient computing.
“For El Capitan to become the fastest supercomputer in the world is a testament to the innovation and dedication of AMD, LLNL, and HPE,” said Forrest Norrod, Executive Vice President at AMD. “Our Instinct MI300 APUs represent a significant step forward in delivering the computational power and energy efficiency required for HPC and AI workloads.”
LLNL’s Rob Neely, director of the Advanced Simulation and Computing program, emphasized El Capitan’s importance to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The supercomputer enables high-fidelity simulations critical to national security missions and scientific exploration. Bronis R. de Supinski, Chief Technology Officer for Livermore Computing, praised the system’s ability to merge AI with traditional modeling, paving the way for breakthroughs across scientific disciplines.
A New Era for AMD HPC Solutions
AMD’s latest offerings, including the EPYC 9005 Series processors and Instinct accelerators, are reshaping the landscape of technical computing. The EPYC processors deliver up to 37% better performance for HPC and AI workloads, while the Instinct accelerators push the boundaries of AI and exascale-class performance.
The adoption of AMD technologies extends globally:
- Italian energy firm Eni uses AMD-powered HPC 6, the fifth-fastest supercomputer for industrial applications.
- Norway’s Sigma2 AS is upgrading its national supercomputing capabilities with AMD-powered systems.
- IBM is integrating AMD Instinct MI300X accelerators into its cloud offerings to enhance AI applications.
- Japan’s National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology will deploy AMD Instinct MI300A APUs for advanced research.
El Capitan: Advancing Science and National Security
As the most powerful exascale-class supercomputer, El Capitan serves as a cornerstone for the NNSA’s critical missions. It provides unparalleled computational resources for the Stockpile Stewardship Program, ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear deterrent without physical testing.
The system also supports AI-driven research in climate modeling, biosecurity, and inertial confinement fusion, addressing some of the most pressing scientific and societal challenges. Its companion, Frontier, continues to drive innovation in fields ranging from biomedical research to large language model training.
Shaping the Future of Technology and Discovery
AMD’s pioneering efforts in HPC and AI are transforming research capabilities worldwide. Systems like El Capitan and Frontier highlight the company’s dedication to pushing the limits of computational performance while maintaining a focus on sustainability. Together, they enable researchers to tackle complex global challenges, fostering a future driven by discovery and innovation.
