Sandia National Laboratories has activated its SpiNNaker 2 server, a brain-inspired supercomputer featuring 175,000 CPU cores and no dedicated storage or graphics processing units (GPUs). This new architecture is part of the Spiking Neural Network Architecture 2, which mimics human brain neuron behavior and relies on interconnects to boost computational efficiency.
SpiNNaker 2 represents a significant upgrade from its predecessor, achieving a 10-fold increase in core count and improved performance through advanced manufacturing processes. The system can process large-scale hybrid AI models, biological neural simulations, and whole-brain modeling with its unique design.
The SpiNNaker’s innovative approach prioritizes efficiency over brute force methods, using on-chip memory and SRAM storage to reduce power consumption. This technology allows the system to run with reduced energy expenditure compared to traditional computers.
With this upgrade, Sandia National Laboratories solidifies its position as one of the top brain-inspired platforms worldwide. The SpiNNaker 2 server is set to perform significantly better than its predecessors, making it a promising tool for researchers and developers in the AI sector.
Source: https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/supercomputers/brain-inspired-supercomputer-with-no-gpus-or-storage-switched-on-spinnaker-2-mimics-150-180-million-neurons