The First Cray T3D Supercomputer

Item Description

The First Cray T3D Supercomputer

A significant SN1 Cray: the first Cray T3D ever produced, serial number 6001, known as “Typhoon.” As the inaugural machine of the T3D series, it represents a defining step in Cray’s move from traditional vector systems into the era of massively parallel supercomputing, and stands as a museum-grade survival of exceptional importance.

Previously installed at the Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre at the University of Edinburgh, the machine earned international recognition, ranking 22nd globally on the TOP500 and the fastest supercomputer in Europe in June 1996. The system is configured as a single-cabinet Cray T3D-MC512, equipped with 512 DEC Alpha 21064 150MHz compute processors and liquid cooling using Fluorinert.

Especially notable is the fact that this system originally served as Cray’s internal development machine, and was therefore fitted with a unique wiring configuration that allowed staged upgrades from 256 to 320 and finally to the full complement of 512 compute processors.

Comparable examples are said to have cost approximately US$15 million when new.  Finished in Cray “Tomato Red,” the lot includes the main cabinet and HEU first-stage cooling system.

Size approximately - H193cm x W 117cm x D193cm  

Approx weight - 3175 kg

T3D cooling unit:

H193cm x W102cm x D142cm

Approx weight 771kg

Auction Details

The Cray Supercomputers Sale is being hosted exclusively on the global platform The Saleroom as a timed sale, for a month, to ensure buyers from all over the world have the opportunity to review the listings and leave their bids with plenty of time for queries, condition reports, additional photo requests and potential viewings. 

For any queries or to book a viewing appointment, please email office@rwbauctions.com or call 01793 840777. For more information about the sale, please click here.

The sale is currently live on The Saleroom and will run until 6pm BST on Sunday 31st May.