How to Build a Home Supercomputer

This server case would be appropriate for a home super computer.

An in-home supercomputer is something not everyone has, and for someone that has an interest in computer hardware, building a computer system that is this powerful can be very rewarding. Having a supercomputer in the home can be useful as well. These systems have much more storage capacity and processing power than a normal computer, meaning they can hold many times the information a regular computer can, and can perform advanced calculations much faster than a normal computer.

These computers are no harder to build than a regular system, and if you have experience building PCs, the biggest challenge you will face will be affording the components required to build such a system.

Things You'll Need

• Case
• Motherboard
• Processor(s)
• Hard drives
• RAM
• Power supply
• Operating system
• Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Select the case for your supercomputer. This should be large enough to hold all of the required drives, while still providing enough room for air circulation to keep everything cool. Server cases are perfect for this task since they are designed to hold large components that likely produce a lot of heat. Keep in mind the form factor of the case, which will determine what kind of motherboard it will support. A standard ATX case will be compatible with the most motherboards.

2. Screw the motherboard into place. This vital component should be picked out with the processor(s) in mind. A supercomputer will need a lot of processing power. Most supercomputers have multiple processors, so if that is a desired feature, you will have to select a motherboard with multiple processor slots and matching processors. Another option is to select a motherboard that supports a single processor with multiple cores. A quad core processor provides the computing power of four processors on one chip.

3. Slide the processors into the sockets, and lock each arm down to hold them in place. Snap the heat sink and fan over each of the processors to help keep them cool. Each fan should connect to either a fan header on the motherboard or directly to one of the Molex power connectors from the power supply unit.

4. Install the hard drives. A supercomputer needs a lot of storage space. It is possible to install several terabytes on a single system. The largest limiting factor is budget and the motherboard's hard drive hookups. Usually the motherboard will provide enough hookups for four hard drives. If needed, a peripheral expansion card that provides additional hookups can be used as well.

5. Install the rest of the computer hardware as you usually would. Make sure there is enough RAM to support supercomputer tasks. A memory bank of at least 4 to 8 gigabytes should be considered for maximum multitasking potential. Ensure there is adequate airflow through the case, and that all wiring is secured out of the path to prevent it from causing restrictions.

6. Install the operating system. While a commercial desktop system such as Windows Vista will work just fine, the full power and stability of a supercomputer won't be realized unless a server operating system is used. The Windows Server platform or a Linux distribution specifically designed with servers and supercomputers in mind will provide the most power from your hardware selections.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider turning your supercomputer off when it's not in use since it will likely draw a lot of electricity.

Resources

• How to Build a Computer.
• Building a Super PC.