# Energy-Sucking Supercomputers The K Computer is the World's Fastest, Clocking in at 10 Petaflops By Omar Yusuf | Published 2011-11-08 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/k-computer References: [gizmodo](http://gizmodo.com/5856272/japans-k-computer-is-the-fastest-of-them-all-topping-10-petaflops) & [wired](http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2011/11/japanese_megamachine/) A joint endeavor atwixt the [Japanese Ministry of Education](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sora-q) and the [Fujitsu Corporation](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/critical-software-component) led to the recent completion of the K Computer, the first computer to break the 10 petaflop barrier and the [fastest piece of technology](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/highperformance-computing-system) on the planet! Over 88,000 clusters of specially designed Fujitsu processors help make the K Computer unimaginably fast. Feel like calculating the tax expenditures and spending habits of 128 million people? Yeah, I didn't think so, but luckily this supercomputer can take care of the job in minutes. But the processing power of the K doesn't come without its fees -- the massive server consoles have helped Fujitsu rack up a dizzying annual electricity bill of $9.89 million. For now, rest easy in the knowledge that, although you may not know what a petaflop is, the K Computer still can't outpace your human mind! ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.4/10 - Popularity: 4% | Activity: 60% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Computers](https://www.trendhunter.com/computers) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Supercomputing Power:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop more energy-efficient supercomputers to reduce electricity consumption and costs. - **Green Computing:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create eco-friendly and sustainable solutions for high-performance computing systems. - **Data Processing Speed:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Invent faster data processing technologies to perform complex calculations and analysis in shorter timeframes. ### Who This Affects Most - **Information Technology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introduce energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions for data centers and supercomputing facilities. - **Renewable Energy:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop renewable energy sources and technologies to power energy-intensive computing infrastructure. - **Software Development:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create advanced software algorithms and optimizations to maximize the efficiency of supercomputers and reduce their energy consumption. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Scientific Discovery Supercomputers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/doudna-supercomputer.md) - [Compact AI Supercomputers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-top-atom.md) - [Revolutionary Quantum Processors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quantum-processor.md) - [Industry-Leading Gaming PCs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/8pack-asteroid-mk2.md) - [Collaborative High-Performance Supercomputer Launches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/highperformance-supercomputer.md) - [Luxury Desktop Processors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/12900ks.md) - [High-Powered Gaming Processors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ryzen-7-5800x3d.md) - [Powerful AI Mini Computers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-mini-computer.md) - [Efficient AI-Training Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-good-computer.md)