Cray X-MP: the birth of a supercomputer

The authors' experience in designing and manufacturing the Cray X-MP supercomputer is described. The X-MP is a multiprocessor design built on the basic architecture of the Cray-1 and incorporates the 16-gate emitter-coupled logic gate arrays used in the Cray-2 project. The goal was a two-processor machine compatible with the Cray-1 but with performance 1.5 to 2 times better. The authors examine the architectural considerations. They discuss the use of electronic design rules and CAD (computer-aided design); the packaging, interconnections, and cooling; and assembly and testing.>