Intel and NEC today joined hands to develop High Performance Computing (HPC) system technologies to be incorporated in future supercomputers built on Intel® Xeon ® processor.

The alliance says that the combined competencies of NEC’s expertise in developing supercomputers and performance of Intel Xeon processor as well as Intel’s Advanced Vector eXtentions (AVX) will enable designing of high performing supercomputers based on Intel architecture.

NEC will also continue to sell its existing SX vector processor-based products.

“Intel's substantial investment in the Intel architecture, including the development of processors, chipsets, software compilers and other related products has expanded the usages of Intel Xeon processors in both the volume and high-end HPC market segments," said Richard Dracott, general manager of Intel's High Performance Computing Group. "Now with NEC further innovating on Intel Xeon processor-based systems, Intel is poised to bring Intel Xeon processor performance to an even wider supercomputing audience."

"NEC's substantial experience in the development of vector processing systems, including vector pipeline management, memory sub-systems, and high speed interconnect technology is a natural fit for taking Intel architecture further into new markets ," said Fumihiko Hisamitsu, General manager of HPC Division at NEC. "NEC will enrich its HPC product portfolio through this collaboration as well as continuous enhancement of its vector supercomputer."

To start with the alliance aims to work on developing of hardware and software solutions to enhance the memory bandwidth and scalability of Intel Xeon processor-based platforms.

Such systems are used by scientists, doctors, non-profit organizations and businesses such as oil and gas exploration to speed research and testing.