SAV: Perun Supercomputer Ranks 125th in TOP500 List after Preliminary Tests

Bratislava, 22 November (TASR) - The Perun supercomputer procured by the Centre of Joint Activities of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV) has secured 125th place on the global TOP500 ranking of the world's most powerful systems, the best result ever achieved by a Slovak supercomputer and a significant milestone in the development of high-performance computing (HPC) in Slovakia, SAV spokesperson Monika Tinakova told TASR earlier this week, adding that the TOP500 ranking is published twice a year. "Placed in the top quarter of the TOP500 list, Perun is proof that Slovakia can build world-class infrastructure. Once the system becomes available, Slovak users will gain access to technology that will significantly broaden research and innovation capabilities," said Nikola Kovanicova, general director of the Centre of Joint Activities at SAV. The results that secured 125th place on the list come from preliminary tests at the manufacturing facility before Perun's physical installation in Slovakia. Its performance is expected to improve further following delivery, integration and optimisation. "We also anticipate that in the next edition of the ranking, the system will feature among the top places of the Green500 subcategory of the TOP500 list in which supercomputers are ranked by their energy efficiency," stated Martin Sura, a representative of the system supplier. Perun will be made available to users in March 2026 following its installation and testing. Slovak scientists, universities, innovative companies and the public sector with thus have access to significantly higher computing power for various areas, such as modelling materials, climate and environmental simulations, drug development and advanced methods for artificial intelligence. "Perun is one of the most important investments in Slovakia's scientific infrastructure in recent years and an essential step towards making the country's more competitive within the European Research Area," added Tinakova. jrg/df/ko