The "Piz Daint" supercomputer, currently the fastest computer in Europe, recently went into full operation. This incredibly powerful machine, which is used primarily for climate and weather modelling, employs graphics processors to help deliver more computing performance with significantly less power requirements than comparable supercomputers.

"Piz Daint" has been set up at the Swiss National Supercomputer Centre (CSCS) in Lugano and stands on a Type 7 raised access floor installed by Lenzlinger in a room approximately 2000 square metres in area. The floor, which sits on a fixed steel structure, is designed to withstand extremely heavy loads – in this case a point load of 700 kg. The 42 mm thick mineral fibre boards are coated with a rubber floor covering (noraplan).

(Picture: CSCS)