Difference between mainframe and supercomputer
Main difference
Mainframe computers are professional-grade business computers that function as a server and are used by large organizations where data is processed in large amounts and accessed by hundreds and thousands of users at a time. A supercomputer is the fastest of all computers that has the ability to do billions of calculations per second and can process data 100 times faster than ordinary computers such as common personal computers. Mainframe computers are designed to deal with thousands of users accessing the system at once, while supercomputers are designed to be faster and more efficient with regard to data processing.
Comparison chart
| mainframe computer | Supercomputer | |
| Definition | Mainframe Computer is the professional grade high end computer used in large organizations to deal with thousands of concurrent users at the same time. It usually works as a server and serves a wide range of clients. | Supercomputer is the high-end computer with thousands of times more speed and processing power than normal computers. |
| Purpose and functions | Mainframe computers are built in an advanced way where they can run multiple programs at once, run multiple applications and perform multiple tasks, it deals with thousands of users accessing the server at the same time. | Perform millions of large calculations in seconds, for effective, efficient and accurate processing and output, handle a large amount of raw data, and quickly process into useful information. |
| Profits | Thousands of clients are one deal at a time, Saves time, increases effectiveness, provides flexibility, saves a lot of data, access to thousands of users. | Save time by being efficient and effective, high level of accuracy, extreme processing speed, capable of processing more data in less time, seamless communication. |
| Used in | Large commercial organizations such as banks, government database stations, military organizations, healthcare organizations, e-commerce and e-commerce, etc. | Space centers such as NASA, weather forecasting stations, scientific laboratories and nuclear power plants. |
Mainframe Computer is the high-end professional computing system used in large organizations to deal with thousands of concurrent users at the same time. Mainframe computers are extremely powerful in handling and running multiple programs and applications at the same time. Mainframes generally function as servers. They are very powerful servers for an organization or company, as they have the domain capacity to deal with a gigantic number of simultaneous clients and users at the same time. Mainframe computers not only deal with thousands of queries and requests from clients, but are also quite powerful and effective in terms of performing various types of tasks at the same time with flexibility, precision and effectiveness. Mainframe computers have remarkable flexibility in terms of support and are capable of running a wide variety of OS’s (operating systems). These are used in large data-driven organizations and trading companies where hundreds and thousands of clients need to make a deal along with their many queries at the same time.
What is supercomputer?
A supercomputer is the high-end master blaster computer system that is better than all other computer systems in the world. Supercomputers have the ability to perform billions of calculations per second and are capable of processing data 100 times faster compared to ordinary computers used in daily life around the world. It focuses more on processing speed and acceleration. It is about providing more and more capacity and power to process the data accurately and also in the minimum time frame. They are fully capable of complex calculations and can process a gigantic range of data at the same time. They are equipped with fast memory along with high-quality hardware and software support. These are the toughest, highest-end machines in the world.
- Mainframe Computer is the high-end professional computing system used in large organizations to deal with thousands of concurrent users accessing at the same time.
- A supercomputer is the high-end master blaster computer that possesses the best processing power and speed compared to all other computer systems in the world.
- A mainframe computer is designed to provide multiple access to users and is capable of running multiple applications and programs at the same time. Therefore, they perform various tasks collectively.
- The supercomputer focuses more on processing power and speed.
- Mainframe computers often function as servers.