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China's LineShine Supercomputer Becomes World's Fastest, Surpasses US El Capitan by 20%

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
24 Jun 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:20% faster2017LineShineEl Capitan
Bodies:Top500Shenzhen Cloud Computing CentreLawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.China's LineShine supercomputer in Shenzhen declared world's fastest on Top500 list, 20% faster than US El Capitan.

2.LineShine uses only standard microprocessors (CPUs), not GPUs, a design choice that could blend AI with scientific computing.

3.China last topped the list in 2017; this win escalates the US-China technological competition for supremacy in supercomputing.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

China's LineShine supercomputer has reclaimed the top spot in the Top500 list, outperforming the US El Capitan by 20%. This marks the first time since 2017 that China leads, signaling a renewed phase in the US-China tech rivalry with implications for AI, climate modeling, and national security. The system's unique CPU-only design could reshape how supercomputers integrate AI.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Supercomputer NameLineShine
LocationShenzhen, China
Performance Lead20% faster than El Capitan
Previous LeaderEl Capitan (US, since Nov 2024)
Last Chinese Top2017

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Supercomputer Name: LineShine
  • ›Location: Shenzhen, China
  • ›Target this Data: LineShine supercomputer; 20% faster than El Capitan; China last topped in 2017.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Top500 list (organized by researchers; no single government body).
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Not applicable; focus on technological rivalry and implications.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which list ranks the world's most powerful supercomputers twice a year?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the news:

1. LineShine uses only standard microprocessors and no graphics processing units.

2. El Capitan had been the world's fastest supercomputer since November 2024.

3. China last placed a machine at the top of the Top500 list in 2017.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, by what percentage is LineShine faster than the previous leader El Capitan?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is a key implication of LineShine's CPU-only design mentioned in the article?

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