Difference between Supercomputer and Mainframe Computer

Last Updated : 11 Jul, 2025

Supercomputers: Supercomputers are the largest in size and the most costly computers in the world. Seymour Cray invents the Supercomputer. Supercomputers are used for large and complex mathematical computations. Supercomputer's speed is more than Mainframe computers so they can execute billions of instructions or floating-point instructions within a second.

Mainframe Computers: Mainframe Computers are less costly, small in size, and slower in speed than the supercomputers. are used as a storage for large database and serve as a maximum number of users simultaneously. The first successful mainframe computer is invented by IBM. Mainframe computer’s speed is comparatively less than Supercomputers. In this millions of instructions are executed simultaneously.

Let's see the difference between Supercomputer and Mainframe Computer:

S.NO	Supercomputer	Mainframe Computer
1.	Supercomputers are used for large and complex mathematical computations.	While Mainframe computers are used as a storage for large databases and serve as a maximum number of users simultaneously.
2.	Supercomputer’s speed is more than Mainframe computer. It can execute billions of instructions within a second.	Mainframe computer’s speed is comparatively less than Supercomputers. In these millions of instructions are executed simultaneously.
3.	Supercomputers are the largest computers.	Mainframe computers are smaller than supercomputers in size.
4.	Supercomputers are the costliest in the world.	Mainframe computers are less costly than supercomputers.
5.	In the present, the supercomputers have Linux and their variant operating systems.	While Mainframe computers can have multiple operating systems simultaneously.
6.	Super computers are mostly purpose-built for one or a few specific institutional tasks.	Mainframe computers are built to handle a large variety of tasks.
7.	Seymour Cray invents the Supercomputer.	The first successful mainframe computer is invented by IBM.
8.	Supercomputers can have a processing speed in the range of 100 to 900 MIPS.	Whereas Mainframe computers can have a processing speed in the range of 3-4 MIPS to as high as 100 MIPS.
9.	Supercomputers find their application in fields like nuclear weapon simulation, etc.	Mainframe computers find their application in fields such as finance, health, etc.