For the first time a supercomputer based in the Middle East has entered the top ten list of the most powerful computers on the planet.

The Shaheen II is based at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (Kaust) in Saudi Arabia.

The Cray XC40 computer is the seventh most powerful machine in the world, said the Top 500 organisation that monitors high-performance machines.

China’s Tianhe-2 retained its position at the top of the supercomputer list.

Here are the Top 10 from the 45th Top500 list:

Tianhe-2 (33.86 petaflops)
Titan (17.59 petaflops)
Sequoia (17.13 petaflops)
K Computer (10.51 petaflops)
Mira (8.59 petaflops)
Piz Daint (6.27 petaflops)
Shaheen II (5.54 petaflops)
Stampede (5.17 petaflops)
JUQUEEN (5.01 petaflops)
Vulcan (4.29 petaflops)

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