Editing Supercomputer (section)

===Capability versus capacity===
Supercomputers generally aim for the maximum in capability computing rather than capacity computing. Capability computing is typically thought of as using the maximum computing power to solve a single large problem in the shortest amount of time. Often a capability system is able to solve a problem of a size or complexity that no other computer can, e.g. a very complex [[weather simulation]] application.<ref name=NatCap />

Capacity computing, in contrast, is typically thought of as using efficient cost-effective computing power to solve a few somewhat large problems or many small problems.<ref name=NatCap >''The Potential Impact of High-End Capability Computing on Four Illustrative Fields of Science and Engineering'' by Committee on the Potential Impact of High-End Computing on Illustrative Fields of Science and Engineering and National Research Council (28 October 2008) {{ISBN|0-309-12485-9}} page 9</ref> Architectures that lend themselves to supporting many users for routine everyday tasks may have a lot of capacity but are not typically considered supercomputers, given that they do not solve a single very complex problem.<ref name=NatCap />