Colossus Supercomputer
Overview
The world's largest AI supercomputer, built by xai-org in Memphis, Tennessee. Primary purpose: train grok-models. Also provides compute for X (Twitter) and other Musk projects (SpaceX, Tesla).Status: Operational since July 2024 Location: Former Electrolux factory, South Memphis (785,000 sq ft) Build time: 122 days (19 days from conception to construction start)
Hardware
| GPU Type | Quantity |
|---|
| ---------- |
|---|
| 150,000 |
|---|
| 50,000 |
|---|
| 30,000 |
|---|
| 110,000 |
|---|
Expansion
- Dec 2024: Doubled to 200,000 GPUs
- 2025: Expansion to Southaven, Mississippi
- 2025: Purchase of 1M sq ft site in Whitehaven, Memphis
- March 2026: $659M filing for 4-story building at Memphis campus
- MACROHARDRR data center (Southaven, MS): $20B, targeting 2 GW, "world's largest supercomputer"
Power & Cooling
- Current: 150 MW grid + 35 gas turbines (422 MW combined)
- Planned: up to 250 MW
- Water: millions of gallons/day; $80M wastewater treatment plant approved March 2025
- 50 MW battery storage planned
Environmental Concerns
- Largest industrial NOx emitter in Memphis (1,200-2,000 tons/year)
- Initially operated without permits (claimed "portable" exemption)
- Community reported respiratory issues, lack of transparency
- EPA revised standards Jan 2026 — large methane turbines now require permits
Lease Revenue
- May 2026: Anthropic rents all compute at Colossus 1 (300MW+, 220,000 GPUs)
- June 2026: Google rents capacity at Colossus 2 (from SpaceX, until June 2029)
- Establishes compute leasing as a revenue line for xAI