---
title: "19 Seconds Instead of 110 Years: IBM Quantum Computer Breaks Computation Record"
description: "An IBM quantum computer completed a complex task in just 19 seconds, a calculation that would take a classical supercomputer about 110 years of continuous operation."
date: 2026-10-08T14:38:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/19-seconds-instead-of-110-years-ibm-quantum-computer-breaks-record
tags: [ibm, quantum-computer, nighthawk-r2, bluequbit, supercomputer, technology]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# 19 Seconds Instead of 110 Years: IBM Quantum Computer Breaks Computation Record

![IBM quantum processor on cloud platform](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/08/19-sekund-vmesto-110-let-kvantovy-kompyuter-ibm-pobil-rekord/19-sekund-vmesto-110-let-kvantovy-kompyuter-ibm-pobil-rekord-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- The IBM Nighthawk r2 processor completed the task in 19 seconds
- The Frontier classical supercomputer would take 110 years for the same calculation
- The experiment was conducted on publicly available cloud hardware without custom calibration

Quantum technologies have taken another giant leap forward, demonstrating superiority over classical computing systems in tasks of colossal complexity. A research team led by theoretical physicist Tigran Sedrakyan from the American company BlueQubit conducted a breakthrough experiment using the advanced capabilities of modern computing infrastructure. The results of this study, published on the arXiv preprint server, have already attracted close attention from the global scientific community and the IT industry.

### Essence of the Experiment and Capabilities of the Nighthawk r2 Processor

The experiment was based on a commercially available 120-qubit superconducting quantum processor, Nighthawk r2, which specialists accessed via IBM’s cloud platform. The scientists used 61 qubits of the system, exposing them to random quantum circuits of increasing complexity.  The optimal zone turned out to be 36 cycles of manipulations, during which the circuit utilized 918 two-qubit gates. As a result, the processor successfully generated a million data samples in just 19 seconds, setting an impressive milestone in quantum computing.

### Evaluation Methodology and Comparison with Supercomputers

Since directly reproducing such tasks on traditional machines is practically impossible due to architectural limitations, the researchers applied a special evaluation method—tensor network contraction. According to calculations, to simulate the quantum processor's results, a classical computer would need to perform an astronomical number of operations equal to 1.2×10²⁷.  Comparing this volume with the peak performance of the leading Frontier supercomputer, the scientists estimated that continuous calculations would take about 110 years.

### Significance of the Breakthrough and Technology Accessibility

The main uniqueness of this achievement lies in the fact that the experiment was conducted not on classified custom-made laboratory equipment, but on a standard publicly available cloud processor. The scientists achieved this without custom calibrations, proving the high maturity of modern cloud quantum infrastructure. Although classical algorithms continue to improve, this success serves as a powerful incentive for the ongoing technological race and the development of hybrid computing systems.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [19 секунд вместо 110 лет: квантовый компьютер IBM побил рекорд вычислений](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/19-sekund-zamist-110-rokiv-kvantoviy-komp-1791465840.html) - Основной источник информации об эксперименте BlueQubit на процессоре IBM.
- [Заявка на рекорд. Квантовый процессор IBM выполнил миллион вычислений за 19 секунд](https://techno.nv.ua/innovations/kvantovyy-processor-ot-ibm-vypolnil-raschet-na-kotoryy-ushlo-by-sto-let-menee-chem-za-20-sekund-50645432.html) - Дополнительный источник, подтверждающий технические детали и сравнение с суперкомпьютером Frontier.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: How long did the calculation take on the quantum computer?
**A:** The quantum processor completed the task in just 19 seconds.

### Q: What equipment was used in the experiment?
**A:** Scientists used IBM's 120-qubit superconducting quantum processor Nighthawk r2 via a cloud platform.