A massively-parallel ab initio computer code, which uses Gaussian bases, pseudopotentials, and the local density approximation, permits the study of transition-metal systems with literally hundreds of atoms. We present total energies and relaxed geometries for Ru, Pd, and Ag clusters with N = 55, 135, and 140 atoms; we also used the DMOL code to study 13-atom Pd and Cu clusters, with and without hydrogen. The N = 55 and 135 clusters were chosen because of simultaneous cubo-octahedral (fcc) and icosahedral (icos) sub-shell closings, and we find icos geometries are preferred. Remarkably large compressions of the central atoms are observed for the icos structures (up to 6% compared with bulk interatomic spacings), while small core compressions ({approx} 1 %) are found for the fcc geometry. In contrast, large surface compressive relaxations are found for the fcc clusters ({approx} 2-3% in average nearest neighbor spacing), while the icos surface displays small compressions ({approx} 1%). Energy differences between icos and fcc are smallest for Pd, and for all systems the single-particle densities of states closely resembles bulk results. Calculations with N = 134 suggest slow changes in relative energy with N. Noting that the 135-atom fcc has a much more open surface than the icos, we also compare N = 140 icos and fcc, the latter forming an octahedron with close packed facets. These icos and fcc clusters have identical average coordinations and the octahedron is found to be preferred for Ru and Pd but not for Ag. Finally, we compare Harris functional and LDA energy differences on the N = 140 clusters, and find fair agreement only for Ag.
