I'm currently evaluating options for new servers to run Proxmox, aiming for a setup that involves a hefty 32 cores, 512GB of RAM, and 4x 10Gb Ethernet ports. Our vendor presented me with two configurations: the first option is a single AMD EPYC 9354P Processor with 32 cores running at 3.25GHz and a large cache, while the second option features dual AMD EPYC 9124 Processors, each with 16 cores at 3.00GHz. Historically, we've leaned towards dual CPU systems to maximize core count. Considering that the single CPU option offers a reasonable price and better power efficiency, I'm wondering what the advantages of the dual CPU setup might be. Is there a performance or capability benefit to choosing the dual setup over the single one, despite the extra cost and complexity?
4 Answers
Modern single CPUs pack enough power for most scenarios, especially with the higher clock speeds you're getting these days. If your workloads don't exceed 32 CPUs and don't require a ton of PCIe lanes, you might find the single CPU setup to be more than adequate. There's also the consideration of avoiding NUMA complexity, which can introduce latency issues for some applications that need to access significant memory quickly.
Going with a single CPU can be beneficial in terms of power efficiency and simpler board design. However, dual CPUs do have their advantages - like additional PCIe lanes which can be essential for NVMe SSDs and better memory performance due to more memory channels. Plus, having more cores can be useful depending on your workloads. Just remember that if you're running many small VMs, the benefits of dual CPUs might not be as significant since they'll be competing for memory bandwidth across sockets.
"It really depends" on your specific needs. Are you planning on scaling up a lot? If you just need a few nodes for redundancy, a single CPU in each would be fine. But if you're aiming for a larger cluster, dual CPUs might help manage the workload better and allow for more memory and I/O. Keep in mind your power and space limitations too; those factors might sway your final decision.
Yeah, I'd say the choice really hinges on your workloads. If you're looking for high I/O performance, where you need tons of PCIe lanes, dual CPUs could shine. However, if your needs are modest, a single CPU can handle quite a lot without the complexity. Just ensure that your workload doesn’t stress the limits of a single socket if you choose that route!
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