Full support in major distros (Ubuntu, RHEL, etc.)
Table of Contents
What is CPU Architecture?
From performance benchmarks to practical implications, we’ll break down everything you need to know about ARM and x86 architectures in the context of modern computing and cloud infrastructure.
- Interprets machine instructions
- Manages data flow
- Handles computational tasks
- Allocates and uses registers
- Manages memory interactions
Native Docker support, growing ecosystem
How is CPU Architecture Different from Software?
893ms
How is CPU Architecture Different From The Operating System?
The X64 architecture, also known as AMD64 or Intel 64, is a 64-bit extension of the x86 architecture. It was developed by AMD and later adopted by Intel to develop CPUs. Now, it has become the predominant 64-bit processor architecture for desktop and server computers.HTTP Failures
| MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB | We designed a controlled testing environment that minimized variables and provided a fair assessment of ARM versus x86 server performance. | RunCloud provides comprehensive support for both ARM and x86 server environments. Whether you’re exploring performance optimizations or scaling your infrastructure, RunCloud ensures seamless deployment, monitoring, and control across different server architectures. |
| ARM Architecture | Lower power consumption | X86 architecture was predominantly used in the early days of computing, but it was later replaced by X64 architecture for several reasons: |
| ARM’s design allows for more compact and thermally efficient chip manufacturing, resulting in lower hardware production costs and the ability to create denser server configurations. This economic incentive is particularly compelling for hyperscale cloud providers and large-scale computing environments that operate thousands of servers simultaneously. | Support Costs | Modification Complexity |
| Logical/Functional level | CPU Architecture | CPU architecture is the fundamental design and operational blueprint of a computer’s central processing unit. It defines how it processes, manages, and executes instructions at the most elemental hardware level. It dictates the core structural elements that determine how a processor: |
ARM Server Architecture
To understand this, you can think of CPU architecture as the engine design in a car, software as the driver’s instructions, and the operating system as the dashboard and control mechanisms that coordinate everything.ARM SupportARM64 refers to the 64-bit ARM processor architecture, also known as ARMv8-A. It is a RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) design that provides significant improvements over the previous 32-bit ARM architecture.
- Improved performance: Compared to 32-bit ARM processors, ARM64 processors have a more efficient instruction pipeline and can execute more instructions per clock cycle.
- Power efficiency: The ARM64 architecture is designed for low power consumption, making it well-suited for mobile, embedded, and IoT (Internet of Things) applications.
X86 Server Architecture
Software TypeLet’s get started!
- 64-bit registers and address space: X64 processors support 64-bit integer and floating-point data types, allowing them to access significantly more memory (up to 16 exabytes) compared to the 32-bit x86 architecture.
- Expanded instruction set: X64 introduces additional instructions and registers that enhance performance for 64-bit applications. This includes support for more general-purpose registers, which can improve the efficiency of arithmetic and logical operations.
- Backward compatibility: X64 processors maintain compatibility with the 32-bit x86 instruction set, ensuring that existing software designed for 32-bit systems can run seamlessly on 64-bit platforms.
ARM vs x64(x86) Server Architecture Comparison Guide
This reduction in operational expenses is why major cloud providers and enterprise data centers are gradually shifting their infrastructure towards ARM-based solutions.
Core Architectural Comparison
Container Support
- ARM follows a Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) model, which is a simpler, more streamlined instruction that can be executed quickly and with lower power consumption.
- In contrast, x86 uses a Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) approach, which supports more complex, multi-step instructions that can perform sophisticated operations with fewer lines of code.
It may require specialized knowledgeAfter that, we created a standard WordPress installation with 20 blog posts for our performance evaluation.
| Can be updated/replaced easily | However, this is only possible if the developer creates a specialized version of the operating system for a particular architecture. For example, Windows has a special version of its operating system for Windows on ARM devices. | 21.67 |
| Mature ecosystem, competitive pricing due to scale | Software/OS | Throughout this article, we have discussed the different nuances of ARM and x86 architectures, as well as each platform’s strengths and considerations. |
| Metric | Lower initial investment | Web Servers |
| Requests Made | 383ms | x86 Architecture |
| Higher power costs | Lower licensing costs, emerging ecosystem | Peak Requests per Second (RPS) |
Software Compatibility
Typically 30-50% better power efficiencyMarket Maturityx86 Support
| Dependent on an underlying architecture | 0 | All major databases |
| 5.7k | P95 Response Time | Widely available expertise |
| Widely available expertise |
Cost Considerations
Hardware CostsThe ARM and x86 architectures are two fundamentally different approaches to CPU design, primarily distinguished by their instruction set architectures (ISA).0Databases
| Feature | While these benchmarks highlight ARM’s impressive performance, it’s important to understand that server architecture selection is nuanced. x86 server architecture is a robust, mature technology with: | While these benchmarks highlight ARM’s impressive performance, it’s important to understand that server architecture selection is nuanced. x86 server architecture is a robust, mature technology with: | Learn more about how RunCloud can help you manage your servers. |
| Factor | Higher power consumption but improving with newer generations | We deployed two identical server configurations within the same cloud provider and region, carefully matching specifications including vCPU count, memory allocation, and network parameters. | |
| Variable, competitive at scale | Requires physical redesign | Requires physical redesign | |
| Hardware-level | While these architectures cannot directly run each other’s machine-level code due to their distinct instruction sets, modern programming languages provide a critical abstraction layer. Compilers can translate high-level code into architecture-specific machine instructions, allowing the same source code to be compiled for both ARM and x86 processors. | RunCloud supports both ARM and AMD64 CPU architecture for your servers, but if you are looking to pick between ARM and x86 architecture, then there are several things that you should know: | |
| At RunCloud, we’ve witnessed the impact of CPU architecture choices, particularly in server environments where performance and efficiency directly affect business costs. While consumers might be exploring ARM processors for personal computing, our focus is on the server-side revolution: how different CPU architectures are affecting cloud infrastructure, application performance, and operational efficiency. | Level of Operation | The results should be interpreted as a demonstration of ARM’s emerging capabilities rather than a wholesale replacement recommendation. When considering architectural transitions, you should evaluate their specific workload requirements, existing infrastructure, compatibility needs, and total cost of ownership. |
Growing rapidly, especially with AWS Graviton
- Request Volume: ARM servers processed approximately 54% more requests compared to x86 servers, indicating a significant throughput improvement.
- Request Efficiency: The peak requests per second for ARM servers (32 RPS) substantially outperform x86 servers (21.67 RPS), which shows enhanced computational efficiency.
- Latency Performance: The P95 response time for ARM servers (383ms) is markedly lower than that for x86 servers (893ms), representing a dramatic reduction in latency that could improve user experience.
Major platforms such as Linux, Windows, and macOS now provide robust toolchains that enable developers to build applications that can be easily recompiled for different CPU architectures.Most languages supported natively
- Extensive ecosystem support
- Proven reliability
- Widespread enterprise adoption
- Significant ongoing development and optimization
Operating systems manage hardware resources and provide an interface between other software and the computer’s hardware. Through specialized kernels and drivers, an operating system can support multiple CPU architectures.
Instruction SetDominant market position, extensive vendor supportARMARM64 processors are widely used in various devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and servers. They are also used in nearly all modern mobile devices, where power efficiency is crucial. Although it still has some rough edges, ARM64 is gaining traction in the embedded system design and cloud computing domains, where its performance and scalability are valuable assets.However, the choice between ARM and x86 is no longer a binary decision but a strategic consideration dependent on specific workload requirements, cost structures, and performance needs.
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