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Comparing Multi-Core Processors for Server Virtualization

Robert E. Carpenter
Source:
Servers / Blades
Published:
Apr 13, 2009
Pages:
12

Intel IT tested servers based on select Intel multi-core processors to analyze the potential role of each in data center server virtualization strategies. Each server provided significant potential benefits in performance, power consumption per workload, and operating costs over older servers running non-virtualized workloads.

We compared a four-socket server based on the Quad-Core Intel Xeon processor X7350, with a total of 16 cores; a dual-socket server based on the Quad-Core Intel Xeon processor X5355, with eight cores; and a dual-socket server based on the Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor 5160, with four cores.

To test each server, we progressively added workloads, each consisting of a virtual machine (VM) with one copy of a CPU-intensive application. All three servers provided major improvements in performance and power consumption per workload over older servers running non-virtualized workloads.

With each server, runtimes remained flat until the number of VMs reached the number of cores, then increased in a predictable, linear way. The Quad-Core Intel Xeon processor X7350-based server was about twice as scalable as the Quad-Core Intel Xeon processor X5355-based server. It consumed more power overall but used the least power per job when running large numbers of VMs.

Based on our tests, the servers could effectively support different consolidation scenarios. Expandable, scalable servers based on the Quad-Core Intel Xeon processor 7300 series enable high consolidation levels in a busy enterprise data center. The efficient performance of servers based on the Quad-Core Intel Xeon processor 5300 series and Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor 5100 series support more moderate consolidation ratios, with very low power consumption.

 

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