The Best Processors for Virtualization in 2024: How to Choose

What is Processor for Virtualization

Before figure out what is processor for virtualization, we need to know what is virtualization. Virtualization can be simply understood as the creation of a virtual representation of physical hardware components, and there are different types of virtualization.

A processor for virtualization is a central processing unit (CPU) designed to efficiently handle and manage a virtual environment. Virtualization is the technique of creating multiple simulated environments or dedicated resources from a single hardware system. For effective virtualization, a processor needs to support and optimize various features that enhance the performance, scalability, and management of VMs.

How to Choose a Best Processor for Virtualization

Knowing how to choose the best CPU for virtualizations critical for ensuring smooth performance, efficient resource management, and the ability to run multiple virtual machines simultaneously without hiccups.

Key Factors to Consider

Before diving into the specific processors, it’s essential to understand the key factors that make a CPU suitable for virtualization.

1. Core Count and Threading: Virtualization heavily benefits from multiple core and threads, allowing for better distribution of tasks across VMs. The more cores and threads, the more VMs you can run efficiently.
2. Clock Speed: Higher clock speeds mean faster processing times, which is critical for workloads that require high computational power.
3. Virtualization Technology Support: Make sure the processor supports Intel VT-x or AMD-V, which is critical for hardware-assisted virtualization.
4. Cache Size: A large cache reduces the time it takes to access data from main memory, which can be beneficial in a virtualized environment.
5. Power Consumption: Efficiency is key, especially in large setups. Providing high-performance, low-power processors save money in the long run.
6. Compatibility with hypervisors: Make sure the CPU is compatible with your preferred virtualization software, such as VMware and Hyper-V.

Popular CPUs for Virtualization

When choosing a CPU, we may be confused. As we all know, Intel, AMD and IBM, are all excellent processor suppliers, so how should we choose the best CPU for running multiple virtual machines?

• Intel 3rd Gen Xeon Scalable Processors: The 5000 series range from six to 40 cores and six to 80 threads. Bronze processors are suitable for basic in-house servers. Sliver and Gold processors offer enhanced memory speeds, power, and additional security features. And Platinum processors are designed for high-performance enterprise data centers.
• AMD 3rd Gen EPYC Processors: The 7003 series features between eight and 64 cores and 16 to 128 threads. AMD also provides a Server Virtualization TCO Estimation Tool to help you select the processor that best fits your requirements.

• IBM Powe9 Processors: Power9 processors offer between four and 24 cores and are available in both scale-up configurations. They utilize advanced I/O subsystem technology to enhance off-chip I/O performance and compatible with major I/O standards, including Nvidia NVLink 2.0, PCle Gen 4, and OpenCAPI.

Intel vs. AMD: Which is Better for Virtualization

When selecting the best processor for virtualization, some factors we may consider that we have already mentioned above. Although we have introduced you some popular CPUs, next we mainly compare Intel and AMD processor for different virtualization needs.

1. Core Count and Scalability

• Intel

Intel’s Xeon processors are scalable and offer a range of core counts, but generally, they have fewer cores per socket compares to AMD’s EPYC processors. It also focuses on balances performance with good single-thread and multi-thread performance, but with fewer cores than AMD in comparable price range.

• AMD

AMD EPYC processors typically offer higher core counts, which is advantageous in environments with many VMs. The higher core count in AMD processors allows for better scalability in virtualization environments where core density is crucial.

2. Virtualization Technology

• Intel

Intel offers Intel VT-x and Intel VT-d technologies, which are hardware-assisted virtualization features that enhance the performance of virtual machines. Also, Intel’s EPT (Extended Page Tables) technology helps improve the performance of memory management in virtual environments.

• AMD

AMD provides similar technologies with AMD-V (virtualization support) and AMD-Vi (I/O virtualization), which are counterparts to Intel’s VT-x and VT-d. AMD also has RVI (Rapid Virtualization Indexing), similar to Intel’s EPT, which helps in improving memory management performance in virtual environments.

3. Performance

• Intel

Intel processors traditionally excel in single-threaded performance, which can be beneficial in virtualization environments. Intel has a strong presence in the server market with its Xeon processors, which are highly optimized for virtualization tasks.

• AMD

AMD’s Ryzen and EPYC processors often offer more cores and threads at a given price point compared to Intel, which can be advantageous in multithreaded virtualization environments where more cores are beneficial.

Following are some detailed information for some Intel and AMD processors:

Secure Virtualization with Free Backup Software

A powerful CPU ensures that the virtual machine runs efficiently. However, if your CPU has the following problems in a virtualized environment, it is urgent to perform a backup immediately to ensure data security:

• The CPU is overloaded, and the system becomes very slow. This is especially noticeable in virtualized environments, where all virtual machines may perform poorly.
• Significant CPU overheating. Continued overheating can damage the CPU or other components, causing applications to crash.
• The system freezes or reboots unexpectedly, leading to potential data loss or corruption.

AOMEI Cyber Backup is the software you urgently need. It's a free and centralized backup software for virtual machines, and it offers multiple benefits for your data protection.

Here are some features of AOMEI Cyber Backup：

Easy-to-use interface: Utilize an easy-to-navigate dashboard to set up and manage backups for virtual machines. Data protection is straightforward and can be managed with just a few simple steps, making it accessible to everyone.
Automated backup: Configure a backup schedule, and backup tasks will automatically execute at the designated times.
Role-based management: Use the admin account to create multiple user accounts with varying permissions for your team members.
Multiple Storage Destinations: Backup VMs to local directories, network shared folders, and NAS shared folders.

Now you can click the download button to install AOMEI Cyber Backup, next are some steps to guide you on how to use this tool to back up your VMs safely and free.

Step 1. Download, install, and run AOMEI Cyber Backup on Windows or Linux computer. In its interface, click Source Device to Choose VMware. Then click +Add VMware ESXi. Then add VMs by entering the host information.

Step 2. Click Backup Task on the left pane to Create New Task. Choose VMware ESXi Backup. Then setup Task Name, Target, Archive, Schedule, and other settings based on your needs.

• Target: You can select to back up to a local path, or to a network path. Used path will be saved in Favorite Storage for handy selection.
• Archive: Select Archiving backup versions to Amazon S3 and click Select to choose the previously added Amazon S3 bucket. If the S3 bucket hasn't been added yet, please enter the necessary information to add an Amazon S3 bucket for storage.

• Schedule: You can choose to perform full, differential or incremental backup, and automate execution daily, weekly or monthly according to the frequency you specified.

Step 3. Click the Start Backup to commit the backup task.

Conclusion

When it comes to selecting the best processor for virtualization, the right choice depends on your specific needs - whether you are running a small home lab, a mid-size business, or a large enterprise data center. AMD and Intel both offer powerful options across various price points, so you can find a processor that meets your performance requirements and budget.

By picking the right processor, you’ll ensure your virtual machines run smoothly, efficiently, and reliably.