Top ARM-Based CPUs for Servers: A 2024 Guide

In the world of server computing, efficiency, scalability, and performance are key drivers behind the adoption of ARM-based CPUs. The ARM architecture, originally designed for low-power mobile devices, has evolved into a powerhouse for cloud computing and data centers, offering compelling alternatives to traditional x86 processors.

As of October 2024, ARM-based processors have gained significant traction in the server market, providing cutting-edge performance for cloud workloads, enterprise applications, AI, and high-performance computing (HPC). In this blog post, we explore the best ARM-based CPUs for servers, highlighting their strengths and use cases.

1. Ampere Altra / Altra Max / AmpereOne

Ampere Computing has become one of the leaders in ARM-based server CPUs, and their Altra series exemplifies why. Built for cloud-native and large-scale data center workloads, the Ampere Altra and Altra Max CPUs boast up to 128 cores, making them some of the highest core-count processors available today.

Why Choose Ampere Altra/Altra Max/One?

• High Core Count: With up to 128 cores, these processors are optimized for parallel processing, which is essential for cloud services and containerized environments.

• Energy Efficiency: ARM’s architecture allows Ampere CPUs to deliver exceptional performance-per-watt, making them a cost-effective choice for energy-conscious data centers.

• Cloud-First Design: Ampere CPUs are designed from the ground up for cloud computing, offering consistent and scalable performance across multiple workloads.

Ideal Use Cases

• Cloud Computing: Large-scale cloud-native applications, microservices, and multi-tenant environments.

• Data Centers: Workloads requiring high scalability and efficiency, such as web servers, database management, and container orchestration.

2. AWS Graviton2 / Graviton3 / Graviton4

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has been at the forefront of ARM-based server adoption with its Graviton series processors. The Graviton CPUs have rapidly become a favorite for businesses looking to maximize their cloud infrastructure’s performance while minimizing costs.

Why Choose AWS Graviton?

• Optimized for AWS: These processors are specifically built for AWS cloud environments, making them highly efficient for a range of AWS services like EC2, Lambda, and RDS.

• Cost-Effective: Graviton2 and Graviton3 offer up to 40% better price-to-performance than their x86 counterparts, while Graviton4 takes efficiency even further.

• Improved Performance: Graviton3, for example, offers 25% better performance than Graviton2, especially for compute-intensive tasks.

Ideal Use Cases

• Cloud Services: General-purpose workloads, including web servers, development environments, and containerized applications.

• Compute-Intensive Tasks: High-throughput workloads such as video encoding, machine learning inference, and gaming servers.

3. Marvell ThunderX3

Marvell’s ThunderX3 processor has gained recognition for its scalability, making it a top contender for enterprise-level data centers and cloud service providers. With support for up to 96 cores per CPU, the ThunderX3 is designed for multi-threaded workloads and offers excellent networking capabilities.

Why Choose Marvell ThunderX3?

• High Scalability: ThunderX3 is perfect for scaling up server environments with multi-core and multi-threaded performance.

• Advanced Networking: Designed with high-bandwidth networking in mind, ThunderX3 is ideal for network-centric workloads.

• Enterprise-Grade Performance: Marvell’s ARM-based CPUs are suited for mission-critical applications, ensuring consistent and reliable performance in large data centers.

Ideal Use Cases

• Enterprise Servers: Data-intensive applications, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems.

• High-Performance Computing (HPC): Workloads that require strong parallel processing and networking capabilities.

4. Huawei Kunpeng 920

Huawei’s Kunpeng 920 is another standout ARM-based CPU designed for servers, particularly in enterprise and cloud environments. The Kunpeng series delivers high performance with a focus on energy efficiency, making it a popular choice in Huawei’s own cloud and telecommunications infrastructure.

Why Choose Huawei Kunpeng 920?

• High Efficiency: The Kunpeng 920 offers excellent power efficiency, making it a great choice for organizations seeking greener data centers.

• High Performance: With up to 64 cores and impressive memory bandwidth, the Kunpeng 920 can handle a range of demanding workloads.

• Security Features: Huawei has incorporated advanced security features, making Kunpeng CPUs a robust choice for enterprises focused on data protection.

Ideal Use Cases

• Enterprise Servers: Cloud applications, database management, and big data analytics.

• Telecommunications: Large-scale telecommunications infrastructure and network management.

5. NVIDIA Grace

NVIDIA is renowned for its GPU technology, but with the NVIDIA Grace processor, it has entered the ARM-based server CPU market, targeting AI and HPC workloads. Grace is optimized for energy efficiency and works seamlessly with NVIDIA GPUs to deliver breakthrough performance in AI-driven applications.

Why Choose NVIDIA Grace?

• AI and HPC Focus: Grace is designed for workloads that require a mix of CPU and GPU acceleration, making it perfect for artificial intelligence, deep learning, and scientific computing.

• Energy Efficiency: As with most ARM CPUs, Grace offers excellent power efficiency, which is critical for scaling up high-performance workloads without increasing power consumption.

• Seamless GPU Integration: NVIDIA Grace works natively with NVIDIA’s GPUs, providing an unmatched platform for AI and HPC development.

Ideal Use Cases

• Artificial Intelligence: Machine learning, deep learning, and data analytics.

• High-Performance Computing (HPC): Scientific simulations, climate modeling, and large-scale research applications.

Conclusion: Choosing the Best ARM-Based CPU for Servers

When it comes to server CPUs, ARM processors have firmly established themselves as a viable—and often preferable—alternative to traditional x86 architecture. Whether you're looking for power efficiency, high core counts, or scalability, ARM-based CPUs offer compelling solutions across a range of use cases.

• For cloud-native workloads, the Ampere Altra/Altra Max/AmpereOne series stands out as the best overall choice, with high core counts and scalability to meet the needs of large-scale data centers.

• For AWS users, the Graviton3 and Graviton4 processors provide unbeatable price-to-performance ratios, making them the go-to choice for AWS environments.

• For AI and high-performance computing, NVIDIA Grace leads the way, offering unparalleled performance when paired with NVIDIA GPUs.

In the ever-evolving landscape of data centers and cloud infrastructure, ARM-based CPUs will continue to play a critical role in shaping the future of computing.