From Emerald Rapids server processors, 5th generation Intel Xeon CPUs, we learn that there are huge performance gains to be made in Linux environments. Indeed, by moving a single parameter in a line of code, it would be possible to gain up to 38% in performance while consuming 18% less power!
Emerald Rapids has yet to reveal all its secrets!
We’ve just learned that modifying a parameter in the system’s energy performance preferences will boost performance. Apparently, this isn’t a very complicated thing to do, since all you have to do is change the balance_performance parameter. By default, its value is 128, but changing it to 32 would result in better performance.
Initial feedback shows :
- 32% better performance on POV-Ray, while consuming 12% less power
- 12% performance improvement on OpenSSL, with equivalent power consumption
- 29% faster linux kernel compilation while consuming 18% less power
Clearly, this news isn’t aimed at everyone – it’s mainly the pro world that will be rubbing its hands. Emerald Rapids processors have typically been found in enterprise servers since late 2023. Improving performance while reducing energy consumption is an excellent thing, particularly in the case of machines integrating thousands of CPUs, such as the servers of Google, Amazon and others.
