Are Altra processors better than those from AMD and Intel?

The American company Ampere Computing, manufacturer of Altra processors, demonstrates that its Altra processors offer better performance compared to its competitors AMD and Intel. This efficiency is particularly noticeable in a multi-core server under full load.

The ARM architecture that makes the difference

Altra processors use the ARM architecture to differentiate themselves from AMD and Intel x86 processors. This is a real advantage because it allows each core of the Altra processor to remain constant and operate at its maximum frequency, regardless of the workload being processed on the server.

Ampere Computing offers Altra processors with up to 80 cores and Altra Max processors with up to 128 cores . The company states that each core can be dedicated to a specific user or program, unlike x86 processors where load balancing between cores is not transparent. This provides a significant advantage for servers with Altra processors, especially for shared hosting, cloud computing, or running multiple programs and batch jobs under full load. Indeed, the performance of each core in an AMD or Intel x86 processor varies depending on the different workloads being processed on the server. The Turbo frequency of x86 CPUs can be high when fewer cores are active, and this frequency decreases inversely proportionally to the load when more cores are active.

A real comparison

For example, the Xeon Platinum, a 56-core x86 processor, operates at 4 GHz with one or two cores active. However, it operates at 3.3 GHz in Turbo Boost mode with all 56 cores under load. This makes a shared server increasingly less efficient as new users connect or are added to the server, or as new programs are launched. Indeed, the maximum clock speed can no longer be reached.

Amar Dhamdhere, Director of Product Management at Ampere Computing, confirms that Altra processors are designed for cloud environments and deliver consistent turbo performance under varying and optimal workloads. For example, the Q80-30 operates at a constant base frequency of 2.8 GHz , reaching a maximum frequency of 3 GHz . This is true whether a single core is active or all 80 cores are under full load. Furthermore, Altra processors allow users to set the core operating frequency independently of the server load.

The processor sector is booming

Ampere is thus introducing Altra processors to the market as native cloud computing processors. Various projects from other major manufacturers such as AMD and Intel, based on the ARM architecture, are currently underway. Other startups like NUVIA, MARVELL, and Ampere Computing are making inroads into the market. Apple, for its part, is launching its own Apple Silicon processors, abandoning previous collaborations with Intel. It's safe to say that the processor sector is buzzing with activity, and several projects are in development. We eagerly await to see how things will unfold in the coming months.