In today’s hosting and cloud environment, the debate between ARM vs x86 performance for servers has become one of the most important topics for data centers, developers, and hosting providers alike. As more organizations seek to optimize cost, speed, and energy efficiency, understanding the strengths and trade-offs between these two architectures is crucial.
Whether you’re a system administrator, DevOps engineer, or hosting provider evaluating infrastructure options, this guide will help you compare ARM server processors advantages with the traditional x86 server processors, analyze power efficiency ARM vs x86 servers, and decide which is the best processor architecture for web servers in different use cases.
Understanding Processor Architectures: ARM and x86
Before we dive into the performance and efficiency comparison, let’s establish the basics.
What is x86 Architecture?
The x86 architecture, originally developed by Intel, is the long-standing standard for desktop and server CPUs. It uses a Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) design, meaning it supports a large number of instructions, allowing for flexibility and performance for a wide range of workloads.
Popular examples include:
-
Intel Xeon server processors
-
AMD EPYC data center CPUs
x86 has dominated the server market for decades due to its performance, stability, and mature software ecosystem.
What is ARM Architecture?
ARM (Advanced RISC Machine) uses a Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) design, which focuses on executing simpler instructions at high speed. ARM processors were traditionally used in mobile devices and embedded systems because of their low power consumption and high efficiency.
However, with innovations like AWS Graviton, Ampere Altra, and Apple M-series, ARM is now a serious contender in the server space. Cloud giants like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are investing heavily in ARM-based data centers.
ARM vs x86 Performance for Servers
Performance is often the first factor developers consider when choosing server processors. The truth is — both architectures have their strengths, and the “better” option depends on your specific workload.
x86: Proven Power and Maturity
x86 chips like Intel Xeon and AMD EPYC dominate enterprise data centers for a reason:
-
High single-thread performance
-
Robust support for virtualization and hyper-threading
-
Compatibility with nearly all major server operating systems and applications
-
Decades of optimization for database, analytics, and web workloads
If your workload relies on established software stacks like cPanel, MySQL, or enterprise-grade virtualization, x86 server processors still provide top-tier performance and compatibility.
ARM: Efficiency with Competitive Performance
Modern ARM processors are closing the performance gap fast. Chips like Ampere Altra Max and AWS Graviton3 deliver impressive multicore throughput, often rivaling or even surpassing x86 in certain scenarios.
Key performance observations:
-
High core counts: Many ARM CPUs pack 80–128 cores per socket, allowing excellent parallel performance.
-
Cloud-native advantage: ARM architectures shine in microservices, container-based workloads, and modern web applications optimized for concurrency.
-
Compiler optimization: As compilers and software adapt to ARM’s architecture, performance continues to improve across PHP, Node.js, and Python workloads.
In benchmark tests by AWS and independent labs, ARM-based servers have achieved comparable or better performance per dollar compared to Intel Xeon instances in real-world web applications.
Power Efficiency: ARM vs x86 Servers
One of the most talked-about metrics in today’s data centers is power efficiency — and here, ARM clearly leads the race.
ARM: Designed for Efficiency
ARM processors were originally designed for battery-powered devices, and that efficiency ethos carries over to the server world. The RISC design allows ARM CPUs to:
-
Consume significantly less energy per computation
-
Produce less heat (reducing cooling costs)
-
Deliver better performance per watt
For web hosting companies managing hundreds or thousands of servers, these gains translate into substantial cost savings and reduced environmental footprint.
This advantage has driven the growing adoption of ARM server processors in hyperscale environments like AWS (Graviton), Oracle Cloud (Ampere), and Google Cloud’s Tau T2A VMs.
x86: Performance-Driven but Power-Hungry
x86 CPUs tend to draw more power due to their complex instruction set and higher base frequencies. While AMD and Intel have made strides in improving efficiency — especially with AMD’s 5nm EPYC chips — they still can’t match ARM’s energy savings per watt in many web workloads.
When comparing power efficiency ARM vs x86 servers, ARM typically uses 30–45% less power while delivering similar throughput, making it ideal for scalable, distributed, and cost-sensitive environments.
ARM Server Processors Advantages
ARM processors offer several compelling benefits that make them attractive for modern hosting and cloud infrastructure:
1. Cost Efficiency
ARM servers often provide lower total cost of ownership (TCO) due to:
-
Reduced power and cooling requirements
-
Competitive pricing on cloud instances (e.g., AWS Graviton is up to 40% cheaper than equivalent x86 instances)
-
High density: More servers can fit into the same rack space without overheating
2. Scalability
Because ARM chips support more cores with lower power draw, they are excellent for handling parallel workloads like web hosting, caching, and CDN nodes.
3. Sustainability
In an era where data center energy usage is under scrutiny, ARM’s low-power design supports green computing initiatives and reduces carbon emissions.
4. Security Enhancements
ARM processors feature built-in security extensions like TrustZone, which isolates sensitive code execution — valuable for multi-tenant web environments.
5. Innovation and Ecosystem Growth
The ARM ecosystem is rapidly maturing. Many major Linux distributions, control panels, and cloud-native tools now offer full ARM support, making it easier to adopt than ever before.
x86 Server Processors Comparison
While ARM is making impressive gains, x86 server processors continue to hold a strong position in enterprise and hosting markets. Their advantages remain significant:
1. Performance Leadership in Complex Workloads
For high-performance computing (HPC), database servers, and enterprise applications that require heavy single-thread performance, x86 CPUs like Intel Xeon Scalable and AMD EPYC are hard to beat.
2. Software Compatibility
The biggest edge for x86 is its mature ecosystem. Almost all commercial software, control panels, and enterprise tools are natively optimized for x86.
3. Virtualization and Legacy Support
x86 excels in virtualization technologies like VMware, Hyper-V, and KVM, as well as support for legacy software stacks. This makes it ideal for traditional hosting setups that need long-term stability.
4. Broad Vendor Support
From Dell and HP to Lenovo and Supermicro, most enterprise server manufacturers provide a wide variety of x86-based configurations, making it easy to scale and maintain.
5. Established Optimization
Years of research, BIOS-level optimizations, and kernel improvements make x86 servers predictable and stable — qualities that large-scale hosting providers value highly.
Power Efficiency ARM vs x86 Servers: A Closer Look
Let’s put the power efficiency ARM vs x86 servers comparison into perspective with a practical example.
| Metric | ARM (e.g., AWS Graviton3 / Ampere Altra) | x86 (e.g., Intel Xeon / AMD EPYC) |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | RISC | CISC |
| Power Consumption (Typical) | 30–40% lower | Higher |
| Performance per Watt | Superior | Moderate |
| Heat Output | Lower | Higher |
| Cost Efficiency | High | Medium |
| Ideal Use Cases | Web servers, microservices, containers | Databases, HPC, legacy workloads |
The takeaway: ARM servers win in efficiency and cost, while x86 still leads in raw compute and compatibility.
Choosing the Best Processor Architecture for Web Servers
When deciding on the best processor architecture for web servers, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The right choice depends on your hosting use case, application stack, and performance priorities.
Choose ARM If:
-
You’re running cloud-native applications or containerized workloads.
-
You value energy efficiency and cost savings.
-
Your stack (WordPress, Node.js, PHP, Nginx) supports ARM natively.
-
You’re building edge servers or distributed hosting networks.
-
Sustainability is a key organizational goal.
Choose x86 If:
-
You rely on legacy applications or proprietary software that’s only optimized for x86.
-
You need maximum single-thread performance or heavy virtualization.
-
Your organization already has x86 infrastructure and management tools in place.
-
You require enterprise-grade support and compatibility with legacy systems.
In many cases, a hybrid environment—using ARM for lightweight workloads and x86 for compute-heavy ones—offers the best of both worlds.
The Future: The Rise of ARM in Web Hosting
As cloud providers adopt ARM-based solutions, the hosting landscape is shifting fast. AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud now all offer ARM-based instances with compelling performance-per-dollar metrics.
For hosting providers like BeStarHost, integrating ARM-based VPS and cloud hosting options means delivering eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and affordable solutions to clients — without compromising on performance.
In the next few years, expect ARM servers to become mainstream in web hosting, particularly for high-density workloads like:
-
Static website hosting
-
Content delivery and caching
-
API servers
-
SaaS microservices
-
WordPress and WooCommerce hosting at scale
Conclusion: Balancing Performance, Cost, and Efficiency
The ARM vs x86 performance for servers debate isn’t about winners or losers—it’s about fit.
-
x86 remains the powerhouse for traditional enterprise, virtualization, and compute-heavy workloads.
-
ARM, on the other hand, is revolutionizing the server world with its unmatched energy efficiency, scalability, and growing software ecosystem.
When evaluating the best processor architecture for web servers, your decision should be guided by your application profile, scalability needs, and long-term cost strategy.
With ARM server processors advantages like lower power use and excellent parallel performance, and x86 server processors offering mature compatibility and proven reliability, modern hosting providers are increasingly adopting both — strategically using each where it excels.
At BeStarHost.com, we believe in delivering future-ready hosting infrastructure that balances power, performance, and efficiency. Whether you’re running on x86 or exploring the new wave of ARM-powered servers, we ensure your web hosting stays fast, secure, and sustainable.