Best Server CPU in 2024
Among various models of CPUs, AMD Epyc and Intel Xeon become the best server CPU in 2024 for web servers, game servers, large-scale databases, home servers, and virtualization.
In 2024 AMD Epyc, specially AMD EPYC 4564P, achieved the highest performance score among CPU models, and thanks to its unparalleled speed and performance, strong security, and low power consumption, it overcame its competitors and became an ideal option for providing cloud services in large-scale organizations.
When buying VPS or Dedicated Server, choosing a powerful and high-performance computing CPU depending on your specific workload is important. Server CPU is the most critical component for the performance and responsiveness of any server from small home servers to large-scale data centers.
Top Processors for Servers
The best CPU for the server aligns perfectly with your specific workload, requirements, the purpose of using the server, and your budget. When choosing a server CPU, which is in charge of all of the calculations, and data processing, you must consider factors including core count, clock speed, cache size, and power consumption.
While other components like SSD storage, RAM, and networking affect server performance, the CPU is the foundation for high-performance servers. The power and performance of the CPU play significant roles in overall server performance, therefore select the CPU wisely.
Here are some best server CPUs in 2024:
1. AMD EPYC 4564P
In 2024, AMD EPYC CPUs have been superior to other models thanks to their high core and thread count. This process with high power and impressive clock speeds, delivers exceptional performance for handling multitasking and multiple workloads.
This top-level processor which ranges in price from $600 to $750 is often equipped with database servers, web servers, and virtualization.
2. AMD EPYC 4584PX
The AMD EPYC 4584PX is a combination of high clock speeds and high core count, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of server use cases. This processor which is available at a $600-$800 price, is designed for servers that stand out for its performance and efficiency because it has a 5.7 GHz clock speed, 16 cores and it can handle 32 threads.
This processor efficiently handles multitasking and processing demanding workloads thanks to its substantial number of cores, high computational power, ample cache memory, and AMD’s latest architecture.
3. AMD EPYC 7452
The AMD EPYC 7452 is a powerhouse server CPU that offers a robust core count with high clock speeds, making it powerful at handling demanding workloads. It is highlighted by equipping with 32 cores, high clock speeds, a large L3 cache, Zen 2 architecture (AMD’s advanced architecture), and PCIe Gen 4 support that ensures smooth operation and responsiveness.
This processor is excellent at handling high-traffic web servers, database management, game servers, home servers, and virtualization. You can benefit from this high-performance processor by paying around $1500-$2000.
4. Intel Xeon E-2388G
In technical terms, the Intel Xeon E-2388G processor has 8 cores and 16 threads, 16MB Intel smart cache, integrated Intel UHD graphics P750, Intel Turbo Boost technology, and ECC memory. This CPU with the $600 to $800 price range, has become popular in the server industry due to its strong single-core performance, and high clock speed.
This processor is ideal for applications prioritizing speed over core count. The Intel Xeon E-2388G delivers strong performance and efficiency for entry-level servers, workstations, and applications demanding rapid processing.
5. Intel Xeon Gold 6238T
The Intel Xeon Gold 6238T is a server-grade processor from Intel’s second-generation Scalable processor that is developed based on the Cascade Lake microarchitecture.
The Intel Xeon Gold 6238T is a 64-bit processor with 22 cores of high-performance server microprocessors, 1.9 GHz base clock speed, and 3.7 GHz turbo boost per core that is designed to deliver efficiency for a variety of server workloads.
Although this processor is a little bit expensive ($100-$3500), become a popular option for servers due to offering perfect performance for your money. The Xeon Gold 6238T with high core count and Hyper-Threading technology is well suited for web servers, database servers, virtualization, and general-purpose computing and excels in processing tasks.
6. AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is a high-performance model with 12 cores and a maximum clock speed of 4.8 GHz and Zen3 architecture which can handle 24 threads. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is a valuable option for certain server workloads which is best for processing and delivers respectable single-core performance for certain server applications requiring responsiveness.
This processor with the $260 to $600 price range, has become an attractive option among the budget-conscious because it offers the most value for your money. You can choose it for web hosting, and general-purpose home servers.
7. Intel Corei9-13900K
This processor belongs to the category of high-performance model with 24 cores, 3.0 GHz base clock speed, 5.8 GHz max turbo frequency, and 36MB Intel Smart Cache. The Intel Corei9-13900K has a high single-thread performance that excellent for workloads demanding quick response times and applications that rely on single-threaded CPU performance.
Intel Corei9-13900K which is costs typically around $600-$700, shines in gaming, light virtualization, and content creation. However, for server roles, Intel Xeon and AMD EPYC are more suitable than Intel Core i9-13900K.
8. AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is primarily designed for high-end gaming, workstation, and server applications with 16 cores, up to 4.9 GHz clock speed, and cache L2&L3. If you are looking for cost cost-effective option, the Ryzen 9 5950X has a fair price (starting around $150) compared to high-end server CPUs.
You can also rely on AMD Ryzen 9 5950X ‘s decent single-core performance for tasks like web serving. In addition, this processor by supporting 16 cores, 32 threads, and PCIe 4.0 can handle multi-threaded tasks such as compiling code and 3D/video rendering.
9. Intel Core i7-9700K
Investing in the Intel Core i7-9700K for basic gaming server functions, development and testing, light workloads, and home servers is the smartest thing you can do. This processor is excellent for tasks that rely on a single thread, such as video editing or gaming.
The Intel Core i7-9700K with the $200-$500 price range, has 8 cores and a maximum 4.9 GHz clock speed and 95W TDP, Coffe Lake architecture.
10. Intel Core i5 10600K
The Intel Core i5 10600K provides reasonable performance to handle workloads with single threads and multiple threads. It has become popular among gamers and content creators thanks to its structure which has 6 cores, 12 threads, and 4.1 GHz base clock speed and 4.8 GHz max turbo frequency. It is available for $150 to $250 price range.
11. Intel Core i9-10900kf Processor
The Intel Core i9-10900kf Processor belongs to the family of 10th-generation processors that receive the top score in its category by offering 10 core, 20 threads processor, base frequency of 3.70 GHz, and a max turbo frequency of 5.3 GHz.
Also, this CPU uses a 20 MB Intel Smart Cache and ensures smooth operation.
This processor is in the advanced product category which is compatible with every board and you can trust its reliability and security for long time usage. Plus, the Intel Core i9-10900kf Processor is one of the affordable choices (has a $250-$500 price range) for different server roles such as game servers, web servers, database servers, etc.
12. AMD Threadripper 3970X
The AMD Threadripper 3970X CPU is part of the AMD Ryzen product family, namely the Threadripper series which is made based on a Boxed platform processor.
Without a doubt, this processor is capable of handling workloads that rely on heavy multi-threading such as certain database applications, video encoding, rendering, and complex games by supporting PCIe 4.0 lanes (high-speed storage), 32 cores, 64 threads, maximum boost clock of 4.5 GHz and 128MB L3 cache.
This processor is compatible with almost all popular operating systems and offers high performance and efficiency for various server workloads, however, it is a little bit expensive which costs around $1,000 or more.
13. AMD Threadripper 3995WX
The AMD Threadripper 3995WX is AMD’s latest super processor and has become popular in the market in terms of offering the best performance for money (prices to range around $2,000 to $3,000 or more).
This processor comes with 64 cores, 256 MB L3 cache, and 128 threads and is built on AMD’s efficient Zen 2 microarchitecture that offers parallel processing capabilities and multi-core performance, is ideal for handling demanding workloads including multiple video streams, complex calculations, virtualization, and rendering.
14. Intel Core i9-10980XE
The Intel Core i9-10980XE is a powerful CPU from the Intel Core X series processor which is one of the gross-selling products in the market in 2024 due to its optimized features, performance characteristics for server workloads, and cost-effectiveness (starting around $850).
This processor has 18 cores, 36 threads, and 3.0 GHz base clock speed, 4.6 GHz max turbo frequency, and 24.75 MB Intel Smart Cache which provide ample processing power for demanding server workloads.
The processor is compatible with the FCLGA2066 socket and can work efficiently with different category boards.
The Intel Core i9-10980XE is ideal for Small-scale, low-traffic web servers, high-end workstations, media servers, and development servers.
15. AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D is a high-performance CPU that is optimized for gaming server and content creation workloads. This CPU with its 16 cores, 32-thread powerhouse with a massive 96 MB of L3 cache ensures a stable and smooth gaming experience.
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D CPU builds upon the Ryzen 9 7950X by offering 3D V-Cache technology, which significantly boosts game performance. Furthermore, this CPU has the power to handle strong content creation capabilities like video editing, 3D rendering, and graphic design efficiently.
This processor costs $150 to $600 and offers a good balance between performance and price.
Optimal server CPUs for home servers in 2024
Choosing a CPU for your home server depends on your specific needs, use cases, and budget. If your home server is primarily for data storage, you don’t need a powerful and expensive CPU.
However, if you’re using your home server for gaming or streaming digital content, investing in a powerful CPU with 6-8 cores, high clock speeds, and large cache at a reasonable price is a smart choice to ensure high-quality performance. You can find the best CPU for your home server from the following list:
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600 ($100- $200)
- Intel Core i7-9700K ($300-$400)
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200G ($100- $309.99)
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800X ($200-$400)
- Intel Core i5-13600K($200- $300)
- Intel Xeon E-2288G($500 – $700)
Best CPUs for game servers in 2024
For a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience, a powerful infrastructure and sufficient resources (at least 16GB of RAM, a fast SSD, and a fast internet connection) play an important role, therefore, you should have smart CPU choices. In choosing a CPU for hosting specific games, various factors such as the specific game you are hosting, the number of players you expect, and your budget range should be considered.
Intel Xeon and AMD Ryzen are processors designed to deliver powerful performance and reliability, making them excellent choices for game servers. For hosting demanding games like Minecraft, Rust, and Ark, high clock speed and a higher core count (more than 12 cores) are important.
Low power consumption, high speed, and exceptional performance of CPU are key factors in alleviating challenges for gamers. Considering these factors, we can introduce the following CPUs as the best options for gaming:
- Ryzen 7 7800 X3D ($300-$500)
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D ($450-$700)
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX ($1,799-$2000)
- Intel Xeon E5-2690 series ($200-$1000 or more)
Given the immense popularity of Minecraft among gamers, and considering that Minecraft servers run on single-threaded processing, the latest generation of Intel single-core, high-clock-speed processors is an excellent choice for hosting Minecraft.
Additionally, to host Minecraft, allocating at least 16GB of RAM and SSD storage will significantly enhance server performance for your game, resulting in a smoother gaming experience. Some of the best CPU options for Minecraft hosting include:
- Intel Corei5 10600K ($262-$300)
- AMD EPYC 74F3($$2,989.95)
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X($300-$500)
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200G ($100-$300)
- Intel Xeon E5-2600 series ($100-$1000)
Top CPUs for web hosting in 2024
Depending on website traffic expectations, website complexity, and your budget, you must select the proper CPU for your server. To empower your server to handle high traffic, host complex websites with large databases, and dynamic elements, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously, considering a powerful CPU with several cores, high clock speed, and large cache is crucial.
Intel Xeon and AMD Epyc & Ryzen processors are good choices for high-traffic website hosting.
Best Virtualization CPUs in 2024
The amount of workload and your specific needs are fundamental parameters in selecting the best CPU for virtualization. Considering the high number of cores, high number of threads, high clock speed, and large cache is essential for optimally managing multiple virtual machines simultaneously and tasks that require high processing power, as well as improving the overall performance of general-purpose virtualization.
Additionally, you shouldn’t overlook the correct configuration of CPU virtualization, as it directly impacts the overall performance of network resources and storage.
The best CPUs for virtualization are Intel Xeon and AMD Ryzen. AMD Ryzen, with its support for high core counts and competitive pricing, is ideal for virtualization. Intel Xeon, on the other hand, offers features like error correction and reliability, IT flexibility, and power-saving, making it an excellent choice for virtualization.
High-performance CPUs for workstations in 2024
The power of a workstation relies on its resources, especially the power of the CPU as the most important component. Therefore, you must choose the right CPU based on your workload and tasks. For handling tasks that require simultaneous processing, such as 3D rendering, video editing, etc., you should look for a CPU with a high number of cores and threads that AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper and Intel’s Core i9 processors are among the best.
If running on a single-threaded CPU is essential for your tasks and developing applications, the Intel Core i9-13900K, with its single-core performance, will serve your needs well. AMD Ryzen processors are excellent for multi-threaded tasks like machine learning, image processing, and signal processing.
For gaming and programming, processors with high clock speeds, such as Intel’s Core i9 or Core i7, are logical choices.
Understanding the importance of CPU in server performance
CPU stands for “Central Processing Unit,” which is a critical component of a server’s performance and responsiveness. The power of your server relies on its CPU which is responsible for handling all complicated calculations, data processing, and instructions.
CPU’s performance depends on other server hardware and impacts the server’s overall capabilities.
CPU’s speed and power determine how quickly it can handle multiple tasks simultaneously, ensuring quick response times. CPU’s efficiency significantly impacts demanding applications performance and the number of cores and threads of CPU plays a role in improving the process management by the server.
A powerful CPU can handle communication with other components like storage devices and network interfaces more quickly and efficiently, reducing latency and improving overall responsiveness.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Server CPU
When selecting the best server CPU, several factors should be evaluated to ensure optimal performance for your specific workload and application requirements. These key factors to consider when selecting a server CPU are as follows:
Core:
The core in the CPU is a processing unit that can execute instructions. Multicore CPUs can handle multiple tasks and computing instructions simultaneously which improves multitasking capabilities and ensures the smooth operation of the server.
Clock speed:
The clock speed of the CPU is measured in gigahertz, GHz, and determines the speed of instructions execution. Choosing high clock speed generally offers faster performance.
Threads:
Threads in the CPU are independent software-level execution units within a process which is responsible for computing processes and executing different parts of a program simultaneously.
Core count and threads in the CPU indicate how powerful the CPU is to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
A CPU with multithreading capability is the best choice for handling multitasks without performance degradation.
Cache:
The cache is a memory component to store frequently used data for faster data retrieval and the processor’s performance enhancement. Cache size affects how fast data can be accessible.
Therefore, selecting multiple levels of cache (L1, L2, L3) and larger cache sizes, improve the server’s overall performance.
As a result, evaluate your specific requirements and budget limitations and select the best CPU option for receiving long-term performance benefits.
Intel vs. AMD: A Comprehensive Comparison
In today’s server CPU market, two types of CPUs, Intel Xeon, and AMD Epyc shine as top server CPUs. Also, these two popular CPUs with improving their efficiency and performance have been competing fiercely for decades.
Intel Xeon Scalable Processors are known for strong single-thread performance and have focused on high clock speed while AMD Epyc is popular for their high core counts and competitive pricing and has emphasized advanced instruction sets and more cores.
Intel Xeon which is known as a high-end processor, is the best choice for applications that prioritize single-threaded performance. Intel Xeon is excellent for server-demanding workloads including data analytics, general-purpose computing, virtualization, cloud computing, and high-performance computing (HPC).
AMD Epyc is the perfect option for multi-threaded workloads and is well-suited for memory-intensive applications, database servers, video transcoding, home servers, etc.
What is the ultimate choice for server CPU?
You know how server performance is important for your online presence, therefore you must choose server CPU based on your specific workload requirements. As technology moves forward, you need to keep up with it and be up to date. Nowadays, both Intel and AMD processors achieve the highest scores compared to their competitors in terms of performance, speed, and security.
However, AMD EPYC processors have often led in this department by offering a high core count, superior clock speed, higher thread-per-core ratio, advanced architectural features, large and hierarchical cache systems, scalability, and advanced security features.
Fortunately, we empower our servers with the fastest and most efficient processors including AMD EPYC 7452 and Dual Intel Xeon E-2388G at affordable prices to provide unparalleled speed and performance, you are free to choose the best CPU for your purposes.