Breaking down CPU speed: How utilization impacts performance

The GitHub Performance Engineering team conducted experiments to examine how CPU utilization affects system performance, observing that increased CPU usage leads to higher latency and potential inefficiencies. By exploring the performance characteristics of various CPU models, the team aimed to optimize system efficiency without over-provisioning resources. Utilizing the Large Unicorn Collider (LUC) environment, they simulated workload conditions to gather data, revealing that CPU frequency and latency are significantly impacted by Intel's Turbo Boost Technology and Hyper-Threading. The team identified the "Golden Ratio" of CPU utilization, balancing efficiency and performance, and addressed an outlier case where disabled CPU C-states hindered Turbo Boost benefits. These insights guide resource provisioning strategies, optimizing hardware use and ensuring cost-effective, high-performing infrastructure.