1.Introduction
Recently, I've received a lot of questions from friends: "What kind of server should I choose? Is it true that the stronger the CPU, the better?" Honestly, this is a common misconception. When I first started using cloud servers, I focused only on the CPU cores and threads. But once my projects scaled up, I realized the problem wasn't with the CPU, but with disk speed, bandwidth, memory, and other "hidden" parameters that are often overlooked.
So, today, I'm going to break down the most important factors to consider when choosing a server—especially if you're running an independent website, AI applications, cross-border e-commerce, or doing video processing. This article will help you avoid many common pitfalls.
2.Key Parameters Beyond the CPU
There are performance parameters that are often intentionally overlooked by service providers, resulting in users purchasing servers with seemingly good configurations but experiencing subpar performance. The key parameters include:
Disk type (SSD? NVMe? SATA?)
Disk I/O performance
Memory frequency and DDR generation
Bandwidth size and limitations
Network line quality (e.g., CN2, BGP, GIA)
Virtualization architecture (KVM, OpenVZ)
Whether resources are dedicated or shared
These parameters often have a more significant impact on your server's real-world performance than the CPU core count. They affect your server’s speed, stability, and ability to handle pressure.
3.Key Parameters to Choose When Selecting a Server
3.1Disk Type: NVMe Has a Greater Impact on Speed Than the CPU
From personal experience, I can tell you that many people initially focus on CPU configuration and overlook the disk performance. I once purchased a "2-core 4GB" server that seemed decent on paper, but the server was so slow it couldn't even handle the WordPress backend. Later, I discovered that the disk was SATA, and its I/O speed was incredibly slow.
In summary: If you don’t have NVMe SSD, don’t expect good performance.
In applications, website loading, and database queries, disk performance can often be more impactful than you realize. Services like LightNode and Yingguang Cloud use NVMe disks, which are ideal for running various applications efficiently.
3.2 Disk I/O: The Real Key to “Fast” vs. “Slow”
Disk I/O (read/write speed) has a huge impact on many applications. For example:
Is the WordPress backend slow?
How fast is the Docker image pull?
How fast is AI model loading?
A good disk I/O speed should ideally reach:
Read speed: 500MB/s or higher
Write speed: 300MB/s or higher
Keep in mind, not all SSDs guarantee high performance. Some service providers offer SSDs with I/O speeds as low as 50MB/s.
3.3 Memory Frequency and DDR Generation: More Important Than You Think
Many people think "4GB of memory" is good enough, but did you know that memory generation and frequency play a significant role in performance?
DDR3 (older technology, worst performance)
DDR4 (best cost-performance ratio)
DDR5 (stronger performance, but more expensive)
If you’re running multi-tasking, AI, or Docker, it’s recommended to start with DDR4 at the very least.
3.4 Bandwidth Size: More Directly Affects Experience Than CPU
Bandwidth is especially important for these types of services:
Video/image websites
TikTok live streams
AI application APIs
Independent websites with global access
If your bandwidth is insufficient, having a powerful CPU won't matter. Here’s the general bandwidth requirement:
Regular websites: 5–10Mbps
Independent sites/cross-border: 20–50Mbps
AI APIs: 50–100Mbps
Video services: 100Mbps or more
The bandwidth size largely determines whether you can provide a stable and smooth service.
3.5 Network Line Quality: Affects Latency, Determines User Experience
If your business requires cross-border services, especially for domestic access to overseas services, network line quality is crucial. Different network lines can directly affect user access latency:
CN2 (ideal for cross-border applications, low latency)
GIA/High-quality BGP (best for low-latency demands)
Regular international lines (prone to congestion and disruptions during peak times)
If you’re working with TikTok, cross-border e-commerce, or an independent site, the quality of the network line is more important than the CPU performance.
3.6 Virtualization Architecture: KVM Provides More Stable Performance
If possible, opt for KVM virtualization architecture. Why?
KVM: Hardware-level virtualization, stable performance, and less likely to experience bottlenecks.
OpenVZ: Older technology, shared resources, and performance bottlenecks.
If you have the budget, go for KVM—it offers better cost-performance and stability.
4.How to Check a Server's Actual Performance?
Before deploying, you can use the following tools to quickly check the server’s performance:
dd: Test disk storage speed
fio: Test disk I/O performance
free -h: Check memory type and available memory
lscpu: Check CPU model and frequency
speedtest-cli and mtr: Test bandwidth and line quality
Deploy a WordPress site or AI model to perform load testing
These actions will help you quickly identify any discrepancies between advertised and actual performance.
5.Conclusion
In summary, when selecting a server, don’t just focus on "how many cores and threads" it has. What truly impacts your business speed is disk performance, I/O, bandwidth, network line quality, and memory. I hope this article helps you avoid common mistakes and choose a server with truly reliable performance!