Thursday, December 18, 2025

Enhance Aurora PostgreSQL throughput by as much as 165% and price-performance ratio by as much as 120% utilizing Optimized Reads on AWS Graviton4-based R8gd cases


AWS has been repeatedly bettering the efficiency and price-performance ratio of AWS Graviton processors and Amazon Aurora with every new launch. Now you can use Graviton4-based R8gd (with native NVMe-based SSD) cases with Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Suitable Version that includes Optimized Reads-enabled tiered cache and non permanent objects. By upgrading from Graviton2-based db.r6g to Graviton4-based db.r8gd, you possibly can obtain as much as 165% increased throughput, as much as 120% higher price-performance ratio, and enhance the appliance response time by as much as 80%.

On this put up, we display how your workloads can profit from upgrading Graviton2-based R6g and R6gd cases to Graviton4-based R8gd cases with Aurora PostgreSQL 17.5 on Aurora I/O-Optimized utilizing an Optimized Reads-enabled tiered cache.

Scaling database cache utilizing Aurora PostgreSQL with Optimized Reads

Startups, mid-size corporations, and enterprises working functions, starting from generative AI to internet-scale and real-time analytics, have quickly rising information volumes. Because the working dataset exceeds database reminiscence, the database begins studying from storage as an alternative of reminiscence, which might enhance question latencies, make them unpredictable, cut back throughput, enhance I/O prices, and finally delay enterprise processes and ship a sub-par person expertise.

The Aurora I/O-Optimized configuration offers a method to enhance write throughput for I/O-intensive functions whereas holding the value predictable. However sustaining persistently low learn latencies when the working dataset exceeds database reminiscence may be difficult. To beat this, you possibly can scale up the database cases to extend reminiscence and maintain the working dataset cached. Nonetheless, when different {hardware} useful resource utilization stays low, this method isn’t cost-effective.

To handle this frequent situation, Aurora gives I/O-Optimized with Optimized Reads-enabled tiered cache. This function extends the database caching capability by as much as 5 instances the occasion reminiscence utilizing native NVMe SSDs, enabling extra information to be cached regionally and decreasing community storage entry. Aurora Optimized Reads-enabled tiered cache delivers quicker question response instances with predictable latency, increased throughput, and higher price-performance ratio.

Prospects are already seeing important advantages from the Amazon Aurora Optimized Reads-enabled tiered cache. For instance, Mindbody achieved substantial outcomes throughout a number of metrics: 50% CPU discount, 90% lower in learn IOPS, as much as 59x quicker question execution, and 23% value financial savings. For extra data, see How Mindbody improved question latency and optimized prices utilizing Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL Optimized Reads.

In one other success story, Claroty improved their system’s efficiency by decreasing API request instances from roughly 30 seconds to underneath one second on common, whereas slicing operational prices by 50%. For extra data, see How Claroty Improved Database Efficiency and Scaled the Claroty xDome Platform utilizing Amazon Aurora Optimized Reads.

Optimized Reads-enabled tiered cache may improve your generative AI/vector workloads by accelerating vector operations and decreasing latency for vector similarity search. For extra data, see Enhance the efficiency of generative AI workloads on Amazon Aurora with Optimized Reads and pgvector.

Advantages of Aurora PostgreSQL 17 with Optimized Reads and Graviton4 R8gd

Aurora PostgreSQL 17 main model launched important efficiency enhancements for I/O-Optimized cluster configurations with enhancements to database write path, together with:

  • Smarter storage batching algorithms that dynamically alter flush sizes and frequencies based mostly on real-time storage efficiency.
  • Optimized writes by minimizing interference from background upkeep duties and delivering extra constant efficiency with improved commit latency and throughput.
  • Improved allocation of Write-Forward Log (WAL) stream numbers, leading to elevated throughput for write-heavy workloads on the Graviton4-based cases.

Aurora PostgreSQL 17.4 lets you dynamically alter non permanent objects storage dimension as much as six instances of occasion reminiscence.

Aurora PostgreSQL 17.5 additionally lets you retailer as much as 256 TiB in a single database cluster, making it simple to deal with utility scaling and information administration in a single cluster.

With Graviton4-based R8gd, you possibly can scale your Aurora PostgreSQL with Optimized Reads as much as 48xl (from the earlier most of 32xl), which supplies 192 vCPU in a 1:1 core ratio (192 CPU cores), 50 Gigabit of community, 1.5 TiB of occasion reminiscence, and 10.4 TiB of native NVMe capability. The native NVMe SSD capability extends the native database cache as much as 7.34 TiB (utilizing default shared buffer).

Aurora PostgreSQL 17 optimizations mixed with Graviton4 R8gd enhanced {hardware} specs ship superior efficiency for the next use instances:

  • Web scale functions resembling funds processing, billing, e-commerce with strict efficiency SLAs.
  • Actual-time reporting dashboards that run tons of of level queries for metrics/information assortment.
  • Generative AI functions with the pgvector extension to look actual or nearest neighbors throughout tens of millions of vector embeddings.

For extra details about Aurora Optimized Reads capabilities and utilization suggestions, see Bettering question efficiency for Aurora PostgreSQL with Aurora Optimized Reads.

For extra details about Aurora PostgreSQL on AWS Graviton4-based cases, see Obtain as much as 1.7 instances increased write throughput and 1.38 instances higher worth efficiency with Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL on AWS Graviton4-based R8g cases.

To display the {hardware} and software program enhancements, we carried out complete benchmarking utilizing industry-standard workloads. Within the following matters, we discover the benchmark methodology, the surroundings structure, and the positive aspects.

Benchmark workload and methodology

We used HammerDB, an open supply database load testing and benchmarking device that generates constant and repeatable take a look at situations. HammerDB simulates on-line transaction processing (OLTP) workloads throughout numerous database engines, together with PostgreSQL. The TPROC-C workload in HammerDB is modeled after the TPC-C benchmark, which executes a number of transaction sorts, together with learn and write operations with concurrent classes.

Check surroundings configuration

We used HammerDB to load the database and run workloads on an Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL 17.5 cluster. The warehouse configuration generated database sizes of roughly 128GB for small workloads (2xlarge) and 1,024GB for medium workloads (16xlarge) sizes, with each sizes exceeding the occasion reminiscence. We used concurrency as two instances the vCPU with 10 minutes ramp-up and 20 minutes run in a 2xlarge (small workload) and 16xlarge (medium workload).

The HammerDB ran on Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) utilizing the identical dimension and Availability Zone because the database occasion.

Metrics

We measured and in contrast HammerDB new orders per minute (NOPM) throughput and utility response time.

Cases capability

The next desk summarizes the occasion sorts and {hardware} specs used on this benchmark.

Occasion Measurement Processor vCPU Cores GHz Reminiscence (GiB) DRAM Occasion Storage (GB) – NVMe SSD Optimized Reads-enabled Tiered Cache dimension (GB) Optimized Reads-enabled Non permanent object dimension (GB) Community Baseline/Burst (Gbps)
db.r6g.2xlarge* Graviton2 8 8 2.5 64 DDR4 N/A N/A N/A 2.5 / 10
db.r6gd.2xlarge* Graviton2 8 8 2.5 64 DDR4 1 x 474 (474) 262 137 2.5 / 10
db.r8gd.2xlarge* Graviton4 8 8 2.8 64 DDR5 1 x 474 (474) 262 137 3.75 / 15
db.r6g.16xlarge Graviton2 64 64 2.5 512 DDR4 N/A N/A N/A 25
db.r6gd.16xlarge Graviton2 64 64 2.5 512 DDR4 2 x 1,900 (3,800) 2,105 1,099 25
db.r8gd.16xlarge Graviton4 64 64 2.8 512 DDR5 2 x 1,900 (3,800) 2,105 1,099 30

* These cases have a baseline bandwidth and might use a community I/O credit score mechanism to burst past their baseline bandwidth on a greatest effort foundation. Different occasion sorts can maintain their most efficiency indefinitely. For extra data, see Amazon EC2 occasion community bandwidth. For particulars about occasion specs, see Specs for Amazon EC2 reminiscence optimized cases.

Benchmark surroundings’s structure

The next diagram illustrates the benchmark surroundings’s structure, the place we deployed EC2 occasion working HammerDB (driver) to benchmark the Aurora cluster (goal) with one author and one reader occasion, though no workload was working on the reader.

Notice that Graviton-4 based mostly db.r8gd and Graviton2-based db.r6gd cases embrace native NVMe SSD storage, whereas db.r6g cases don’t.

The next diagram illustrates the structure for Aurora PostgreSQL I/O-Optimized with native NVMe storage, Optimized Reads-enabled tiered cache, and non permanent objects.

Benchmark comparability

When evaluating and evaluating Aurora DB occasion class sorts, it’s essential to take into account a number of components to make an knowledgeable determination. Key areas to evaluate embrace throughput, utility response time, and price-performance ratios. By inspecting these elements, you possibly can have a broader understanding of the efficiency and price-performance ratio positive aspects, and the way the appliance efficiency can profit with a decrease and extra constant response time.

On this put up, we talk about two attainable improve paths and the advantages from every path.

  • Enabling Aurora Optimized Reads by utilizing the db.r8gd cases – Exhibits the advantages you may get from utilizing the Optimized Reads function and upgrading from db.r6g to db.r8gd occasion.
  • Upgrading from db.r6gd to db.r8gd cases – Exhibits the advantages you get from upgrading an current Aurora Optimized Reads cluster from a db.r6gd to a db.r8gd occasion.

Throughput comparability

We measure database throughput in NOPM, which is a efficiency metric that measures what number of new orders per minute the database can course of inside a specified time interval. This metric evaluates the database’s processing capability throughout a number of dimensions: CPU processing pace, question execution time, I/O, community, and reminiscence pace.

The next charts present that by upgrading Aurora PostgreSQL I/O-Optimized from db.r6g cases to db.r8gd cases with Optimized Reads, you possibly can obtain a 165% enchancment in throughput for the 2xlarge occasion and a 136% enchancment for the 16xlarge occasion.

The next charts present that by upgrading Aurora PostgreSQL I/O-Optimized with Optimized Reads on db.r6gd cases to db.r8gd cases, you possibly can obtain a 68% enchancment in throughput for the 2xlarge occasion and a 56% enchancment for the 16xlarge occasion.

Value-performance ratio comparability

This metric combines an occasion’s efficiency capabilities with its month-to-month value to find out the worth (efficiency) you obtain for every greenback invested. We calculated this ratio utilizing HammerDB NOPM divided by the occasion’s on-demand month-to-month worth on the US West (Oregon) AWS Area. The next ratio signifies higher worth to your funding, since you’re reaching extra database transactions per greenback.

This measurement is especially helpful when planning infrastructure prices as a result of it helps you:

  • Optimize your operational bills whereas sustaining required efficiency ranges.
  • Make data-driven selections about occasion sort and dimension.
  • Stability efficiency necessities with price range planning.

The next charts present that by upgrading Aurora PostgreSQL I/O-Optimized from db.r6g cases to db.r8gd cases with Optimized Reads, you possibly can obtain a 120% enchancment in price-performance ratio for the 2xlarge occasion and a 96% enchancment for the 16xlarge occasion.

The next charts present that by upgrading Aurora PostgreSQL I/O-Optimized with Optimized Reads on db.r6gd cases to db.r8gd cases, you possibly can obtain a 68% enchancment in price-performance ratio for the 2xlarge occasion and a 56% enchancment for the 16xlarge occasion.

Response time comparability

Sustaining low, constant 99th percentile (p99) response time is vital in high-performance environments. The p99 represents the response time by which 99% of the transactions are full. HammerDB response time measures how lengthy it takes for the database and utility to course of and reply to a brand new order transaction within the TPROC-C workload.

The p99 metric particularly captures the efficiency of the 1% outlier. For instance, if 99 ecommerce transactions full in 200ms however one takes 20 seconds, the typical is 398ms and may be affordable, however p99 is over 19 seconds which may be problematic. Think about a peak gross sales season, this 1% problematic case may be tons of or 1000’s of customers who could abandon their purchases, impacting income and buyer expertise. Throughout these peak instances, p99 response time consistency can be vital as a result of it measures whether or not your worst-case efficiency stays predictable over time. A system with p99 response time that fluctuates between a couple of milliseconds to tons of of milliseconds continuously triggers a poor and inconsistent person expertise.

Aurora Optimized Reads-enabled tiered cache addresses these points by decreasing IO, storage community, and CPU utilization via bigger native caching, offering sub-millisecond learn latency and bettering p99 consistency.

The next charts present that by upgrading Aurora PostgreSQL I/O-Optimized from db.r6g cases to db.r8gd cases with Optimized Reads, you possibly can enhance the p99 response time by 80% for the 2xlarge occasion and by 77% for the 16xlarge occasion.

The db.r8gd maintains decrease response time with superior consistency leading to extra predictable question execution instances and improved efficiency variability. The next chart exhibits a snippet of HammerDB response time (p99) over time with decrease fluctuation.

The next charts present that by upgrading Aurora PostgreSQL I/O-Optimized with Optimized Reads on db.r6gd cases to db.r8gd cases, you possibly can enhance the p99 response time by 42% for the 2xlarge occasion and by 25% for the 16xlarge occasion.

The next chart exhibits a snippet of HammerDB response time (p99) over time.

Allow Aurora Optimized Reads with tiered cache

After understanding the efficiency advantages of Aurora PostgreSQL I/O-Optimized with Optimized Reads on db.r8gd cases, let’s stroll via how you can begin utilizing Aurora Optimized Reads-enabled tiered cache.

For brand spanking new deployments

You’ll be able to create an Aurora PostgreSQL cluster utilizing the Amazon RDS Console or AWS CLI or RDS API with I/O-Optimized storage and use the Optimized Reads occasion class (db.r8gd), which signifies the occasion offers native NVMe SSD storage.

For current clusters

For current Aurora PostgreSQL clusters, you possibly can improve to db.r8gd cases via an occasion class modification with minimal downtime by utilizing Aurora excessive availability options with the next choices:

To disable the Optimized Reads-enabled tiered cache, modify your occasion to a sort with out native NVMe SSD storage. For extra data, see Efficiency and scaling for Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL.

Aurora PostgreSQL I/O-Optimized with an Optimized Reads-enabled tiered cache on db.r8gd is out there for Aurora PostgreSQL model 17.4 and better, 16.3 and better, 15.7 and better, 14.12 and better, in AWS Areas the place Optimized Reads occasion lessons are supported. For extra data, see Amazon Aurora DB occasion lessons.

Conclusion

On this put up, we shared the efficiency, price-performance ratio, and utility response time enhancements of Aurora PostgreSQL 17.5 with Optimized Reads-enabled tiered cache utilizing the R8gd occasion. We additionally shared the options and enhancements provided within the Aurora PostgreSQL 17 main, 17.4 minor and 17.5 minor variations.

The outcomes present that R8gd cases with Aurora PostgreSQL 17.5 can supply substantial enhancements as much as 165% increased throughput, as much as 120% higher price-performance ratio and as much as 80% enchancment in utility response time, whereas additionally offering as much as 256 TiB of space for storing and suppleness of non permanent objects storage dimension changes with out cluster restart.

The mixture of Graviton4-based processors and Aurora PostgreSQL-Suitable with Optimized Reads-enabled tiered cache offers a compelling choice for optimizing database efficiency and question latency for organizations working intensive learn and write workloads like internet-scale functions, generative AI functions with pgvector, ecommerce, real-time analytics, monetary transactions and billing.

To start utilizing the Aurora PostgreSQL Optimized Reads-enabled tiered cache with Graviton4-based R8gd, create a brand new Aurora PostgreSQL cluster or modify an current cluster via the Amazon RDS Console, AWS CLI, or Amazon RDS API. Choose an occasion sort with native NVMe SSD storage and configure I/O-Optimized storage. For extra data, see Bettering question efficiency for Aurora PostgreSQL with Aurora Optimized Reads.


In regards to the authors

Luiz Verona

Luiz Verona

Luiz is a Senior Benchmarking Engineer at AWS, with over 15 years of expertise in relational databases supporting high-scale workloads. He focuses on database benchmarking, driving enhancements within the efficiency and reliability of Amazon RDS. Outdoors of labor, Luiz enjoys spending high quality time along with his household and interesting in outside actions resembling climbing, biking, strolling, working, and chilly sea baths.

Sunil Kamath

Sunil Kamath

Sunil is the pinnacle of engineering for Amazon Aurora database efficiency and PostgreSQL engine improvement. His staff drives the efficiency and scalability constitution of Amazon Aurora database and Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL serverless and engine options. Sunil has over 24 years of expertise in databases and has beforehand labored at Microsoft and IBM. He earned an MS in Laptop Science on the College of Alberta, Canada.

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