What is Graviton Pricing?

Graviton Pricing Essentials

Graviton Pricing adheres to the typical AWS EC2 pricing structure, which depends on various underlying variables:

• Instance Type
  Graviton Pricing is differentiated by instance family (i.e., M6g, C6g, R6g, etc.) and by the particular size within a family. Different workloads can utilize each instance type, impacting Graviton Pricing based on resource usage and performance requirements.
• Usage Time
  AWS EC2 instances running on Graviton are charged by the second with a minimum of 60 seconds. This pay-as-you-go model maintains Graviton Pricing aligned with usage, enabling cost control at a highly detailed level.
• Pricing Models
  Graviton Pricing offers several purchasing options:
• On-Demand: Pay for compute resources by the second or the hour with no up-front payments or long-term       commitments.

1. Spot Instances: Use idle EC2 capacity at significantly discounted rates but with the possibility of being interrupted.
2. Reserved Instances: Commit to one- or three-year terms for significant discounts over On-Demand pricing.
3. Savings Plans: Flexible pricing model with discounted rates in exchange for a commitment to use a quantity of usage over some time.

Considerations in Graviton Pricing

Several considerations impact Graviton Pricing, which include:

• Instance Family and Size: Larger and more workload-oriented ones have greater Graviton Pricing but provide slightly better performance for individual workloads.
• Region: Graviton Pricing can vary regionally within the AWS regions based on variations in infrastructure and demand.
• Billing Option: Spend Spot, Reserved, or Savings Plans can significantly affect Graviton Pricing and total cloud spend.
• Workload Optimization: Tuned compiler flags, operating system updates, and code optimization can offer maximum performance for Graviton instances, further adding value to Graviton Pricing.

Graviton Pricing in Managed Services

Graviton Pricing is not specific to EC2. AWS provides Graviton-based offerings in managed services such as Amazon Aurora, Amazon RDS, and Amazon EKS, enabling customers to derive the advantage of Graviton Pricing from their entire cloud stack.

Environmental Impact
Graviton Pricing even better demonstrates AWS's focus on sustainability. Graviton instances consume up to 60% less power than similar EC2 instances, saving cost and emissions.

Optimization Best Practices for Graviton Pricing

• Choose the Right Instance Type: Align your workload demands with the right Graviton instance type and size.
• Use Savings Plans and Reserved Instances: Lock into longer terms for consistent workloads to commit to lower Graviton Pricing.
• Track Usage with the Graviton Savings Dashboard: Periodically check savings and maximize resource utilization.
• Optimize Apps: Take advantage of ARM-optimized libraries and compiler flags to minimize per-dollar overhead in Graviton Pricing.

Conclusion

Graviton Pricing enables organizations to offer optimal price performance to their AWS workloads. By understanding what drives Graviton Pricing and applying best practices, companies can gain substantial cost savings, gain efficiency, and assist in reaching sustainability objectives. Running on-demand, spot, or reserved instances, Graviton Pricing provides flexibility and value for any cloud strategy.

Graviton Pricing FAQs

• Q1. What drives Graviton Pricing on AWS instances?
  Graviton Pricing depends on several factors: type and size of the instance (e.g., M6g, C7g, R7g, etc.), zone where the instance is hosted, operating system, billing option (On-Demand, Reserved Instances, or Spot Instances), other services consumed (e.g., EBS volumes, data transfer)
• Q2. Are Graviton instances always the most cost-effective choice for all workloads?
  No, Graviton instances are not the lowest-cost for every workload. While Graviton Pricing is lower, real cost savings would depend on workload compatibility and performance needs. Easily portable applications to the ARM architecture (such as containerized or open-source workloads) would typically see a 20-40% cost benefit. Highly specialized or legacy workloads, however, might require code updates or may not see similar cost benefits.
• Q3. How do I save the most with Graviton Pricing?
  To save the most with Graviton Pricing:
  1. Find compatible workloads with tools such as AWS Compute Optimizer.
  2. Benchmark and test performance before migrating production workloads.
  3. Use Reserved Instances or Savings Plans for frequent workloads to commit at lower rates.
  4. Use Spot Instances for flexible, fault-tolerant workloads to leverage even deeper discounts.
  5. Right-size resources and keep an eye on usage to avoid over-provisioning.
• Q4. Is Graviton Pricing available on AWS managed services other than EC2?
  Yes, Graviton Pricing is extended to various AWS managed services other than EC2. Amazon Aurora, Amazon RDS, and Amazon EKS, among others, have Graviton-based variants, so you can enjoy the same price-performance gains and cost savings in database and container workloads too.