11.8 Choosing Hardware for MySQL Use

MySQL can benefit from improvements to several subsystems of your hardware configuration. The following list describes the most important factors:

• Adding more memory allows larger buffers to be used. This improves caching so that disk activity can be minimized. The performance effect can be considerable because it's much faster to read information from memory than from disk. Adding memory also can reduce the amount of swapping the operating system needs to do.

• Use a 64-bit CPU rather than a 32-bit CPU. A 64-bit CPU allows certain mathematical (and other) functions to complete faster. It also allows MySQL to support larger internal cache sizes.

• Use a multiprocessor system. If MySQL uses kernel threads, it can take advantage of multiple processors.

• A faster main logic board (motherboard) improves general system throughput.

• With a faster network, the server can transfer information to clients faster. This lets the server process queries faster, reducing resource contention.

• Choose disks with better performance. Factors to consider in evaluating performance were discussed in section 11.7, "Configuring Disks for MySQL Use."