Which processor architecture is recommended for use in a power-limited datacenter?

The recommendation for using ARM architecture in a power-limited datacenter is mainly due to its design focus on energy efficiency. ARM processors are built to consume less power compared to traditional x64 or x86 architectures while still delivering adequate performance for various workloads. This characteristic makes ARM especially well-suited for environments where power consumption is a critical concern, such as a power-limited datacenter.

In addition to power efficiency, ARM architecture often comes with a higher performance-per-watt ratio, allowing organizations to reduce energy costs and cooling requirements, which are significant factors in the overall operational expenses of running a datacenter. As a result, many modern cloud services and high-performance computing applications are beginning to adopt ARM architecture to leverage these benefits.

On the other hand, x64 and x86 architectures are generally known for their power-hungry performance, which can lead to increased energy costs in a power-limited setting. RISC architecture, while it can be efficient, is not as widely adopted in datacenter environments compared to ARM, making ARM the more favorable choice for this specific scenario.