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Unlocking Performance: Amazon EC2 R9g and R9gd Instances with Graviton5 Processors

5 min read AWS BlogAug 31, 2026Reviewed for accuracy
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PractitionerHands-on experience recommended

The introduction of Amazon EC2 R9g and R9gd instances marks a pivotal moment for memory-optimized workloads. These instances leverage the advanced capabilities of Graviton5 processors, which provide up to 25% higher compute performance per vCPU compared to Graviton4-based R8g instances. This enhancement is crucial for applications that require high throughput and low latency, making R9g and R9gd ideal for demanding tasks such as in-memory databases and real-time analytics.

R9g and R9gd instances operate on the AWS Nitro System, which offloads virtualization, storage, and networking to dedicated hardware. This setup ensures near-bare-metal performance while maintaining robust security isolation between instances. Additionally, they support Instance Bandwidth Configuration (IBC), allowing you to fine-tune the allocation of bandwidth between Amazon EBS and Amazon VPC networking by 25%. This flexibility is essential for optimizing performance based on specific workload requirements.

In production, the R9g and R9gd instances are compatible with several major Linux distributions, including Amazon Linux 2023 and Ubuntu 22.04+. When deploying these instances, be aware of the potential need for tuning based on your application's specific demands. The Nitro Isolation Engine (NIE) enhances security, but always consider your workload's characteristics to ensure you are leveraging the full capabilities of these instances effectively.

Key takeaways

  • Leverage R9g instances for up to 25% better compute performance compared to R8g instances.
  • Utilize R9gd instances for memory-intensive workloads requiring fast, low-latency local storage.
  • Configure Instance Bandwidth Configuration (IBC) to optimize bandwidth allocation between EBS and VPC networking.
  • Run R9g and R9gd instances on the AWS Nitro System for near-bare-metal performance with strong security isolation.
  • Ensure compatibility with major Linux distributions like Amazon Linux 2023 and Ubuntu 22.04+.

Why it matters

These instances provide a significant performance boost for memory-intensive applications, directly impacting throughput and latency. This can lead to improved user experiences and reduced operational costs in production environments.

When NOT to use this

The official docs don't call out specific anti-patterns here. Use your judgment based on your scale and requirements.

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