What two parameters define the compute capacity of a cloud server?

The compute capacity of a cloud server is fundamentally defined by the CPU count and the amount of RAM. The CPU, or Central Processing Unit, is essential as it carries out computations and processes instructions, determining how much work the server can perform at any given time. More CPU cores allow for parallel processing, which can enhance performance, especially for multi-threaded applications.

RAM, or Random Access Memory, plays a critical role in how much data can be actively processed by the CPU at any moment. Sufficient RAM ensures that the server can hold the necessary data and instructions readily available for the CPU, preventing bottlenecks and improving overall efficiency.

In contrast, while network bandwidth and storage size are important aspects of cloud infrastructure, they are not direct measures of compute capacity. A powerful compute setup may still have limitations if network or storage resources are not sufficient, but these parameters alone do not encompass the processing capabilities of the server itself. Similarly, operating system specifications, disk access time, application types, and user loads relate to operational performance and efficiency but do not define compute capacity directly.