allocating multiple vCPUs -- single-core or multi-core??

[tlyczko]

Say I'm allocating multiple vCPU to a Windows guest VM.

Is it better to allocate 4 single-core vCPU or two dual-core vCPU??
How does one decide??
Does it even make any difference?? -- and if so, which is the better way to do it??

I know CPU can be the most difficult resource to max out within a small vSphere cluster of 2-3 hosts and that memory is the most important resource.
Thank you, Tom

[weinstein5]

The big driving will be how the application software you are planning to install is licensed is licensed - if it is licensed by CPU than you will a CPU with mutiple cores - if  this  not a concern that if does not make a difference to the VM or to vSphere

[npadmani]

what's your physical hardware configuration?

How many sockets and how many cores per socket do you have?

[tlyczko]

In one cluster, three hosts have 2 quad-core CPUs apiece.

In the other cluster, two hosts have 2 six-core CPUs apiece.

Neither cluster's VMs are overtaxing the CPUs, so far as I can see.

All the Windows guests are Win2k8 R2 or Win2k12 R2 Datacenter.

So they are all licensed for at least 4 vCPU, I have not checked whether or not one can go higher than 4 vCPU.

I do not think it makes any difference, but I am not a vSphere expert by any means and I hope one or more experts will notice my question.

Thank you, Tom

[weinstein5 · Accepted solution]

with what you are running it will not make a difference whether you run 4 single vcpu, 2 dual core vcpu or a single quad core vcpu - all will perform exactly the same -

[tlyczko]

That's what I thought -- but it never hurts to ask.

Thank you, Tom