Hasty Treat - What makes a server fast?

Feb 24, 2020

Discover how RAM optimizes web app performance, from managing memory to garbage collection. Uncover the critical role of CPUs in task execution and why speed matters. Learn about the power of GPUs beyond graphics, especially for complex tasks like machine learning and Bitcoin mining. Dive into the differences between SSDs and HDDs, and how faster storage impacts server efficiency. Plus, hear personal experiences with CPU performance and explore pricing strategies for superior server setups.

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INSIGHT

RAM Basics

Random Access Memory (RAM) stores data like variables and functions.
Chrome's memory consumption is high because each new tab/window uses a chunk of RAM.

ANECDOTE

Memory Limits

Wes Bos ran out of memory reading a million coupon codes into memory.
NPM install consumes significant memory storing downloaded files.

ADVICE

Database Hosting

Use purpose-built database hosting services like Atlas or MLab.
Hosting databases yourself can be resource-intensive.

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In this Hasty Treat, Scott and Wes talk about how to make servers fast!

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Show Notes

3:58 - Ram / Memory

Things like variables, functions, callstacks, application cache, sessions are all stored in memory
Large processes can eat up lots of memory
Reading 1,000,000 lines of a CSV
npm installing
Swap Memory
If your node application is limited by memory, it will crash or wait longer for memory to be freed up (garbage collection)
Garbage collection can take up CPU resourced
High-performance databases

7:52 - CPU

The processor on your server - the brains of the computer
A task - like 1 + 1, or function handleClick(), takes CPU time - the faster the processor, and the more cores it has, the faster it can think and perform these tasks
A faster CPU means your node app will start more quickly

9:26 - GPU

Most servers don’t have a GPU
GPUs are not only good for graphics, but they are great at solving complex tasks
Bitcoin mining is fast on a GPU
Machine Learning

11:47 - Disk Space

SSD vs HDD
The files have to be read from the hard drive and served up to the web server - the hard drive speed determines how fast they can be read, and how fast they can be written
SSD is more expensive but makes for a much faster application
HDD is cheaper and is better for storing larger files that aren’t as time-sensitive
An SSD will mean your node app will start faster and serve up files more quickly

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