# Databricks compute optimization | Cloud Efficiency Hub Canonical: https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/cloud-services/databricks-compute 5 documented Databricks Compute cost inefficiencies, each with how to detect it and how to fix it. [Cloud Efficiency Hub](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub) # Databricks Compute 5 documented Databricks Compute cost inefficiencies, each with how to detect it and how to fix it. ## 5 inefficiencies [All services](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub#browse-by-service) - Databricks Compute CER-0189 ### [Lack of Workload-Specific Cluster Segmentation](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/inefficiencies/lack-of-workload-specific-cluster-segmentation) Running varied workload types (e.g., ETL pipelines, ML training, SQL dashboards) on the same cluster introduces inefficiencies. Each workload has different runtime characteristics, scaling needs, and performance sensitivities. When mixed... Compute - Databricks Compute CER-0222 ### [Poorly Configured Autoscaling on Databricks Clusters](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/inefficiencies/poorly-configured-autoscaling-on-databricks-clusters) Autoscaling is a core mechanism for aligning compute supply with workload demand, yet it's often underutilized or misconfigured. In older clusters or ad-hoc environments, autoscaling may be disabled by default or set with tight min/max... Compute - Databricks Compute CER-0195 ### [Overuse of Photon in Non-Production Workloads](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/inefficiencies/overuse-of-photon-in-non-production-workloads) Photon is frequently enabled by default across Databricks workspaces, including for development, testing, and low-concurrency workloads. In these non-production contexts, job runtimes are typically shorter, SLAs are relaxed or nonexistent,... Compute - Databricks Compute CER-0523 ### [Idle Instances Retained in Databricks Instance Pools](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/inefficiencies/idle-instances-retained-in-databricks-instance-pools) Databricks instance pools keep a set of ready cloud instances so classic clusters can start and scale faster. While an instance sits idle in a pool, Databricks charges no DBUs for it, but the cloud provider still bills the virtual machine.... Compute - Databricks Compute CER-0530 ### [Outdated Databricks Runtime Versions on Classic Compute](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/inefficiencies/outdated-databricks-runtime-versions-on-classic-compute) Every classic Databricks cluster, job cluster and pipeline runs a specific Databricks Runtime (DBR) version chosen when the compute is defined. Databricks releases runtimes on a regular cadence, and its cost-optimization best practices... Compute ## More Databricks services - [Databricks Clusters 7](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/cloud-services/databricks-clusters) - [Databricks SQL 4](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/cloud-services/databricks-sql) - [Databricks 3](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/cloud-services/databricks) - [Databricks Serverless Compute 2](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/cloud-services/databricks-serverless-compute) - [Databricks Workflows 2](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/cloud-services/databricks-workflows) - [Delta Lake 2](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/cloud-services/delta-lake) - [Interactive Clusters 1](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/cloud-services/interactive-clusters) - [Databricks Model Serving 1](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/cloud-services/databricks-model-serving) - [Databricks AI Search 1](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/cloud-services/databricks-ai-search) - [Databricks Lakeflow Pipelines 1](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/cloud-services/databricks-lakeflow-pipelines) --- Source: the public page above. Product screenshots and illustrative interfaces are examples, not live customer data.