# Non-Graviton RDS instance on eligible workload Canonical: https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/inefficiencies/non-graviton-rds-instance-on-eligible-workload Many RDS workloads continue to run on older x86 instance types (e.g., db.m5, db.r5) even though compatible Graviton-based options (e.g., db.m6g,... By: Loïc Fournier Updated: 2026-09-28 [Cloud Efficiency Hub](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub) # Non-Graviton RDS Instance on Eligible Workload The short version Many RDS workloads continue to run on older x86 instance types (e.g., db.m5, db.r5) even though compatible Graviton-based options (e.g., db.m6g, db.r6g) are widely available. [Loïc Fournier](https://www.linkedin.com/in/loicfournier/) Senior TAM @ Amazon Web Services AWS service [AWS RDS](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/cloud-services/aws-rds) Category [Databases](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/service-category/databases) Reference CER-0119 Type Suboptimal Tier or SKU ## Explanation Why the waste happens and who it affects. These newer families deliver improved performance per vCPU and lower hourly costs, yet are often not adopted due to legacy defaults, inertia, or lack of awareness.When workloads are not tightly bound to architecture-specific extensions (e.g., x86-specific binaries or drivers), switching to Graviton typically requires no application changes and results in immediate savings. Persisting with x86 in eligible use cases results in avoidable overpayment for compute. ## Billing model The pricing dimensions that drive this cost. RDS is billed per second, with a 10-minute minimum after a billable status change, based on: - Instance family and size - Storage and backup usage Graviton-based instances offer 20-40% better price-performance and can lower compute costs significantly for compatible workloads. ## How to detect 4 checks to find it in your estate. - List all active RDS for MySQL, MariaDB, and PostgreSQL instances and identify those using x86-based families (db.m5, db.r5, etc.) - RDS for SQL Server, Oracle, and Db2 do not support Graviton instance classes - Cross-reference instance types with available Graviton equivalents for the same engine - Use Compute Optimizer (where available) or performance data to validate compatibility - Identify workloads with steady, general-purpose usage patterns that would benefit from Graviton ## How to fix 4 ways to remove the waste. - Evaluate performance requirements and test Graviton-backed RDS instances in staging - Modify instance class to a db.\*g Graviton-based equivalent (e.g., db.r6g.large) - Update infrastructure templates (e.g., Terraform, CloudFormation) to default to Graviton where applicable - Revisit instance family selections during each modernization, upgrade, or cost review cycle ## Documentation Vendor references for pricing and configuration. - [Supported DB engines for DB instance classes - Amazon RDS docs.aws.amazon.com](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AmazonRDS/latest/UserGuide/Concepts.DBInstanceClass.Support.html) - [What is AWS Compute Optimizer? docs.aws.amazon.com](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/compute-optimizer/latest/ug/what-is-compute-optimizer.html) ## Related inefficiencies [Browse the library](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub) - AWS RDS CER-0323 ### [RDS SQL Server Running Bundled Licensing on Older Instance Families](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/inefficiencies/rds-sql-server-running-bundled-licensing-on-older-instance-families) Amazon RDS for SQL Server has traditionally used a License Included model where the SQL Server license cost is bundled into a single hourly instance price alongside Windows OS licensing, compute resources, and RDS management capabilities.... Databases - AWS RDS CER-0322 ### [Non-Production RDS SQL Server Using Standard or Enterprise Edition Instead of Developer Edition](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/inefficiencies/non-production-rds-sql-server-using-standard-or-enterprise-edition-instead-of-developer-edition) Amazon RDS for SQL Server uses a License Included pricing model where the hourly instance rate bundles Microsoft SQL Server licensing fees on a per-vCPU basis. When non-production workloads - such as development, testing, staging, QA, or... Databases - AWS RDS CER-0320 ### [Excess vCPU Licensing Costs on RDS for SQL Server Instances](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/inefficiencies/excess-vcpu-licensing-costs-on-rds-for-sql-server-instances) Amazon RDS for SQL Server uses a License Included pricing model where SQL Server and Windows OS licensing costs are bundled into the per-instance-hour rate - and those licensing costs scale directly with the number of vCPUs on the... Databases --- Source: the public page above. Product screenshots and illustrative interfaces are examples, not live customer data.