Stop Overpaying for GP2: GP3 Cost & Performance Explained
Source: Dev.to
Introduction
Most people still use GP2 as the default EBS volume type in launch templates and infrastructure modules—not because it is optimal today, but because it has been there for years. In many production audits, oversized GP2 volumes are one of the easiest cost optimizations left untouched.
GP2 Overview
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Performance model: size‑based.
IOPS = 3 × Volume Size (GB) -
Uses a token‑bucket mechanism and burst credits.
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Performance is proportional to storage size, coupling capacity and predictable performance.
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This approach worked when workloads were smaller and less sustained, but it now introduces unnecessary constraints.
GP3 Overview
GP3 removes the dependency between storage size and performance, allowing you to provision IOPS and throughput independently of volume capacity.
Cost Comparison
| Volume Type | Size | Cost per GB | Monthly Cost | Additional IOPS | IOPS Cost | Throughput Adjustment | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP2 | 2 TB | ~$0.10 | ≈ $200 | – | – | – | ≈ $200/month |
| GP3 | 500 GB | ~$0.08 | ≈ $40 | 3,000 IOPS | ~$0.005/IOPS → ≈ $15 | ≈ $5–10 | ≈ $60–65/month |
Operational Considerations
Migrating from GP2 to GP3 is straightforward.
Migration Example
aws ec2 modify-volume \
--volume-id vol-xxxxxxxx \
--volume-type gp3In most cases, GP2 ties performance to storage size and depends on burst credits. Choosing GP2 for new production systems therefore requires a clear justification.