# Underutilized or Overprovisioned AppStream Instances

Canonical: https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/inefficiencies/underutilized-or-overprovisioned-appstream-instances

[Cloud Efficiency Hub](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub) 

# Underutilized or Overprovisioned AppStream Instances

## Explanation

AppStream fleets often default to instance types designed for worst-case or peak usage scenarios, even when average workloads are significantly lighter. This leads to consistently low utilization of CPU, memory, or GPU resources and inflated infrastructure costs. By right-sizing AppStream instances based on actual workload needs, organizations can reduce spend without compromising user experience.

## Relevant Billing Model

AppStream 2.0 streaming instances are billed per hour based on the selected instance type, with higher-cost options providing more CPU, memory, and GPU resources. If instance types are overprovisioned relative to actual usage, customers pay for unused capacity, driving unnecessary spend.

## Detection

- Identify AppStream 2.0 fleets or stacks with consistently low CPU, memory, or GPU utilization over a representative period

- Review instance type specifications in relation to average and peak workload demands

- Conduct performance benchmarking or usage sampling for specific applications or user groups

- Check whether current instance types were selected based on assumption or inherited defaults rather than workload data

## Remediation

- Right-size AppStream fleets by selecting smaller or less specialized instance types that meet current workload demands

- Conduct performance testing after downgrading to ensure that application responsiveness and user experience are preserved

- Update provisioning templates or fleet configurations to reflect optimized instance types going forward

## Relevant Documentation

[Amazon AppStream 2.0 Fleet and Instance Types](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/appstream2/latest/developerguide/instance-types.html)

[Submit Feedback](https://hub.pointfive.co/inefficiencies/underutilized-or-overprovisioned-appstream-instances)

## At a glance

Reference

CER-0050

Cloud provider

AWS

Service

AWS AppStream 2.0

Category

[Compute](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/service-category/compute)

Inefficiency type

Underutilization

## Contributed by

- Jason DiDomenico 

### Jason DiDomenico

Director of FinOps @ Discover Financial Services

[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasondidomenico/)

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Source: the public page above. Product screenshots and illustrative interfaces are examples, not live customer data.