Latest CPU Generation is not on the EVC dropdown list

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

When running hardware using the latest CPU generation, that generation is not available as a dropdown for EVC enablement on the cluster:

Example:

AMD Epyc 9255 = AMD "Zen 5" Generation
Intel Xeon® Gold 6530 = Intel "Emerald Rapids" Generation

Environment

ESX
vCenter Server

Cause

The reason the dropdown is not available is because this hardware is currently the latest generation. Only previous generations will be visible which is used for masking the latest CPU features on newer processors. The latest generation will not be added until a newer generation of processors becomes available. I.E: AMD "Zen 6" Generation

Resolution

This is working as designed. If a cluster is utilizing only the latest generation of CPUs amongst the hosts, then EVC is not required. If the cluster has older CPU's on the host in the cluster, work to identify the oldest CPU so that the correct level can be set for EVC. 

Additional Information

VMware EVC and CPU Compatibility FAQ