ESXi host reporting over 100% CPU usage

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

• ESXi shows the Consumed CPU % over 100%
  
• esxtop CPU usage is under 100%
• In the Hosts bios, Turbo boost is enabled. 
• The output from the "esxcfg-info -a" file confirms that the disableTurbo parameter is set to false. 

  esxcfg-info  -a | grep  disableTurbo -A 4
            |----Option Name........................................disableTurbo
            |----Configured Value...................................false 
            |----Runtime Value......................................false
            |----Default Value......................................false

• ESXi boot logs show Turbo is enabled.  

  zcat var/run/log/boot.gz | grep Turbo
  TSC: 872988 cpu0:1)BootConfig: 783: disableTurbo = FALSE (0)
  0:00:00:00.001 cpu0:1)CPUIntel: 792: Turbo Mode enabled by the BIOS

Environment

VMware vSphere 8.x

Cause

vSphere Client measures CPU usage at base frequency. In vSphere 8.0 U3 and later, if CPUs use turbo boost to meet workload demand, the vSphere Client shows usage over 100%.
esxtop Measures scheduled CPU cycles and reports a percentage. 

Resolution

This is due to a behavior change introduced in vSphere 8.0 U3 in the UI, where it displays the actual Consumed CPU % rather than capping it at 100.

Additional Information

Performance Charts do not limit percent values to 100%.