A system and method for managing input output queue pairs. In some embodiments, the method includes calculating a system utilization ratio, the system utilization ratio being a ratio of: an arrival rate of input output requests, to a service rate; determining whether: the system utilization ratio has exceeded a first threshold utilization during a time period exceeding a first threshold length, and adding a new queue pair is expected to improve system performance; and in response to determining: that the system utilization ratio has exceeded the first threshold utilization during a time period exceeding the first threshold length, and that adding a new queue pair is expected to improve system performance: adding a new queue pair.