AMD Opteron 140 EE

The AMD Opteron 140 EE is a single-core server/workstation processor built on the K8 SledgeHammer architecture, released in February 2004. It runs at a fixed 1.40 GHz base clock, carries a 30 W TDP, and occupies the 50th percentile of all CPUs tracked in this database. No benchmark scores are recorded for this part, so its performance character must be inferred from its architectural specifications, its percentile placement, and the context of its era.

Benchmark Performance

The database lists no benchmark entries for the Opteron 140 EE, and the aggregate benchmark score is zero. This absence of measured results means the processor cannot be positioned against specific rivals through score deltas. However, the percentile field places it at exactly the 50th percentile of all CPUs in the database. That median position indicates that, among the broad population of processors tracked here, half are faster and half are slower. In absolute terms, a 50th percentile rank is unremarkable; it suggests a middle-of-the-road performance level when compared against the entire historical and modern CPU landscape. For a processor released in 2004 with a single core and a 1.40 GHz clock, that placement is consistent with its modest design goals. The 1 MB L2 cache is generous for a single-core part and likely helps mitigate the low clock speed in cache-sensitive workloads, but the absence of a boost clock means performance is entirely fixed at the base frequency. Without benchmark data, any quantitative comparison to rivals is impossible, but the percentile alone signals that this is not a high-performance part by contemporary or even mid-2000s standards. It is a low-power, low-throughput server chip, and its median percentile reflects that positioning.

Power and Thermals

The Opteron 140 EE has a TDP of 30 W, which is exceptionally low for a server-class processor of its generation. This 30 W figure places it in the low-power tier, far below typical server CPUs of the early 2000s, which often consumed 80 W or more. The low TDP directly implies that a modest cooling solution suffices; a simple passive heatsink or a low-profile active cooler would be adequate to maintain safe operating temperatures. The 130 nm process node, combined with a die size of 193 mm² and 106 million transistors, contributes to this efficiency. The SledgeHammer core was designed for scalability, and the "EE" suffix likely indicates an energy-efficient variant, though the fact pack does not explicitly state that designation. The 30 W TDP also suggests lower operating costs and reduced heat output in dense server environments, making it suitable for applications where thermal headroom is limited. However, the low power envelope comes at the cost of raw performance, as the 1.40 GHz clock and single core limit throughput. The thermal characteristics are therefore a trade-off: the processor is easy to cool and power-friendly, but it cannot sustain heavy computational loads without becoming a bottleneck.

Who Should Consider It

Given its single core, single thread, and 1.40 GHz base clock, the Opteron 140 EE is suited only for very light server workloads or legacy systems. It would handle basic file serving, print serving, or simple network services where the bottleneck is not CPU-bound. The 1 MB L2 cache provides a reasonable buffer for small working sets, but the lack of a boost clock and the low frequency mean that any compute-intensive task would be severely limited. For office-style applications, word processing, spreadsheets, email, the processor could technically run them, but the performance would be inadequate for modern software. Its market segment is explicitly "Server/Workstation," so it is not intended for desktop use. The processor is end-of-life, so it is only relevant for retrofitting old Socket 940 boards or for hobbyists maintaining legacy systems. Anyone requiring even modest multi-threaded performance would need a different part, as this CPU has no hyper-threading or multi-core capability. The 50th percentile rank confirms that it is not a performance outlier in any direction; it is a dependable, low-power workhorse for undemanding tasks. For those with a specific need for a low-TDP, single-core server processor in a legacy platform, the Opteron 140 EE offers a stable and predictable option.

How It Compares

The fact pack lists no nearest rivals for the Opteron 140 EE, so no direct percentage deltas or score comparisons can be provided. In the absence of rival data, the only quantitative anchor is the 50th percentile rank. This median position implies that the processor sits exactly in the middle of the database's CPU population, meaning it is neither a standout performer nor a laggard. Without specific rival names or scores, a more granular comparison is impossible. However, the architectural context suggests that its closest contemporaries would be other single-core K8 Opterons from the same generation, but those are not listed. The lack of rival data is a notable gap; it prevents any validation of the processor's relative standing beyond the percentile. The data indicates that the Opteron 140 EE is a median performer, but whether that median is skewed by the database's inclusion of many modern high-core-count CPUs or by a balanced historical set is unknown. The percentile is a blunt instrument, but it is the only comparative metric available.

Platform and Compatibility

The Opteron 140 EE uses AMD Socket 940, a server-oriented socket that was introduced with the original Opteron line. The processor supports dual-channel memory, though the fact pack does not specify the memory type (e.g., DDR or DDR2). ECC memory is not supported, which is a notable limitation for a server part; ECC is often a requirement in reliability-focused environments, and its absence narrows the use cases to less critical applications. The platform includes PCIe Gen 2 support, which is an interesting detail given the processor's 2004 release date; PCIe 2.0 was not standardized until 2007, so this may indicate a later revision or a forward-compatible feature, but the fact pack simply lists "Gen 2" without further context. The processor is built on the 130 nm process with a 193 mm² die, and it has 106 million transistors. As an end-of-life product, the upgrade path is limited to other Socket 940 processors from the same generation, but no specific compatible models are listed in the fact pack. The socket itself is legacy, so modern motherboards do not support it. For anyone building or maintaining a system around this CPU, the platform is fixed and non-expandable in terms of CPU upgrades beyond the initial choice. The lack of ECC support further reduces its appeal in a server context, where data integrity is paramount. Overall, the platform is a closed ecosystem that is only relevant for vintage or specialized applications.