AMD Opteron 2358 SE

The AMD Opteron 2358 SE is a server/workstation processor released on June 8, 2008, built on the Zen 3 architecture (as listed) with a 65 nm process node. It integrates 4 cores and 4 threads running at a fixed 2.40 GHz base clock, with a 119W TDP. The database places it at the 50th percentile of all CPUs, but its average benchmark score is 0, meaning no standardized performance results are recorded. This analysis relies solely on the supplied specifications to interpret its intended role and real-world behavior.

Who Should Consider It

The Opteron 2358 SE is explicitly positioned for the server and workstation market segment. Its configuration—4 cores, 4 threads, and a modest 2.4 GHz base clock—targets workloads that benefit from parallel execution across a limited number of threads, rather than tasks demanding high single-thread frequency. The presence of ECC memory support and a dual-channel DDR2 memory bus (10.7 GB/s bandwidth) reinforces its design for reliability and sustained operation in data-processing environments.

Users running virtualized instances, database transactions, or batch processing jobs that can be split across four threads will find the 2358 SE adequate, provided the workload does not exceed the memory bandwidth or cache capacity. The 2 MB shared L3 cache and 512 KB per-core L2 cache are small by later standards, but they are sufficient for moderately sized working sets. The lack of a boost clock means the processor runs at a constant 2.40 GHz under load, which simplifies thermal management but limits burst performance.

This chip is not suited for latency-sensitive single-threaded applications, such as high-frequency trading or interactive desktop use, because its base clock is fixed and there is no integrated graphics. The market segment is clearly server/workstation, so it should be considered only for headless or dedicated compute roles where four threads are the maximum parallelism required. For workloads that scale beyond four threads, a processor with more cores would be necessary, but the 2358 SE’s 50th percentile ranking indicates it sits in the middle of the performance distribution, meaning it is neither a top-tier nor a bottom-tier part.

How It Compares

The FACT PACK provides no nearest rivals for the Opteron 2358 SE, so a direct comparison against specific competing models is not possible from the data. Instead, its position can be gauged by the overall CPU percentile: the 50th percentile means it is exactly at the median of all processors in the database. This implies that, based on the aggregate of all recorded CPUs, the 2358 SE performs at an average level. The average benchmark score of 0 further indicates that no concrete performance measurements are available, so any comparison must rely on architectural specifications.

Within the server/workstation segment, the 4-core/4-thread design with a 2.4 GHz base clock places it in a lower tier compared to processors with higher core counts or faster clocks. However, the 119W TDP and 65 nm process node suggest a balanced power envelope for its era. Without rival data, we cannot assert whether it outperforms or lags behind specific alternatives; the only quantitative anchor is the 50th percentile, which signals an average standing.

Benchmark Performance

The database lists an average benchmark score of 0 for the Opteron 2358 SE, meaning no standardized performance tests have been recorded. Consequently, all performance analysis must be inferred from the provided specifications. The processor has 4 cores and 4 threads, with no simultaneous multithreading, so it can execute exactly four threads concurrently. Its base clock is 2.40 GHz, and there is no boost clock, so the operating frequency is constant.

Memory bandwidth is 10.7 GB/s over a dual-channel DDR2 interface. This figure is modest; for memory-intensive workloads, the bandwidth could become a bottleneck, especially when all four cores are active. The cache hierarchy consists of 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 2 MB shared L3. The relatively small L3 cache means that data shared across cores must be fetched from memory more often, which can degrade performance in multi-threaded scenarios that exhibit high cache thrashing.

Given these numbers, the 2358 SE is likely to deliver predictable, moderate throughput for integer-heavy parallel tasks that fit within the cache and memory limits. Floating-point performance is not specified, but the Zen 3 architecture (as stated) typically handles such workloads competently. The absence of a boost clock eliminates any short-term turbo advantage, so sustained performance equals peak performance. The 50th percentile ranking suggests that, compared to all CPUs, this processor is neither a laggard nor a leader—it is an average performer in the context of the entire database.

FAQ

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Opteron 2358 SE?

A: The launch MSRP is $873.

Q: How many cores and threads does it have?

A: It has 4 cores and 4 threads, with no simultaneous multithreading.

Q: What is the TDP and what cooling does it require?

A: The TDP is 119W. This implies a cooling solution capable of dissipating that amount of heat, typical for a server/workstation air cooler or a low-end liquid cooler.

Q: Does it support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory support is listed as true.

Q: What socket does it use?

A: It uses AMD Socket Fr2.

Q: What is the process node and die size?

A: The process node is 65 nm, and the die size is 285 mm², with 463 million transistors.

Power and Thermals

The Opteron 2358 SE has a TDP of 119W, which places it in a moderate power class for a server processor. The 65 nm manufacturing process results in a die size of 285 mm² and 463 million transistors, indicating a relatively large chip for its era. The constant 2.40 GHz base clock means that power consumption is steady under full load, simplifying thermal design. A 119W TDP typically requires a robust air cooler with a 92mm or larger fan, or a small liquid cooler, to maintain safe operating temperatures in a server chassis. The lack of a boost clock eliminates transient power spikes, so the cooling solution can be sized for sustained load rather than burst performance.

The production status is end-of-life, meaning the processor is no longer manufactured. Users must rely on existing stock or used units. The 65 nm process node, while old by current standards, is consistent with the 2008 release date. For a server environment where uptime is critical, the 119W TDP is manageable with standard server cooling infrastructure, and the ECC memory support helps ensure data integrity under stress.

Platform and Compatibility

The Opteron 2358 SE is designed for the AMD Socket Fr2, which is a server-specific socket. Memory support is DDR2, with the exact type depending on the motherboard—the FACT PACK states "DDR2, Depends on motherboard." The memory bus is dual-channel, providing a theoretical bandwidth of 10.7 GB/s. ECC memory is supported, which is essential for error-correcting in server workloads. No PCIe information is provided, so the expansion capabilities are unknown from the data. The processor has an unlocked multiplier? No—multiplierUnlocked is false, so overclocking is not possible.

As an end-of-life product, the upgrade path is limited to the lifespan of the motherboard and memory. Users cannot upgrade to a newer generation on the same socket, as the socket is specific to this platform. The architecture is listed as Zen 3, but the codename "Barcelona" and the 2008 release date suggest a K10-era design; however, the FACT PACK explicitly says "Zen 3," so we adhere to that. Compatibility is therefore constrained to motherboards that support Socket Fr2 and DDR2 memory, which are no longer in production.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Opteron 2358 SE has 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning each core handles exactly one thread. There is no simultaneous multithreading (SMT), so the processor can execute a maximum of four threads concurrently. The base clock is fixed at 2.40 GHz, with no boost capability, so single-thread performance is constant and equal to the base clock. This is a disadvantage for workloads that rely on a single high-speed core, as the 2.4 GHz frequency is moderate.

Multi-thread performance scales linearly with core count for parallel tasks, but the memory bandwidth of 10.7 GB/s and the 2 MB shared L3 cache can become limiting factors. When all four cores are active, they share the L3 cache and the memory controller, potentially causing contention. The per-core L2 cache of 512 KB is private, which helps reduce cross-core traffic. For workloads that are well-parallelized and have low memory traffic, the 2358 SE can deliver near-linear speedup from 1 to 4 threads. However, for memory-intensive parallel workloads, the limited bandwidth will cap performance.

The 50th percentile ranking suggests that, in the broader CPU landscape, this processor’s combined single- and multi-thread capabilities place it at the median. In practice, it is best suited for multi-threaded server tasks that do not require high per-thread performance, such as web serving, file serving, or light database workloads. Single-threaded applications will not benefit from the extra cores, and the fixed 2.4 GHz clock means they will run at a moderate pace. The absence of a boost clock eliminates any transient single-thread speedup, so users should not expect burst performance beyond the base frequency.