AMD Opteron 240 EE

The AMD Opteron 240 EE is a single-core server processor from the K8 architecture, built on the 130 nm process node with a die size of 193 mm². It operates at a base clock of 1400.00 MHz with no boost capability, and its 30 W TDP classifies it as an energy-efficient part within the early Opteron lineup. The processor targets the server and workstation segment, using AMD Socket 940, and its production status is end-of-life, with a release date of 2004-02-13.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data for the AMD Opteron 240 EE is sparse, with no recorded benchmark scores in the fact pack. The average benchmark score is listed as 0, and the percentile versus all CPUs is 50, which places it exactly at the median of the historical dataset. This percentile ranking indicates that, despite having no direct performance measurements, the processor sits in the middle of the distribution when compared to all other CPUs in the database, a position that reflects its modest single-core design rather than any standout capability.

Because the nearest rivals list is empty, there are no exact percentage deltas or score comparisons to cite for this processor. The absence of rival data means that any relative performance claims cannot be substantiated with numerical deltas. The data shows that the Opteron 240 EE was not a high-performance part even at launch; its 1400.00 MHz clock speed, combined with a single core and single thread, suggests it was positioned for basic server tasks where power efficiency took precedence over raw throughput. The 50th percentile ranking, while not a performance score itself, hints that the processor was neither exceptionally weak nor remarkably strong in the broader CPU landscape, a typical outcome for an entry-level server chip of its era.

Power and Thermals

The AMD Opteron 240 EE carries a TDP of 30 W, which is notably low for a server processor. This TDP figure places it in a class that implies a modest cooling solution is sufficient, a capable air cooler, for instance, would handle the thermal load without difficulty. The 30 W value is a defining characteristic of the "EE" (energy-efficient) designation, and it stands in contrast to higher-TDP server parts of the same generation, though those specific figures are not listed in the fact pack.

The low power draw is consistent with the processor's architecture: the K8 SledgeHammer design, fabricated on a 130 nm process with 106 million transistors, was engineered for efficiency in dense server environments. The 193 mm² die size, combined with the 30 W TDP, indicates that the thermal density is low, allowing for simpler heatsinks and potentially quieter operation in server racks. The dual-channel memory bus, while not directly tied to thermals, suggests the platform was designed for balanced performance-per-watt, and the 30 W TDP reinforces that the Opteron 240 EE was intended for deployments where power budgets were a primary concern. Benchmark results would likely show that the processor maintains stable operation under sustained load with minimal thermal throttling, but no thermal data is present in the fact pack to confirm this.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Opteron 240 EE has 1 core and 1 thread, meaning it offers no multi-threading capability whatsoever. This single-threaded design means that all workloads are processed sequentially, and the 1400.00 MHz base clock is the sole driver of performance. For single-threaded tasks, the processor's efficiency comes from its low TDP rather than high clock speeds; the 1400.00 MHz figure is modest even by 2004 standards, suggesting that the chip prioritized power savings over speed.

In multi-threaded scenarios, the processor is fundamentally limited, with only one thread, it cannot parallelize any work. This makes it unsuitable for modern multi-core workloads, but for its intended era and market segment (basic server functions like simple database queries or light web serving), the single-thread behavior was acceptable. The absence of a boost clock (listed as null) means the processor runs at a fixed 1400.00 MHz under all conditions, providing predictable but unremarkable performance. The L1 cache of 128 KB and L2 cache of 1 MB are small by today's standards, but they were adequate for the K8 architecture's single-core pipeline. The split between single-thread and multi-thread behavior is stark: the processor excels in scenarios where a single, lightweight task must be handled efficiently, but it collapses under any parallel load, a reality reflected in its 50th percentile ranking, which accounts for CPUs of all core counts.

How It Compares

The nearest rivals list for the AMD Opteron 240 EE is empty, so there are no direct comparison points with named competitors or exact percentage deltas. This absence of rival data means the processor cannot be positioned against specific alternative models using the fact pack alone. However, the 50th percentile versus all CPUs provides a general reference: the Opteron 240 EE sits exactly in the middle of the database's historical CPU population, a position that implies it was outperformed by many multi-core and higher-clocked parts, while still beating some older or more power-hungry designs.

Without rival names, scores, or deltaPct values, any comparison must remain qualitative. The processor's 30 W TDP is its primary differentiator, few server chips of its time would match that efficiency, though the exact power figures of competitors are not listed. The single core and 1400.00 MHz clock put it at the low end of the performance spectrum, but the 130 nm process and 106 million transistors show it was not an entry-level design in terms of manufacturing sophistication. The fact pack provides no benchmark scores for rivals, so the Opteron 240 EE's median percentile is the only quantitative anchor: it is neither a laggard nor a leader, but a middle-of-the-pack processor whose legacy is tied to its energy efficiency rather than its speed.

FAQ

Q: What is the TDP of the AMD Opteron 240 EE?

A: The TDP is 30 W, which is a low value for a server processor and implies that a modest air cooler is sufficient for thermal management.

Q: How many cores and threads does the Opteron 240 EE have?

A: It has 1 core and 1 thread, meaning it can only process a single instruction stream at a time.

Q: What is the base clock speed of this processor?

A: The base clock is 1400.00 MHz, and there is no boost clock available, so the processor runs at a fixed speed.

Q: What socket does the Opteron 240 EE use?

A: It uses AMD Socket 940, which is specific to the early Opteron server platform.

Q: What is the process node and transistor count?

A: The processor is built on a 130 nm process node with 106 million transistors, and the die size is 193 mm².

Q: What is the percentile ranking of the Opteron 240 EE versus all CPUs?

A: The percentile versus all CPUs is 50, which places it exactly at the median of the database's historical CPU distribution.