AMD Opteron 242

The AMD Opteron 242 is a single-core server processor built on the K8 architecture, codenamed Troy, and released on 2004-11-30. It runs at a base clock of 1600.00 MHz with no boost clock, and its 85 W TDP places it in a moderate power class for a server part of its generation. The FACT PACK contains no recorded benchmark scores for this end-of-life processor, and its percentile ranking among all CPUs is 50, exactly the midpoint.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark database lists no entries for the Opteron 242; the avgBenchmarkScore field is 0. This absence of data is itself a finding: the part has either never been subjected to the database's standardized workload suite, or it was retired before such testing captured it. The percentile vs all CPUs of 50 suggests that, within the historical population of processors in the database, this chip sits at the median. However, that percentile is not accompanied by any actual score, so it cannot be decomposed into single-thread or multi-thread components. Without nearestRivals data, there are no deltaPct values to cite, and no rival names or scores to compare against.

What remains is the raw specification: a single core at 1600.00 MHz, 128 KB of L1 cache, 1 MB of L2 cache, and no L3 cache. In the K8 architecture, the 1600.00 MHz clock is a conservative operating point for the 90 nm process node. The 106 million transistor count is modest, and the 1 MB L2 is the largest cache tier present. The lack of a boost clock means the processor never exceeds its base frequency, so peak performance equals sustained performance. For a server part, the absence of benchmark data is unusual but consistent with a product that was end-of-life before modern benchmarking methodologies were standardized. The percentile of 50, in the absence of any measured score, is best interpreted as a placeholder rather than a performance verdict.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

With exactly 1 core and 1 thread, the Opteron 242 has no multi-threading capability whatsoever. There is no SMT, no second thread per core, and no boost clock to raise frequency under transient load. The single-thread vs multi-thread distinction is therefore trivial: every instruction stream is serialized through one execution core at 1600.00 MHz. The dual-channel memory bus is the only memory-related specification provided; no memory type or speed is listed.

For real workloads, the implications are clear. Any parallel application — a modern database server, a compilation job, a rendering task — will use only one thread, and the 1600.00 MHz clock will limit throughput. The 1 MB L2 cache, however, is a meaningful asset for single-threaded code with good locality, as it reduces the frequency of main-memory accesses. The K8 architecture's integrated memory controller, while not explicitly stated in the FACT PACK, is a known characteristic of the generation, and the dual-channel bus provides adequate bandwidth for a single core. The practical workload profile is limited to serial tasks such as lightweight administrative scripts, single-user database queries, or legacy application servers that predate multi-core scaling.

Power and Thermals

The TDP is 85 W. For a 90 nm processor with 106 million transistors, this is a moderate power envelope. An 85 W class part requires a capable air cooler, though no specific cooler dimensions or thermal solution details are recorded in the FACT PACK. The 90 nm process node reflects the manufacturing technology of its release era, and the transistor count is modest by later standards. The thermal design is straightforward: a standard server heatsink with adequate chassis airflow will manage the 85 W load.

The end-of-life status suggests that thermal behavior is well characterized, and the 85 W envelope is not extreme for a server/workstation part. The absence of a boost clock means the processor does not experience transient power spikes from frequency ramping, so the 85 W figure represents a steady-state load. The locked multiplier further ensures that power draw cannot be increased via overclocking. For system builders, the 85 W TDP implies a cooling tier comparable to other mid-range server processors of the same era, though no direct comparisons are available in the FACT PACK.

Platform and Compatibility

The Opteron 242 uses AMD Socket 940, a socket specific to the first-generation Opteron line. The memory bus is dual-channel, though no memory type or speed is specified. ECC memory is not supported, as indicated by the eccMemory field being false. PCIe is listed as Gen 2, which is notable because the K8 generation originally shipped with AGP and early PCIe revisions; the Gen 2 designation may reflect a later revision of the platform or a forward-compatible listing.

The market segment is Server/Workstation, and the production status is End-of-life. The release date is 2004-11-30, and the part number is OSA242FAA5BL. The architecture is K8, codename Troy, generation Opteron (Troy (E4)). The socket 940 platform is a predecessor to later AMD sockets, so the upgrade path is limited to other socket 940 Opteron parts, which are themselves end-of-life. There is no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is required for any display output, though this is expected for a server part. The multiplier is locked, meaning the processor cannot be overclocked. The lack of ECC support is a notable limitation for a server-class product, as error-correcting memory is often a requirement in reliability-sensitive deployments.

How It Compares

The FACT PACK contains no nearestRivals data for the Opteron 242. There are no rival names, no scores, and no deltaPct values to reference. In the absence of comparative data, the part's position must be inferred from its percentile of 50 among all CPUs in the database. This median placement indicates that, within the database's historical population, the Opteron 242 sits exactly at the halfway point — neither a standout performer nor a bottom-tier part.

Without rival data, no percentage deltas can be computed, and no direct comparisons can be drawn. The database's silence on rivals is consistent with the part's end-of-life status and the absence of recorded benchmarks. The only quantitative anchor is the percentile of 50, which suggests a middling historical position. For a single-core 1600.00 MHz processor, this median placement is plausible: it would outperform earlier server chips but lag behind the multi-core and higher-clock parts that followed. However, without rival entries, this remains inference rather than measured comparison.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the AMD Opteron 242 use?

A: It uses AMD Socket 940.

Q: How many cores and threads does the Opteron 242 have?

A: It has 1 core and 1 thread.

Q: What is the base clock speed?

A: The base clock is 1600.00 MHz, and there is no boost clock.

Q: Does the Opteron 242 support ECC memory?

A: No, the FACT PACK lists eccMemory as false.

Q: What is the TDP of this processor?

A: The TDP is 85 W.

Q: When was the Opteron 242 released?

A: It was released on 2004-11-30.

Q: What is the process node?

A: The process node is 90 nm.

Q: Does it have integrated graphics?

A: No, the integratedGraphics field is null.

Who Should Consider It

Given the single core and 1600.00 MHz base clock, the Opteron 242 is appropriate for legacy single-threaded server workloads. The 1 MB L2 cache provides a reasonable buffer for frequently accessed data, and the 85 W TDP means it can run in standard server chassis without exotic cooling. The dual-channel memory bus, while not specified in terms of supported memory types, is sufficient for the bandwidth demands of a single-core part. The market segment of Server/Workstation reinforces that this is not a consumer desktop chip.

Workloads that are inherently serial — such as basic scripting, light database lookups, or single-user administrative tasks — are the realistic use cases. For gaming or modern content creation, the single thread and lack of boost clock place it far behind any multi-core processor, though no rival scores exist to quantify the gap. The end-of-life status means it should only be considered for maintaining existing socket 940 systems, not for new builds. The absence of ECC support is a limitation for reliability-sensitive server deployments, though the part is still classified as a server/workstation product. The locked multiplier precludes overclocking, so performance is fixed at the 1600.00 MHz operating point. The percentile of 50 suggests it is a median performer in the database's historical context, which is reasonable for a part of this era. Any potential buyer should weigh the lack of recorded benchmark data and the end-of-life status against the simplicity of a single-core, fixed-clock design.