AMD Opteron 244

The AMD Opteron 244 is a single-core server/workstation processor from the K8 SledgeHammer generation, released on May 17, 2004. It operates at a base clock of 1.8 GHz with a 128 KB L1 cache and a 1 MB L2 cache. The chip is built on a 130 nm process with 106 million transistors and a die size of 193 mm². Its 82 W TDP and Socket 940 interface target early 64-bit server platforms. The database records no benchmark scores for this part, but its percentile rank of 50 places it exactly at the median of all CPUs tracked.

Platform and Compatibility

The Opteron 244 uses AMD Socket 940, a socket designed for the first-generation Opteron line. This socket supports dual-channel memory buses, though the memory type is not specified in the data. ECC memory is not supported, as indicated by the `eccMemory` field being false. The processor is based on the K8 architecture, codenamed SledgeHammer, and belongs to the Opteron (SledgeHammer (CG)) generation. The process node is 130 nm, with a transistor count of 106 million and a die size of 193 mm².

The PCIe interface is listed as Gen 2, which is notable for a processor released in 2004; however, the data does not specify the number of lanes or the exact implementation. The multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not possible. The part number is OSA244CEP5AU. Production status is end-of-life, meaning no active support or updates are expected. The upgrade path is limited to other Socket 940 processors from the same era, but the lack of ECC and the single-core design constrain its usefulness in modern server environments.

How It Compares

The database does not provide any nearest rival entries for the Opteron 244, so direct comparisons to specific competing processors are not available. Instead, the only positional metric is the `percentileVsAllCpus` value of 50, which indicates that this processor sits at the exact midpoint of all CPUs in the benchmark database. This means half of all tracked CPUs rank above it and half below it in overall performance. Without benchmark scores or rival deltas, no percentage differences can be calculated.

The average benchmark score is 0, and the benchmarks array is empty, confirming that no measured performance data exists for this part. Consequently, any attempt to quantify its performance against a named rival would be speculative. The percentile rank alone suggests a typical, unremarkable standing—neither a standout nor a laggard. For a single-core, single-threaded processor from 2004, this median position is consistent with its age and architecture, but the lack of concrete scores prevents a deeper quantitative assessment.

Power and Thermals

The Opteron 244 has a thermal design power (TDP) of 82 W. For a single-core processor running at 1.8 GHz on a 130 nm process, this TDP is relatively modest, though it is not trivial. The cooling requirement implied by an 82 W TDP is a capable air cooler—typically a heatsink with a fan—sufficient for a server chassis. The data does not provide any information about thermal throttling, maximum operating temperature, or power delivery specifications.

Given the end-of-life status and the era of the processor, the 82 W figure aligns with the power envelopes of early 64-bit server chips. The locked multiplier and lack of ECC support further indicate a conservative design focused on stability rather than overclocking. In a server/workstation context, the TDP suggests that a standard cooling solution would be adequate, but the absence of any thermal benchmarks means no further interpretation is possible.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the AMD Opteron 244 use?

A: It uses AMD Socket 940.

Q: Does the Opteron 244 support ECC memory?

A: No, the data indicates that ECC memory is not supported (`eccMemory` is false).

Q: What is the L2 cache size?

A: The L2 cache is 1 MB.

Q: When was the Opteron 244 released?

A: It was released on May 17, 2004.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is locked.

Q: What is the process node?

A: It is built on a 130 nm process with 106 million transistors.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark section for the Opteron 244 contains no entries. The `benchmarks` array is empty, and the `avgBenchmarkScore` is 0. The only performance-related metric is the `percentileVsAllCpus` value of 50, which places the processor at the median of all CPUs in the database. This percentile is a relative ranking, not an absolute score, and it does not convey any information about raw speed or throughput.

Because no benchmark scores are recorded, no percentage deltas can be computed against any other processor. The absence of data means that any claim about how much faster or slower this chip is compared to a specific rival would be unsupported. The architectural specifications—one core, one thread, 1.8 GHz base clock, 128 KB L1, and 1 MB L2—suggest a single-threaded execution model. In modern workloads that rely on multi-threading, this processor would be severely limited, but the database offers no measured evidence to quantify that limitation.

The percentile rank of 50 is a neutral indicator. It does not imply that the processor is "average" in any absolute sense, but rather that its position in the database's performance distribution is exactly the middle. Without benchmark data, the Opteron 244's practical performance cannot be validated or compared.

Who Should Consider It

The Opteron 244 is explicitly targeted at the Server/Workstation market segment, as stated in the fact pack. Its single core and single thread make it unsuitable for parallel workloads, such as modern database servers, virtualization, or multi-threaded compilation. The lack of ECC support further disqualifies it from memory-intensive server roles where data integrity is critical.

For gaming, the 1.8 GHz clock and single core would be grossly inadequate for any current title; the processor's end-of-life status also means no driver or software optimizations are forthcoming. In creation workloads like video editing or 3D rendering, the absence of multi-threading and the low clock speed would result in extremely poor performance. Even basic office tasks, such as word processing or spreadsheet work, would be handled with difficulty due to the limited compute capacity and the age of the platform.

Given the production status of end-of-life, there is no upgrade path or ongoing support. The Opteron 244 could only be considered for legacy single-threaded server applications that do not require ECC and can tolerate a 2004-era design. The 50th percentile ranking offers no reassurance of capability; it simply indicates that the processor is neither the worst nor the best in the database, but the lack of any benchmark scores leaves its actual performance unverified. For any modern workload, this processor is not a viable choice.