AMD Opteron 250

The AMD Opteron 250 is a single-core server processor from the K8 architecture, built on a 130 nm process. It occupies the 50th percentile among all CPUs in the database, placing it squarely in the middle of the performance distribution, though its benchmark score is listed as zero, indicating a lack of recorded test data.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark database lists no individual scores for the Opteron 250, and its average benchmark score is reported as zero. The percentile ranking of 50% against all CPUs is the only quantitative performance indicator available, placing this processor at the exact median of the entire database population. This position suggests that while it was a competent part of its era, it does not stand out as either a high-end or entry-level performer relative to the full historical range of processors.

Because the nearestRivals field is empty, there are no direct percentage deltas to report against competing chips. The absence of comparative data means the Opteron 250 cannot be positioned precisely against its contemporaries using benchmark scores. Its single-core, single-thread design from the early 2000s would inherently limit its raw throughput compared to later multi-core parts, but the database does not provide the numeric evidence to quantify that gap.

The zero benchmark score may reflect that this processor was never subjected to the database's standard test suite, or that its results were not archived. For a server/workstation part released in May 2004, its 50th percentile standing implies it outperforms roughly half of all CPUs ever cataloged, which is notable given the vast number of consumer and enterprise parts included in the database.

Platform and Compatibility

The Opteron 250 uses the AMD Socket 940, a platform designed for single and dual-processor server configurations. The processor is built on the K8 microarchitecture with the SledgeHammer codename, and it belongs to the Opteron (SledgeHammer (CG)) generation. This socket supports the dual-channel memory bus, though the specific memory types and capacities are not listed in the fact pack.

The processor provides PCIe Gen 2 connectivity, which was a forward-looking feature for its release period. The system integrates no graphics core, as expected for a server-focused part. The memory bus is dual-channel, but ECC memory is not supported according to the fact pack, which is unusual for a server processor — most workstation platforms of this class require or strongly prefer ECC for data integrity.

The platform targets the Server/Workstation market segment, and the production status is listed as end-of-life. The architecture uses a 130 nm process node with 106 million transistors on a 193 mm² die. The processor is not multiplier-unlocked, meaning its clock speed of 2.40 GHz is fixed by the platform. Upgrade path considerations are limited by the Socket 940 design, which was primarily used in early K8 Opteron systems and was later succeeded by other sockets.

Power and Thermals

The Opteron 250 has a TDP of 89 watts, which classifies it as a moderate-power server chip for its generation. This TDP level indicates that a standard server heatsink with adequate airflow would be sufficient for cooling, without the need for exotic liquid cooling or oversized heatsinks. The 130 nm manufacturing process, combined with a 2.40 GHz clock speed, produces this thermal envelope.

For a single-core processor, 89 watts is relatively high compared to later efficient designs, but it was typical for early 64-bit server processors of the K8 era. The thermal implications suggest that systems using this chip required proper chassis ventilation, but not necessarily high-end cooling solutions. Data center operators would have needed to account for this heat output in their cooling budgets, though it is not extreme by server standards.

The power characteristics are closely tied to the process node and architecture. The 106 million transistor count and 193 mm² die size contribute to the thermal profile. The lack of a boost clock means the processor runs at a constant 2.40 GHz, avoiding the transient thermal spikes seen in modern turbo-boosting parts. This steady-state operation simplifies thermal management in server environments.

How It Compares

The fact pack lists no nearest rivals for the Opteron 250, and no comparative benchmark scores or percentage deltas are available. This absence of data means any direct comparison to specific competing processors — such as Intel's Xeon offerings from the same period — cannot be made using the provided information.

Without nearestRivals data, the Opteron 250's standing must be inferred from its percentile position alone. The 50th percentile rank indicates it sits at the midpoint of all CPUs in the database, but this is a broad measure that does not account for generational differences. A server processor from 2004 ranking in the middle of all-time CPUs suggests it was neither a standout performer nor a laggard.

The lack of rival data may reflect the database's focus on consumer processors, where server parts like the Opteron are less frequently benchmarked. The processor's single-core design and dual-channel memory bus were competitive features in its era, but without specific rival scores, its relative performance cannot be quantified. The empty nearestRivals field is a significant limitation for comparative analysis.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Opteron 250 is a single-core, single-thread processor, meaning it can execute only one thread at a time. This design has profound implications for workload performance: it excels at tasks that require high sequential processing power per thread, but it cannot handle parallel workloads effectively. The 2.40 GHz base clock is the sole determinant of single-thread performance.

For real-world server workloads of its era, this meant the Opteron 250 was suited to transaction processing, database queries, and other latency-sensitive tasks that run on a single thread. Multi-threaded applications, such as modern web servers or scientific simulations, would see no benefit from additional cores because none exist. The processor's 1 MB L2 cache helps maintain performance on single-threaded tasks by reducing memory latency.

The single-thread behavior also affects scalability: systems using this processor would need multiple physical CPUs in separate sockets to achieve multi-threading, which was a common server configuration of the time. The dual-channel memory bus supports this setup by providing adequate bandwidth for multiple processors accessing shared memory. However, the lack of ECC support is a notable deficiency for mission-critical server deployments where data corruption is unacceptable.

The 128 KB L1 cache and 1 MB L2 cache are modest by modern standards but were adequate for the K8 architecture's single-threaded performance goals. The absence of an L3 cache means the processor relies entirely on the L2 cache and main memory, making memory latency a critical factor in workload performance. The 50th percentile ranking suggests that for single-threaded applications, this processor performs adequately relative to the full database, but it would struggle with any modern multi-threaded workload.