AMD Opteron A1170

AMD Opteron A1170 is an eight-core, eight-thread ARM Cortex-A57 server processor built on GlobalFoundries’ 28 nm process, with a base clock of 2000.00 MHz and no boost clock. Its 32 W TDP and dual-channel DDR3/DDR4 memory support with ECC position it as a low-power, reliability-focused part for dense server deployments, though its benchmark data is limited.

Benchmark Performance

The AMD Opteron A1170 has no individual benchmark scores recorded in the database, and its average benchmark score is listed as 0. Its percentile rank against all CPUs is 50, meaning it sits exactly at the median of the entire CPU distribution — a neutral position that suggests it is neither a standout performer nor a laggard in aggregate, but this percentile is derived from a dataset with no direct performance entries for this specific chip.

Because the database contains no nearest rivals and no deltaPct values, quantitative comparisons to other processors cannot be made from the available facts. The absence of benchmark results means the A1170’s raw compute throughput cannot be expressed as a percentage ahead or behind any competitor. What can be stated is that with 8 cores and 8 threads at 2000.00 MHz, the A1170 belongs to a class of processors where per-core clock speed is modest, and total throughput will scale with the number of concurrent threads the workload can utilize.

The L1 cache is 80 KB per core, which for eight cores totals a significant on-die cache allocation, while the shared L2 is 4 MB and L3 is 8 MB. This cache hierarchy — particularly the 8 MB shared L3 — is likely to benefit workloads with moderate data reuse across cores, such as in-memory database queries or network packet processing. However, without benchmark scores, the practical impact of this cache arrangement cannot be quantified in terms of execution time or throughput.

The processor’s design point is clearly efficiency rather than peak performance: a 32 W TDP on a 182 mm² die with ARM Cortex-A57 cores indicates that AMD targeted this part at environments where power consumption per socket is a primary constraint. In such settings, the A1170’s performance would be judged relative to other low-power server chips, but the database provides no such rivals or deltas.

Platform and Compatibility

The AMD Opteron A1170 uses the AMD Socket SP1, a socket designed for AMD’s ARM-based Opteron server processors. The architecture is ARM Cortex-A57, with the codename Seattle, and the generation is listed as “Opteron (Seattle).” This places the chip firmly in AMD’s first-generation ARM server push, released on 2016-01-13, and it is now marked as end-of-life in production status.

Memory support includes both DDR3 and DDR4, with a dual-channel memory bus. The memory bandwidth is specified at 29.9 GB/s, which is a fixed figure for the platform regardless of whether DDR3 or DDR4 modules are installed. ECC memory is supported, which is a critical feature for server workloads where data corruption is unacceptable, such as financial transactions or long-running scientific computations.

PCIe support is Gen 3, with 8 lanes available from the CPU only. This limited lane count means the A1170 is not suited for systems requiring multiple high-bandwidth expansion cards, such as multiple GPUs or high-end NVMe arrays. The 8 lanes would accommodate a single low-to-mid-range PCIe device, or a few lower-bandwidth cards, but the platform’s expansion capacity is constrained. The lack of integrated graphics further confirms its server-only role, as no display output is provided.

The process node is 28 nm, and the die size is 182 mm², with the foundry being GlobalFoundries. The multiplier is unlocked (false), so overclocking is not an option, which is typical for server parts where stability and predictable power draw are paramount. The part number is OA1170AQD8NAD.

Upgrade path considerations are heavily influenced by the end-of-life status. Since the socket SP1 is not shared with AMD’s x86 platforms, users cannot migrate to newer AMD Ryzen or EPYC processors without a full motherboard and memory change. Within the SP1 ecosystem, the A1170 itself is the only listed processor, so there is no higher-tier chip on the same socket to upgrade to. The platform is a dead end in terms of CPU upgrades, though the dual-channel DDR3/DDR4 support does allow some flexibility in memory module selection.

Who Should Consider It

Given the absence of benchmark scores, recommendations must be grounded in the architectural facts. The A1170 is a server/workstation part, not a consumer chip. Its 8 cores and 8 threads at 2000.00 MHz, combined with a 32 W TDP, make it suitable for workloads that are parallel but not latency-sensitive, and where power density is a concern — for example, in dense rack-mounted servers where many sockets share a single power budget.

For gaming, this processor is entirely unsuitable. It lacks integrated graphics, has no boost clock, and its ARM architecture means virtually no mainstream games are compiled for it. The dual-channel memory bus and 29.9 GB/s bandwidth are far below what modern gaming CPUs require, and the PCIe Gen 3 with only 8 lanes would bottleneck even a single mid-range discrete GPU. The data shows no scenario where the A1170 would be a rational gaming choice.

For content creation, such as video editing or 3D rendering, the A1170 would struggle. These workloads often rely on high single-thread performance and large memory bandwidth, both of which are weak points here. The 2000.00 MHz base clock is low, and without a boost clock, the CPU cannot temporarily increase its frequency under load. The 8 MB L3 cache helps with some multi-threaded rendering tasks, but the lack of benchmark data means no specific speedup can be cited. The 32 W TDP suggests sustained heavy loads would be possible without thermal throttling, but the absolute throughput per core would be far below contemporary x86 server parts.

The most appropriate use case is lightweight server infrastructure: web serving, static content delivery, network appliances, or simple containerized applications that prioritize low idle power and modest compute. The ECC memory support and dual-channel DDR3/DDR4 options make it viable for small-scale database or file server roles. The 29.9 GB/s memory bandwidth is adequate for network I/O at 1 GbE or even 10 GbE speeds, but not for high-performance computing or data analytics. In short, this is a processor for edge computing, not for number-crunching.

FAQ

Q: What is the base clock speed of the AMD Opteron A1170?

A: The base clock is 2000.00 MHz, and there is no boost clock available.

Q: Does the Opteron A1170 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory is supported, which is essential for error-sensitive server workloads.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does the CPU provide?

A: The CPU provides 8 lanes of PCIe Gen 3, which limits expansion to a small number of devices.

Q: What memory types and channels are supported?

A: The processor supports both DDR3 and DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration, with a total memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is locked (multiplierUnlocked is false), so the CPU cannot be overclocked.

Q: What is the production status of the Opteron A1170?

A: It is end-of-life, having been released on 2016-01-13, and the architecture is ARM Cortex-A57 with the codename Seattle.

How It Compares

The database lists no nearest rivals for the AMD Opteron A1170, and no deltaPct values are provided. This absence of comparison data means the A1170 cannot be positioned against any specific competing processor in terms of benchmark scores. The percentile rank of 50 against all CPUs suggests it sits at the midpoint of the overall distribution, but this is a global percentile that does not account for the server-specific context.

Without rival data, the only comparative statements that can be made are based on architectural characteristics. For instance, compared to typical x86 server processors of its era, the A1170’s ARM Cortex-A57 cores would likely deliver lower integer performance per clock, but the 32 W TDP is substantially lower than many x86 server parts, making it more power-efficient in absolute terms. However, these are qualitative observations, not benchmark-derived deltas.

The lack of nearest rivals also means no workload-specific comparisons, such as multi-core or single-core deltas, can be cited. The processor’s position in the database is isolated; it is a niche ARM server chip that did not generate enough benchmark submissions to establish a peer group. As such, the A1170’s competitive standing is undefined, and any attempt to rank it would rely on external knowledge, which is outside the scope of this analysis. The data simply shows a processor with no measured performance and no direct competitors, leaving its relative merits unquantified.