AMD Opteron X2 875 HE

AMD Opteron X2 875 HE is a dual-core server processor from AMD’s K8 architecture family, built on the Egypt core and fabricated on a 90 nm process. It operates at a base clock of 2.20 GHz, supports two threads total, and carries a 55 W TDP, making it a low-power variant within the Opteron X2 line. The processor is positioned for server and workstation workloads, holds a 50th percentile ranking among all CPUs in the database, and is now end-of-life. Its benchmark scores are sparse, with an average score of zero, so relative positioning must rely on architectural traits and platform characteristics rather than direct measured deltas.

Benchmark Performance

The FACT PACK provides no direct benchmark scores for the AMD Opteron X2 875 HE, and its nearest rivals list is empty. This absence of quantitative data means the processor’s performance cannot be expressed as exact percentage deltas against specific competitors. What is available is the percentile field: the 875 HE sits at the 50th percentile across all CPUs in the database. That figure indicates a median standing — neither a standout performer nor a laggard, but a midpoint representative of typical dual-core server processors from its era. In practical terms, a 50th percentile ranking suggests that in mixed workloads, roughly half of all recorded CPUs would outperform it and half would fall behind.

Without benchmark entries, any claim about speed relative to rivals must remain qualitative. The processor’s two cores at 2.20 GHz, with 1 MB of L2 cache per core, place it in the early dual-core server segment. The 90 nm process node and K8 architecture were competitive at launch, but the absence of boost clock capability means it operates at a fixed frequency. The data shows no overclocking headroom, as the multiplier is locked. For database-style comparisons, the lack of scores means the 875 HE’s performance profile is defined more by its platform and thermal envelope than by raw throughput numbers. The 50th percentile is the sole numerical anchor, suggesting a mid-pack position that aligns with its dual-core, low-clock design.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The AMD Opteron X2 875 HE has exactly two cores and two threads, meaning it offers no simultaneous multi-threading. Each core handles one thread, so single-threaded performance is effectively the per-core clock speed — 2.20 GHz — modified by K8’s architectural efficiency. Multi-threaded performance scales linearly with core count in ideal conditions, but with only two cores, the ceiling is modest. The L2 cache is 1 MB per core, which is substantial for the era and helps both single-thread and multi-thread workloads by reducing memory latency. The cache split is symmetric: each core gets its own 1 MB L2, with no shared L3 cache present.

For real workloads, this split has clear implications. Single-threaded applications, such as legacy database queries or single-process engineering tools, will see performance tied directly to the 2.20 GHz clock. Multi-threaded tasks, like parallel compilation or multi-query database servers, can use both cores but will not benefit from additional virtual threads. The absence of SMT means that context switching overhead is minimal, but also that the processor cannot hide memory stalls by running a second thread on the same core. The dual-channel memory bus helps feed both cores, but without ECC support (listed as false), the processor is not aimed at memory-critical reliability environments. The 50th percentile ranking suggests that in single-thread-heavy benchmarks, the 875 HE would likely fall below modern dual-core parts with higher clocks, while in multi-threaded tests, its two physical cores would still offer a baseline advantage over single-core predecessors. The fixed clock and lack of boost mean no dynamic single-thread spikes; performance is consistent but unvarying.

Platform and Compatibility

The AMD Opteron X2 875 HE uses AMD Socket 940, a platform designed for server and workstation use. The socket supports the K8 architecture, and the processor’s Egypt codename indicates it is part of the Opteron X2 generation. Memory support is dual-channel, though the FACT PACK does not specify the memory type or speed. The memory bus is listed as dual-channel, which provides adequate bandwidth for two cores but is modest by modern standards. ECC memory is not supported, which is notable for a server part — many competitors in this class did offer ECC, but the 875 HE lacks that feature.

PCIe support is Gen 2, which was current for its time but is several generations old. The processor has no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU or a server management controller is required for display output. The market segment is explicitly server and workstation, and the production status is end-of-life, meaning no new units are manufactured. The upgrade path is limited: Socket 940 was replaced by later AMD sockets, so users cannot drop in newer processors without changing motherboards. The process node is 90 nm, and the transistor count is 233 million, which reflects the dual-core design with 1 MB L2 per core. The die size is not listed, but the architecture is well-documented as K8. For compatibility, the processor uses a locked multiplier, so overclocking is not possible. The part number is OSK875FAA6CC, which helps identify binning and stepping. The release date is January 2006, placing it in the early dual-core server era. Overall, the platform is suited for legacy server deployments where low power is more critical than raw performance or modern features like PCIe Gen 4 or DDR5.

How It Compares

The nearest rivals list is empty, so no direct competitor comparisons with exact scores or delta percentages can be made. This absence forces a reliance on the 50th percentile ranking and architectural context. Against typical dual-core server processors of its generation, the 875 HE’s 2.20 GHz clock is moderate — some rivals offered higher clocks, others lower. The 55 W TDP is a distinguishing factor, as many server parts of that era consumed more power. In a hypothetical comparison with a similarly clocked dual-core part, the 875 HE would likely trade blows based on cache hierarchy and memory bandwidth, but without benchmark data, any such statement is speculative.

What the data does show is that the 875 HE is not a high-end part. The 50th percentile means it sits exactly at the median, so it would outperform lower-clocked or single-core rivals, but fall behind higher-clocked dual-core or quad-core parts. The lack of ECC support is a differentiator within the server segment — many competitors offered ECC, making the 875 HE less suitable for memory-intensive server workloads where data integrity is paramount. The PCIe Gen 2 support is also a generation behind later parts, but acceptable for its launch period. In terms of market positioning, the 875 HE is a low-power, mid-performance server processor, not a flagship. Its end-of-life status means it is now a legacy part, and comparisons to modern CPUs would show significant performance gaps, but the FACT PACK provides no numbers to quantify those gaps. Therefore, the only defensible comparison is the percentile rank: 50th, exactly median.

Power and Thermals

The AMD Opteron X2 875 HE has a TDP of 55 W, which is notably low for a server processor from its era. This low power envelope is a core design feature, as indicated by the "HE" suffix in its name, which stands for high efficiency. The 55 W TDP means that a capable air cooler is sufficient for thermal management; no exotic liquid cooling or high-end heatsink is required. The 90 nm process node contributes to this efficiency, though 233 million transistors still generate heat under load. With two cores at 2.20 GHz, the thermal density is moderate, and the 55 W figure allows for use in dense server chassis where cooling airflow is limited.

The low TDP has practical implications: it reduces electricity costs over the processor’s lifespan, and it allows for quieter operation compared to higher-TDP server parts. In a rack environment, multiple 875 HE processors could be deployed without overwhelming the cooling system. The absence of a boost clock means the TDP is a steady-state figure, not a peak value; the processor always runs at 2.20 GHz, so power consumption is predictable. The locked multiplier prevents undervolting or overclocking adjustments, so users must accept the stock power profile. The 55 W TDP places the 875 HE in a low-power tier, comparable to what later became known as "energy-efficient" server SKUs. For thermal design, a simple aluminum heatsink with a 40mm fan would suffice, though a larger copper-core cooler would provide extra margin. The data does not list an idle power figure, but the 55 W TDP under load suggests idle consumption would be considerably lower. Overall, the 875 HE is thermally unremarkable in a positive sense — it runs cool enough for standard server cooling infrastructure without special accommodations.