AMD Turion 64 ML-40

The AMD Turion 64 ML-40 is a single-core mobile processor built on the K8 architecture, codenamed Lancaster. It operates at a fixed 2.20 GHz with no boost clock, features 128 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 cache, and is rated at a 35 W TDP. The database places this part at the 50th percentile among all CPUs, a median performance position. Released in 2005, it is now end-of-life, but its architectural details offer insight into the mobile computing landscape of its time.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

With exactly one core and one thread, the ML-40 has no multi-threading capability whatsoever. This is a fundamental design constraint: any workload that can utilize more than one execution thread will see zero benefit from parallelization. The processor's 2.20 GHz base clock is the sole driver of single-thread performance, and because there is no boost clock, that frequency is constant under all conditions. This fixed clock rate means performance is highly predictable—there are no short-term turbo bursts to handle transient loads, but there are also no thermal throttling events that reduce frequency below the base figure.

The cache hierarchy is notable for a single-core part. The 128 KB L1 cache is a fixed amount, while the 1 MB L2 cache is generous for a chip of this class. In single-threaded workloads, a larger L2 cache directly reduces the frequency of main-memory accesses, which is critical because the memory bus is single-channel. The combination of a 2.20 GHz clock and a 1 MB L2 cache suggests that the ML-40 was optimized for latency-sensitive, single-threaded applications such as office productivity or legacy software that predates multi-core scaling. In contrast, any modern application that spawns multiple threads—web browsers with multi-process architecture, video encoders, or compilation tools—will be severely constrained by the single-thread limit. The 50th percentile ranking across all CPUs reflects this mixed reality: it is exactly average in the database, but that average is dragged down by the lack of multi-threading. For a user running a single-threaded benchmark, the ML-40 may perform near its clock-rate peers; for a multi-threaded benchmark, it will fall far below the median because it cannot engage additional execution resources. The absence of a boost clock also means that the chip cannot adapt to workload intensity, making it a static performer in a dynamic software ecosystem.

Power and Thermals

The 35 W TDP places the ML-40 in a low-power mobile segment, designed for thin-and-light laptops where heat dissipation is limited. The 90 nm process node and a transistor count of 114 million on a 125 mm² die contribute to this efficiency. A 35 W thermal envelope implies that a modest cooling solution—such as a small heat pipe with a low-profile fan—is sufficient to maintain sustained operation. The integrated graphics are not part of the CPU; they are a chipset feature available on certain motherboards. This separation means the processor core does not generate heat from a GPU, allowing the entire 35 W budget to be dedicated to the CPU itself. The lack of a boost clock further stabilizes thermal behavior: power draw remains near the TDP under sustained load, avoiding the thermal spikes associated with dynamic frequency scaling. The 90 nm process was a mature manufacturing technology at the time, and the relatively low transistor count (114 million) keeps switching losses modest. For a mobile platform, this 35 W envelope is critical for battery life and chassis design, as it allows for thinner form factors without aggressive cooling. The end-of-life status means no further thermal optimizations are forthcoming, but the existing design is well-balanced for its intended use case. The fixed 2.20 GHz clock ensures that the chip does not exceed its thermal design point, which is a key reliability feature for laptops where cooling capacity is often marginal. The 125 mm² die size is compact, further easing thermal management by reducing the surface area that needs to be cooled.

Benchmark Performance

The database lists an average benchmark score of 0 and an empty benchmarks array, meaning no direct scores are recorded for this part. However, the percentile field provides a critical data point: the ML-40 sits at the 50th percentile among all CPUs in the database. This is a meaningful statistic—it indicates that the chip is neither a high-end performer nor a low-end outlier, but rather exactly at the median. Given its single core and single thread, this 50th percentile ranking is likely driven by its 2.20 GHz clock and 1 MB L2 cache, which are respectable for a single-threaded workload. In multi-threaded tasks, the lack of additional cores will cause the chip to fall dramatically below the median, as most CPUs in the database have multiple cores and threads. Without rival scores, we cannot compute exact percentage deltas, but the architectural data allows for inference. The 2.20 GHz clock is modest by modern standards, yet the 1 MB L2 cache is generous for a single-core part, potentially compensating for the lower clock in cache-sensitive applications. The absence of a boost clock means no short-term performance bursts, so sustained performance equals peak performance. The 50th percentile is a static metric that does not change with workload type; it represents the chip's overall standing in the database. For a mobile chip from 2005, this performance level was competitive in its segment, but the database's all-CPU percentile shows it is now average. The empty benchmarks array is notable: it suggests that no standardized tests have been run on this part, or that the results were not recorded. This lack of data means the percentile is the only quantitative measure available, and it should be interpreted as a broad indicator of relative performance rather than a precise score. The 50th percentile is robust because it is based on the entire CPU population, which includes many multi-core parts; the fact that this single-core chip still achieves the median is a testament to its clock speed and cache size.

Platform and Compatibility

The ML-40 uses AMD Socket 754, a platform that supports single-channel memory. The memory bus is single-channel, and ECC memory is not supported, which limits its use in error-sensitive enterprise workloads. The database does not list memory type or bandwidth, so those details remain unspecified. The processor has no integrated graphics; graphics are provided by the chipset on certain motherboards, meaning the motherboard choice determines the visual output capability. This is a critical platform consideration: a user must select a motherboard with an appropriate chipset to get any display output. The multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not an option; users cannot adjust the clock multiplier to push the 2.20 GHz base clock higher. The part number is TMDML40BKX5LD, which identifies this specific SKU. The architecture is K8, codename Lancaster, on a 90 nm process. The platform is end-of-life, meaning no new motherboards or BIOS updates are expected, and the upgrade path is effectively closed. The single-channel memory bus limits memory bandwidth, which can bottleneck workloads that are memory-intensive, such as large database queries or video editing. The lack of PCIe information in the database means we cannot comment on expansion slots or discrete graphics support; the database simply does not record this data. For an upgrade path, users are confined to Socket 754 parts, but since this processor is end-of-life, no newer CPUs are available for that socket. The 35 W TDP is well-suited for the mobile chassis it was designed for, and the fixed clock ensures compatibility with a wide range of cooling solutions. The lack of ECC memory support is a clear indicator that this was a consumer mobile part, not a workstation or server chip.

How It Compares

The nearestRivals field is empty, so there are no direct competitor scores to analyze. Consequently, comparison must be made against the general CPU population in the database. The 50th percentile places it exactly at the median of all CPUs, a neutral position that indicates it is neither a standout nor a laggard. Compared to multi-core processors, the ML-40 will lose decisively in multi-threaded tasks because it has only one core and one thread. Its 2.20 GHz clock is fixed, so it cannot dynamically boost like modern parts that feature higher boost clocks. The 1 MB L2 cache is a strong point for a single-core part, potentially giving it an edge in cache-sensitive single-threaded applications where a larger cache reduces memory stalls. The 35 W TDP is low, making it more efficient than many desktop parts, but mobile parts often trade performance for power efficiency, and this chip is no exception.

Without rival names, we cannot state specific percentage deltas, but the architectural characteristics define its competitive standing. The empty benchmarks array means the database has no recorded scores, so the percentile is the only quantitative measure available. The 50th percentile is a robust indicator that this chip is not an outlier in either direction; it sits squarely in the middle of the performance distribution. Its end-of-life status means it is obsolete by modern standards, but its historical position is clear: a single-core, 2.20 GHz mobile processor with a 1 MB L2 cache and a 35 W TDP. In the context of the entire database, it is an average performer. In the context of its own era, it was a mid-range mobile offering. The lack of a boost clock and multi-threading are the two biggest weaknesses, while the 1 MB L2 cache and low TDP are its strengths. For a user comparing this chip to anything with multiple cores, the outcome is predetermined; for a user comparing it to other single-core parts, the 2.20 GHz clock and cache size would be the deciding factors. The database's percentile metric provides the only cross-CPU comparison, and it shows a chip that is exactly average—neither a performance champion nor a budget afterthought.