AMD Opteron 144 socket: Socket 939

What the Opteron 144 is

The AMD Opteron 144 is a 1.8 GHz single-core server processor from August 2005. It runs one K8 core at 1.8 GHz with no turbo, so 1 core gives 1 thread. Cache is 1 MB of L2 on a 90 nm process. Power is rated at 85 W on Socket 939 in E4 stepping, with an E6 stepping at 67 W.

The 144 served single-processor Venus servers with unbuffered DDR memory on a 1000 MT/s HyperTransport link. The cpu_list San Diego codename conflicts with the opened list, which places the s939 100 series under Venus in E4 and E6 steppings, and Venus is used here. It exists because entry servers wanted a 1.8 GHz Venus single core with unbuffered memory support.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The 144 fits Socket 939 single-processor server boards with a BIOS that lists Venus parts. It suits entry builds with unbuffered DDR slots. Check the board maker CPU list for the exact stepping, E4 at 85 W or E6 at 67 W. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers pairing rules.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

Memory is unbuffered DDR in two channels through the on-chip controller.

HyperTransport at 1000 MT/s links the CPU to the chipset. PCIe or AGP slots hang off the chipset.

Cooling is any 85 W rated Socket 939 heatsink on the AMD retention frame, with CoolnQuiet trimming draw at idle.

Upgrade paths

On Socket 939 the upgrade is the Opteron 146 at 2 GHz with the same 1 MB cache, or higher Venus bins on the same board. Beyond Socket 939 a move to Socket AM2 or F needs a new board and memory.