AMD Opteron 244 socket: Socket 940

What the Opteron 244 is

The AMD Opteron 244 is a 1.8 GHz single-core server processor from May 2004. 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 130 nm process. Power is rated at 82 W in a Socket 940 package with part number OSA244CEP5AU in the CG stepping.

The 244 continues the 200 series climb from the 1.6 GHz 242 with flat cache and power, using a 200 MHz clock with a 9x multiplier at 1.50 V and an 800 MHz HyperTransport link. AMD listed it at 316 dollars in May 2004, down from 794 dollars for the B3 revision in April 2003. The chip supports MMX, SSE, SSE2, Enhanced 3DNow, NX bit and AMD64 with registered PC3200 DDR. A Troy 244 on 90 nm reuses the model number with SSE3 and 85 W power, so codename separates the generations. This page covers the SledgeHammer CG part for the May 2004 82 W listing.

Flat power across 240 to 244 simplified upgrades. A two-socket board qualified for the 240 at 82 W normally accepts the 244 with the same heatsinks, since only the multiplier rises. That drop-in path made the 244 a common mid life speed lift for departmental servers.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The Opteron 244 SledgeHammer fits Socket 940 dual-processor boards with registered DDR and SledgeHammer BIOS support. It needs a two-socket server board, not a single-socket 100 series board. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers pairing rules.

Two-socket rack servers are the natural match. Boards listing 200 series SledgeHammer parts accept the 244 with 82 W cooling per socket. Troy 244 parts need Troy BIOS tables and 85 W handling, so cross-generation swaps need maker confirmation.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

Memory is registered DDR with ECC per socket, reaching PC3200 on CG parts. Populating DIMMs evenly across both CPUs gives balanced bandwidth. Desktop unbuffered modules do not boot.

HyperTransport at 800 MHz ties the CPUs together and to the chipset, while expansion hangs off the chipset. No PCIe lanes originate on the die. Cooling uses matched 82 W heatsinks with rack airflow and fresh interface material. Both sockets must be cooled equally for stable operation. DDR2 needs Socket F.

Upgrade paths

On Socket 940 the steps are the Opteron 246 at 2.0 GHz and the 248 at 2.2 GHz for two-socket boards at higher power. Troy 244 offers a 90 nm SSE3 alternative where listed. Beyond Socket 940 a move to Socket F needs DDR2 boards. The 244 lifts with the lever, so swaps need no solder work.