AMD Opteron X2 270 HE socket: Socket 940

What the Opteron X2 270 HE is

The AMD Opteron X2 270 HE is a 2 GHz low-power dual-core server processor from December 2005. It runs two K8 cores at 2 GHz with no turbo, so 2 cores give 2 threads. Cache is 1 MB of L2 per core on a 90 nm process. Power is rated at 55 W on Socket 940.

The 270 HE served dense Italy racks with registered DDR memory on a 1000 MT/s HyperTransport link at about 1299 dollars launch price. It exists because dense servers wanted 2 GHz dual core throughput with lower power than the 95 W standard 270.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The X2 270 HE fits Socket 940 dual-processor server boards with a BIOS that lists HE Italy parts. It suits dense chassis qualified for 55 W parts with registered DDR slots. Check the server maker CPU list for the exact board and stepping. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers pairing rules.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

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

HyperTransport at 1000 MT/s links the CPU to the chipset and other sockets. PCIe slots hang off the chipset.

Cooling uses vendor qualified server heatsinks for the 55 W envelope with directed airflow.

Upgrade paths

On Socket 940 the upgrade is the AMD Opteron X2 270 at 2 GHz at 95 W where the chassis allows higher power, or the AMD Opteron X2 265 HE at 1.8 GHz for a lower cost. Beyond Socket 940 a move to Socket F needs new boards and DDR2 memory.