AMD Opteron X2 275 HE socket: Socket 940

What the Opteron X2 275 HE is

The AMD Opteron X2 275 HE is a 2.2 GHz low-power dual-core server processor from February 2006. It runs two K8 cores at 2.2 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 275 HE brought Italy dual cores to power capped racks on a 1000 MT/s HyperTransport link. It exists because dense servers wanted dual core throughput at about half the 95 W of standard Italy parts.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The X2 275 HE fits Socket 940 dual-processor server boards with a BIOS that lists HE Italy dual cores. It suits dense chassis qualified for 55 W parts. 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 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 Opteron X2 285 at 2.6 GHz with the same cache at 95 W where the chassis allows, or the 270 HE at 2 GHz for a lower cost. Beyond Socket 940 a move to Socket F needs new boards and DDR2 memory.