Ampere Altra Q80-26 socket: LGA 4926

What the Altra Q80-26 is

The Ampere Altra Q80-26 is an 80-core server processor with a 2.6 GHz sustained frequency. It runs 80 single-thread Arm v8.2+ cores with no turbo, so 80 cores give 80 threads. Cache is 1 MB of L2 per core plus a 32 MB system level cache on a 7 nm process. Power is rated at 150 W max with about 113 W usage power in a 4926-pin FCLGA package with order part number AC-108015002.

Full 80-core density at the lowest Altra clocks gives the Q80-26 the best efficiency in the 80-core line, which is why it suits power-capped scale-out clouds. Ampere sold the Q80-26 in the launch lineup. The chip supports enterprise RAS.

Full density with a 150 W envelope suits efficient hyperscale servers with DDR4 memory. That is why the Q80-26 shipped in power-capped racks.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The Q80-26 fits LGA 4926 efficient servers with Altra support. It needs a 4926-land board with Ampere firmware and a BIOS that lists the Q80-26. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers pairing rules.

Efficient hyperscale servers are the natural match. Boards listing the Q80-26 accept the chip with a 150 W heatsink.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

Memory is eight channels of DDR4-3200 ECC through the on-chip controllers, up to 4 TB per socket. PCIe Gen4 with 128 lanes per socket feeds storage and networking. Cooling uses server heatsinks rated for 150 W.

Upgrade paths

On the same socket, a move to an Altra Q80-28 such as Ampere Altra Q80-28 adds 200 MHz at 185 W when frequency matters. An Altra Q64-26 such as Ampere Altra Q64-26 trims 16 cores at 125 W.

A move to Altra Max M128-26 adds density at 190 W. The LGA 4926 page lists the range.