AMD Athlon II X2 240 processor review, specifications and reviews

Initially positioned the AMD Athlon II X2 240 as a processor solution for desktop systems of the middle level. But this was true for 2009, when this CPU could compete on an equal footing with Intel's Core 2 Duo.

Now this chip can boast of a modest level of performance, which is enough only for the office, outdated games and other undemanding applications.

What are the tasks of this processor?

The review of the AMD 2009 processors clearly and clearly points to their separation:

• Basic computer systems were built on the basis of chips "Septron." Their performance was quite enough for office applications, unpretentious games and other undemanding software.

• The middle niche was filled with the Athlon CPU. It was to this segment that the hero of this review belonged. These chips allowed to solve most of the tasks, among which were the most demanding games of that time. The only thing that should be noted: the most demanding three-dimensional toys went on this CPU not at the maximum settings.

• The premium segment of AMD's processor solutions was occupied by Fenom chips. They easily solved any problems. And even the most demanding toys on them came with the maximum parameters.

What is the processor?

AMD Athlon II X2 240 processor Was delivered in a black and green box. The chip has not been marked. Also in one of the sides was made a square hole, with which it was possible to check the correspondence of the inscriptions on the box and on the front panel of the CPU. The processor itself was packed in a transparent protective box, which excluded possible damage to it. In addition to the semiconductor chip itself, the package also included the following components:

• Box cooler.

• Sticker for the front panel of the computer case.

• Quick start manual for the chip.

• Warranty card.

Socket

AMD Athlon II X2 240 was developed specifically for the "AM3" connector. That is, it could be installed in any motherboard with such a socket. But the chip "AM3" was that it is compatible with the obsolete "AM2 +" and the most fresh and productive socket of the company "AMD" - "AM3 +". That is, this processor solution can be installed in any motherboard starting from the "AM2 +" platform. This approach allows owners of computers based on AMD chips without any problems to upgrade the PC and significantly increase its performance.

Technological process

If you compare AMD's processors with the most recent solutions, the difference will be very significant. The hero of this review was made using the technology of SOI (silicon on insulator - silicon at the dielectric) at the rate of 45 nm technical process. And it was one of the first semiconductor crystals, which could boast such a parameter. Now the solutions for the AM3 + socket are manufactured using the same technology, but already using the 32 nm process. This allows to significantly reduce the area of the CPU chip and increase its performance. But if you compare solutions based on "AM3 +" and the most progressive platform of Intel Corporation - "Socket 1151", then the purchase of the last platform seems preferable: its CPUs are already manufactured using the 14-nm process technology. Accordingly, energy efficiency and productivity are much better for them.

The cache situation

AMD Athlon II X2 240 is equipped with a two-level cache. Such an engineering solution provided a fairly good level of performance at the time of its release. The first level of fast energy-dependent memory was divided into two equal parts. In one of them, only the instructions of the CPU were stored and its size was 2 clusters of 64 kilobytes each. Exactly the same size and identical organization and data memory: 2 clusters of 64 kilobytes each. As a result, we get 128 kilobytes for instructions and 128 kilobytes for data. The second level of the cache was shared, and its size was equal to 2 clusters of 1 megabyte or in the amount of 2 megabytes. Of course, against the background of modern CPUs with a three-level cache of 8 megabytes or more this value looks rather modest. But do not forget that the processor of 2009, and at that time he had excellent technical specifications.

Types of memory

An interesting situation has developed with the type of memory supported in the AMD Athlon II X2 240. Characteristics indicate that this silicon crystal can work in motherboards with AM2 +, AM3 and, of course, AM3 + connectors. The first of them was equipped with slots for modules "DDR2". And the last two - under "DDR3".

Therefore, this CPU model from this position is universal and can work with both DDR2 and DDR3. But the use of the latter is more preferable. In this case, memory frequencies increase, which increases the overall system performance.

Temperature and heat package

It should be noted right away that this chip boasts a power of 65 Watt TDP. This is really a modest value in comparison with the current flagship solutions of AMD company processors FX-9590 and FX-9370, which already consume 220 watts. This power value allows this processor solution to be installed in any motherboard with a suitable socket. The maximum permissible temperature for this semiconductor crystal is 74 degrees. In essence, this is an average statistical value that can not stand out against the background of analogs.

Clock frequency

The nominal clock frequency of this processor solution is 2.8 GHz. This is already quite a good value. But if desired, this value can be significantly increased (according to the assurances of computer enthusiasts - up to 30%). In reality, this means that on a properly selected computer system, the frequency of this CPU can reach 4 GHz. In doing so, everything will function properly. It is through this that you can achieve a significant increase in performance, but this will be discussed in detail later.

Slightly about computational modules

It should be noted right away that there are only 2 computational modules in the AMD Athlon II X2 240. Unlocking the cores in this case will not give any result. To increase productivity, you need to buy solutions "Athlone X3". In this case, it is possible, by making changes in "BIOS", to turn it into "Athlone X4". Well, again, this manipulation can not be done on every motherboard.

Overclocking

Like any chip of that time, this CPU can be accelerated, that is, to increase its frequency and thereby achieve a significant increase in performance. Before overclocking, the computer system must be specially selected and assembled. Complete cooling system must be replaced without fail. Its capabilities in overclocking the CPU are not enough. There must also be an advanced motherboard, whose BIOS could allow for a flexible configuration of the computer system. Also, the power supply must be at least 500 watts. And before this operation, it is recommended to install additional software: CPU-Z (for checking the achieved values of the CPU characteristics), EVEREST / AIDA (to check the stability of the computer system) and SPEED FAN (with its help it is necessary to monitor the operation of the cooling system and check the temperature Processor). Only after this, you can begin to increase the performance of the AMD Athlon II X2 240.

Overclocking starts with the fact that we go into the "BIOS". To do this, when you turn on the PC, press the "DEL" key and release it after the "BIOS" launch window appears. Then go to the menu item "CELL MODE". In it, find the parameter Cool'n'Quiet and set it to Disabled. Further we reduce the memory frequency to 400 MHz (parameter HT LINK SPEED). This is done in order not to exceed the maximum permissible operating frequency of the RAM. Due to this manipulation, a certain reserve appears, due to which it is possible to increase the frequency of the processor. At the same time, the frequency of RAM operation will increase. But, since it is lowered in advance, then special problems with the work of the PC should not arise. After that, we increase the frequency of the processor by 1 point. That is, the CPU FSB Frequency parameter is changed from 200 to 201 MHz.

We save the changes and restart the PC. Then we check its stability. Also at this point, the CPU temperature is checked using the SPEED FAN utility, and the crash test is done using EVERESTa. If everything is in order, then we go back to "BIOS" and increase the frequency to 202 MHz, and so on, until the processor frequency reaches 3.2-3.3 GHz. Further overclocking is possible only if the CPU supply voltage is increased to 1.4 V. In practice, in this case, it is possible to obtain 3.5-3.7 GHz. But at the same time, the load on the semiconductor crystal increases substantially, and its service life decreases. This method is the simplest and is applicable on any motherboard. In some cases, motherboard developers provide specialized software that allows you to perform this operation without restarting the PC. In this case, it is better to use it for overclocking. But the technique remains similar.

Price

70 dollars - this is the value at the time of the start of sales of the AMD Athlon II X2 240. The price of its today has significantly decreased and is 22.5 dollars. While this chip can still be purchased from stock. But the cost is quite adequate, and he finds a successful application in budget office systems. Its performance is quite sufficient for such tasks.

Reviews about CPU

It is difficult to compare the processors of 2009 and 2015 with each other. We can say that they are separated very well by a very long time interval. But at the time of the release of this CPU its owners pointed to its advantages:

• Democratic cost in comparison with direct competitors from Intel.

• High overclocking potential, which allows to achieve a 30% increase in productivity in practice.

• Weak heating at high load. Reviews indicate a temperature of 45 degrees in this mode of operation, and the critical temperature (about this was previously indicated) is 74 degrees. That is, there is a sufficiently large margin of safety for this parameter in this processor solution.

But he has only one drawback - a small cache size. But this problem even now is peculiar to many processor solutions of this manufacturer. For example, the CPU of the platform FM2 + can also boast only 2-level cache. At the same time platform "1151" from "Intel" is necessarily equipped with a three-level cache. And it is this nuance in combination with the more progressive architecture of the processor solution that provides a higher percentage of performance.

Results

At the time of launch, the AMD Athlon II X2 240 was an excellent processor, which provided an excellent level of performance. Now it's obsolete, and its computing capabilities are sufficient only for performing office tasks, launching simple toys and other similar tasks.