AMD Athlon II X2 240 was initially positioned as a processor solution for mid-range desktop systems. But this was true for 2009, when this CPU could compete on an equal footing with Intel's Core 2 Duo.
Now this chip boasts a modest level of performance, which is enough only for the office, outdated games and other undemanding applications.
What tasks is this processor oriented to?
A review of the 2009 AMD processors clearly and clearly indicates their separation:
Basic computer systems were built on the basis of Septron chips. Their performance was quite enough for office applications, simple games and other undemanding software.
The middle niche was filled with Athlon brand CPUs. It was to this segment that the hero of this review belonged. These chips made it possible to solve most of the problems, among which were the most demanding games of that time. The only thing to note: the most demanding three-dimensional toys did not go to this CPU at maximum settings.
The premium segment of AMD processor solutions was occupied by Fen chips. They allowed to solve any problems without problems. And even the most demanding toys on them came with maximum parameters.
What is equipped with a processor?
AMD Athlon II X2 240 Processor delivered in a black and green box. The chip was not marked on. Also, a square hole was made in one of the sides, with the help of 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 eliminated its possible damage. In addition to the semiconductor chip itself, the package also included the following components:
Socket
The AMD Athlon II X2 240 was specifically designed for the AM3 connector. That is, it could be installed in any motherboard with such a socket. But the feature of "AM3" was that it is compatible with the outdated "AM2 +" and the most recent and productive socket of the company "AMD" - "AM3 +". That is, this processor solution can be installed on any motherboard starting with the AM2 + platform. Such an approach allows owners of computers based on AMD chips to easily upgrade their PC and significantly increase its performance.
Technological process
If we compare the AMD processors of 2009 with the latest solutions, the difference will be very significant. The hero of this review was manufactured using SOI technology (silicon on insulator - silicon on dielectric) according to the standards of 45 nm manufacturing process. Moreover, it was one of the first semiconductor crystals that could boast of such a parameter. Now, solutions for the AM3 + socket are manufactured using the same technology, but already using the 32 nm process. This allows you to significantly reduce the area of the CPU crystal and increase its performance. But if we compare the solutions based on AM3 + and Intel's most progressive platform, Socket 1151, it would be preferable to buy the latest platform: its CPUs are already manufactured using the 14-nm process technology. Accordingly, their energy efficiency and productivity are much better.
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 volatile memory was divided into two equal parts. In one of them, only the CPU instructions were stored and its size was 2 clusters of 64 kilobytes each. Exactly the same size and identical organization in the data memory: 2 clusters of 64 kilobytes each. As a result, we get 128 kilobytes for instructions and 128 kilobytes for data. The second cache level was general, and its size was equal to 2 clusters of 1 megabyte each or in total - 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 was in 2009, and at that time it had excellent technical specifications.
Types of memory
A rather interesting situation exists with the type of supported RAM in the AMD Athlon II X2 240. Characteristics indicate that this silicon crystal can work in motherboards with connectors “AM2 +”, “AM3” and, of course, “AM3 +”. The first of them was equipped with slots for modules "DDR2". And the last two - under "DDR3".
Therefore, this model of the central processor 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, the memory frequencies increase, thereby increasing the performance of the system as a whole.
Temperature and heat pack
It should be noted right away that this chip boasts a 65 Watt TDP. This is really a modest value in comparison with the current flagship solutions of AMD company with the FX-9590 and FX-9370 processors, which already consume 220 watts. Such a power value allows this processor solution to be installed in any motherboard with a suitable socket. The maximum allowable temperature for this semiconductor crystal is 74 degrees. In essence, this is the average value, which cannot be distinguished by anything remarkable against the background of analogues.
Clock frequency
The nominal clock frequency of this processor solution is 2.8 GHz. This is already a pretty good value. But if desired, this value can be significantly increased (according to 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 this case, everything will function normally. It is due to this that you can achieve a significant increase in productivity, but this will be described in detail below.
A little bit about computing modules
It should be noted right away that there are only 2 computing 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 Atlon X3 solutions. In this case, it is possible, by amending the BIOS, to turn it into Athlone X4. Well, again, such a manipulation can not be done on every motherboard.
Overclocking
Like any chip of that time, this CPU can be overclocked, that is, increase its frequency and thereby achieve a significant increase in performance. Before overclocking, the computer system must be specially selected and assembled. The complete cooling system must be replaced without fail. Its capabilities for overclocking the CPU are not enough. There should also be an advanced motherboard, “BIOS” which would allow for 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 (to check the achieved values of the characteristics of the central processor), EVEREST / AIDA (to check the stability of the computer system) and SPEED FAN (with its help, it is necessary to control the operation of the cooling system and check the temperature processor). Only after that can we begin to increase the performance of the AMD Athlon II X2 240.
Acceleration we begin with the fact that we go to the "BIOS". To do this, when you turn on the PC, hold down the "DEL" key and release it after the "BIOS" start window appears. Then go to the menu item "CELL MODE". In it we find the Cool'n'Quiet parameter and set it to Disabled. Next, we reduce the memory frequency to 400 MHz (parameter HT LINK SPEED). This is done in order not to exceed the maximum permissible operating memory frequency. Due to this manipulation, a certain reserve appears, due to which you can increase the frequency of the processor. At the same time, the frequency of RAM will also increase. But, since it is reduced in advance, then special problems with the PC should not arise. After that, we increase the processor frequency by 1 point. That is, the parameter CPU FSB Frequency is changed from 200 to 201 MHz.
We save the changes and reboot the PC. Then we check its stability. Also at this moment, the processor temperature is checked using the SPEED FAN utility, and we do a crash test 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 even if the CPU voltage is increased to 1.4 V. In practice, in this case, you can get 3.5-3.7 GHz. But at the same time, the load on the semiconductor crystal increases significantly, and its service life is reduced. This method is the simplest and applicable on any motherboard. In some cases, motherboard developers provide specialized software that allows you to perform this operation without rebooting the PC. In this case, it is better to use it for overclocking. But the methodology remains the same.
Price
$ 70 - that was the price at the time the AMD Athlon II X2 240 started selling. Today, its price has dropped significantly and amounts to $ 22.5. While this chip can still be purchased from stock. But his cost is quite adequate, and he finds successful application in budget office systems. Its performance is quite enough for such tasks.
CPU Reviews
It is difficult to compare the processors of 2009 and 2015 with each other. We can say that they are separated by a very solid time interval. But still, 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.
Low heat at high load. Reviews indicate a temperature of 45 degrees in this mode of operation, and the critical temperature (as 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 - the small size of the cache. But this problem even now is inherent in many processor solutions of this manufacturer. For example, FM2 + CPUs can also boast only a 2-level cache. At the same time, the Intel 1151 platform is equipped with a three-level cache. And it is this nuance, combined with the more advanced architecture of the processor solution, that provides a higher percentage of performance.
Summary
At the time the AMD Athlon II X2 240 was on sale, it was an excellent processor that provided an excellent level of performance. Now it is outdated, and its computational capabilities are enough only for office tasks, simple toys and other similar tasks.