AMD OSP280FAA6CB Dual-Core Server Processor

Overview

The AMD OSP280FAA6CB is a dual-core Opteron 280 processor built on AMD's Socket PGA-940 platform, clocked at 2.40 GHz with a 1000 MHz HyperTransport interconnect. It targets legacy dual and multi-socket server and workstation boards that standardized on the Opteron 200-series platform, where matching an existing socket and chipset generation matters more than chasing current-generation clock speeds. For teams maintaining or expanding fleets of older PGA-940 servers, OSP280FAA6CB gives you a like-for-like drop-in rather than a forced board replacement.

Key Features

• Dual-Core Architecture: Two physical cores on a single die let the chip handle two simultaneous execution threads without the socket-count overhead of a single-core-only board — useful when a legacy application was validated against a dual-core Opteron and you need to replace a failed unit with an identical part.
• 2.40 GHz Clock Speed: Delivers consistent per-core throughput for the workloads this platform generation was originally sized for, so existing performance baselines and capacity plans stay valid after a swap.
• 1000 MHz HyperTransport: The HyperTransport link governs how fast this processor talks to other sockets and to the chipset in multi-CPU Opteron boards — running it at 1000 MHz keeps inter-socket bandwidth matched to what the rest of a dual or quad-socket 940 system expects, avoiding a mismatched-speed bottleneck.
• 2 MB L2 Cache: A larger on-die cache reduces trips out to main memory for working sets that fit within it, which on older DDR memory subsystems has an outsized effect on real-world responsiveness compared to clock speed alone.
• 256 KB L1 Cache: Fast first-level cache keeps the most immediately reused instructions and data close to the execution units, smoothing out latency-sensitive loops common in database and virtualization workloads of this era.
• 90nm Process Technology: The fabrication node this chip was built on directly shapes its power and thermal envelope — know this going in so your cooling and airflow plan for the chassis matches what the part actually draws, rather than assuming current-generation thermal behavior.
• Socket PGA-940: A pin-grid-array socket, not a land-grid or BGA package — confirm your motherboard is a genuine Socket 940 board before ordering, since this package will not physically fit newer AM or later Opteron sockets.
• AMD64 Technology: Native 64-bit instruction support means the processor addresses memory and runs operating systems beyond the 32-bit 4GB ceiling, which matters if the target server is running a 64-bit OS or hypervisor.
• Virtualization Technology: Hardware-assisted virtualization support lets a hypervisor offload guest state transitions to silicon instead of software emulation, reducing overhead when this board is used to host multiple virtual machines.
• AMD PowerNow! Technology: Dynamic clock and voltage scaling drops power draw during idle or low-load periods — relevant for any deployment where the server sits in a rack with limited cooling headroom or runs non-stop.

Integration & Compatibility

OSP280FAA6CB is a direct-fit replacement or expansion part for any motherboard built around the Socket 940 Opteron 200-series platform. Because HyperTransport speed and socket generation must match across populated sockets in multi-CPU boards, pair this unit with other 1000 MHz HyperTransport Opteron 200-series processors rather than mixing HyperTransport speeds in the same chassis. If you're building out server capacity around this processor generation, review compatible server motherboards and processor accessories such as heatsinks rated for its thermal output before ordering. For teams standardizing a broader parts inventory, the AMD catalog covers adjacent Opteron generations if a project calls for a different core count or socket type.

This part is sourced through channel-direct sourcing with no grey-market or parallel imports — factory-new units only, which matters for a legacy component where counterfeit and remarked parts circulate in secondary markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What socket does the OSP280FAA6CB use?

A: Socket PGA-940. It is not compatible with other AMD server sockets — verify your motherboard's socket type before ordering.

Q: Is the OSP280FAA6CB a single-core or dual-core processor?

A: Dual-core, running at 2.40 GHz per core.

Q: How much cache does the OSP280FAA6CB have?

A: 256 KB of L1 cache and 2 MB of L2 cache.

Q: What HyperTransport speed does this processor run?

A: 1000 MHz. Match this speed across all populated sockets in multi-CPU boards.

Q: Does the OSP280FAA6CB support 64-bit operating systems?

A: Yes, it supports AMD64 Technology for native 64-bit addressing and OS support.

Q: Does the OSP280FAA6CB support virtualization?

A: Yes, it includes AMD Virtualization Technology for hardware-assisted hypervisor support.

Karl Wilson

OSP280FAA6CB shows up on my desk whenever someone's Socket 940 Opteron board loses a CPU and the rest of the chassis still has useful service life left. This is a dual-core 2.40 GHz part with a 1000 MHz HyperTransport link — the number that actually matters most when you're populating a second or third socket.

Technical Highlights:

• 1000 MHz HyperTransport: Every populated socket in a multi-CPU 940 board needs to run the same HyperTransport speed. Drop a mismatched-speed Opteron next to this one and you're capping the whole interconnect, not just adding a bottleneck on one socket.
• 2 MB L2 / 256 KB L1 Cache: On this generation of DDR memory controllers, cache size does more for real-world responsiveness than the clock number on the box. 2 MB L2 keeps more of a working set on-die before the chip has to reach out to system RAM.
• 90nm Process: This directly sets the thermal and power envelope — plan chassis airflow and heatsink contact around what a 90nm-era dual-core part actually dissipates, not around modern assumptions.

Deployment Considerations:

• Confirm PGA-940 on the target board before ordering — this package physically will not seat in any later Opteron socket generation.
• In dual-socket boards, buy matched pairs. A single OSP280FAA6CB replacing a failed unit next to a different-stepping Opteron can still boot, but validate BIOS microcode support for mixed steppings before trusting it in production.

Where this earns its keep: a dual-socket 940 file or application server that's still doing its job and doesn't justify a full platform refresh — this gets it back to full core count without touching the board, RAM, or storage already installed.