AMD OSA2218GAA6CQ Dual-Core Opteron Server Processor

The AMD OSA2218GAA6CQ is a second-generation Opteron 2218 dual-core processor built for Socket F server platforms. Running at 2.60GHz with a 1000MHz HyperTransport bus and 2MB of cache, it's the correct part to keep an aging dual-processor server running when the original CPU dies or you're bringing a spare unit into service. This part number is a genuine AMD unit sourced for legacy server maintenance, not a refurbished substitute.

Key Features

• 2.60GHz core frequency: matches the original clock speed for OSA2218-based platforms, so replacing a failed unit doesn't force a BIOS microcode update or a mismatched dual-socket pairing.
• 1000MHz HyperTransport bus: keeps inter-socket and I/O bandwidth at spec on dual-processor Socket F boards — important if the second socket is populated with a matching Opteron 2218 and you need both CPUs running identical bus timing.
• 2MB cache: the full L2 allocation for the Opteron 2200 series, relevant mainly for keeping performance consistent with the rest of a matched-pair deployment rather than as a standalone upgrade metric.
• 95W TDP: matches the thermal envelope the original server's heatsink and airflow design were built around, so swapping in the OSA2218GAA6CQ doesn't push an older chassis past its cooling budget.
• Socket F package: physically and electrically compatible only with Socket F (1207-pin LGA) motherboards — verify your board's socket type before ordering, since Socket F is not interchangeable with Socket AM2 or Socket 939 boards from the same era.
• Opteron family: part of AMD's server/workstation line from this generation, intended for dual- and multi-socket configurations rather than single-socket desktop boards.

Integration & Compatibility

The OSA2218GAA6CQ is a direct-fit replacement or matched-pair addition for existing Socket F server motherboards already running Opteron 2000-series processors. Because Opteron 2200-series dual-processor systems require matched stepping and frequency across both sockets, confirm your existing CPU's exact model and stepping before pairing a second OSA2218GAA6CQ into a two-socket board — a mismatch can prevent POST or force both processors down to the slower part's clock speed. This part is not compatible with Socket AM2, AM2+, or later Socket C32/G34 Opteron platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What socket does the OSA2218GAA6CQ use?

A: Socket F (1207-pin LGA). It is not compatible with Socket AM2 or later Opteron socket types.

Q: What is the clock speed and bus speed of the OSA2218GAA6CQ?

A: 2.60GHz core frequency with a 1000MHz HyperTransport bus.

Q: How much cache does the OSA2218GAA6CQ have?

A: 2MB of cache.

Q: What is the TDP of the OSA2218GAA6CQ, and will it work with my existing heatsink?

A: 95W TDP. It matches the thermal design of the original Opteron 2218-based platforms, so existing Socket F cooling designed for this power envelope will handle it.

Q: Can I pair the OSA2218GAA6CQ with a different Opteron model in a dual-socket board?

A: Dual-processor Socket F configurations typically require matched processors. Confirm stepping and model compatibility with your existing CPU before pairing.

James Everett

The OSA2218GAA6CQ shows up on my desk whenever someone's running an older dual-socket Opteron server and one CPU dies — at 2.60GHz on a 1000MHz HyperTransport bus, it's a straight drop-in for Socket F boards that were originally built around this exact part.

Technical Highlights:

• 2.60GHz / 1000MHz bus: holds the same clock and bus timing as the original Opteron 2218 deployment, so you're not introducing a frequency mismatch into a dual-socket board.
• 2MB cache: full L2 allocation for the 2200-series — matches what the second socket expects in a matched-pair config.
• 95W TDP: stays inside the cooling budget these Socket F chassis were designed around, so no heatsink or airflow changes needed.

Deployment Considerations:

• Confirm the stepping on your existing CPU before ordering a second OSA2218GAA6CQ for a dual-socket board — mismatched steppings can prevent POST or throttle both chips to the slower one.
• Socket F only — this part physically will not fit Socket AM2, AM2+, C32, or G34 boards, so double-check your motherboard's socket before ordering.

This is the right call for keeping a legacy dual-Opteron Socket F server alive past a CPU failure, not for anyone building a new deployment on current hardware.