AMD Athlon II X2 250 Processor: Features and Overview

At the time of its release in 2009 to the formprocessors of the middle class belonged to AMD Athlon II X2 250. The characteristics of this semiconductor product is once again confirmed. Since then, it's already been a long time, and this chip already belongs to the entry-level products. Specifications, capabilities and relevance of this solution will be further discussed in our review.

Segment of the processor market, which is focused on this semiconductor chip

At the time of the start of sales, AMD Athlon II X2 250 was related to mid-end processor solutions. The characteristics of the 2009 CPUs were distributed as follows in the classes:

Solutions for office PCs included only 1 compute module, had a cache memory of the 2nd level in the minimum volume and the lowest clock speeds.
System units of the middle class were equipped withmandatory 2-core CPU, had higher clock speeds. The structure of the same cache memory in this case did not undergo significant changes and was 2-level. But the size of the cache in this case was increased. As a result, in this case a higher level of performance was obtained, but such computing systems cost much more. It was to this segment of the computer market that the hero of this material belonged.
Processor solutions for the mostproductive computers were already equipped with four computational modules. Also, some of them had a 3-level cache. But the clock frequency was reduced, but the above features ultimately provided the highest possible at that time level of performance.
Now this distribution is cardinalhas changed. The entry-level PCs are equipped with chips with two computational units, but the single-core CPUs have already disappeared from the historical arena. Therefore, to date, Athlon II X2 has smoothly moved into the segment of entry-level processor devices. A middle-class PC should be based on a CPU with 4 compute clusters, and a premium segment with 8.

Package Contents

Like most existing todayprocessor devices, this chip was supplied in two versions: a simplified TRAY and a more advanced BOX. In the first case, in addition to the CPU, the installation also included installation and configuration manuals, a warranty card and a sticker with the processor model logo for the system unit. This option bundled primarily for large companies that specialize in assembling the system blocks of personal computers. As a rule, they bought wholesale specialized cooling systems for the CPU, which ultimately increased the reliability of such computers. The second version of the bundle was delivered in a black-green box and was supplemented with a regular cooling system and thermal paste.

Processor connector for installing this CPU model

The AMD Athlon II X2 250 processor was originallyis oriented to the installation in the socket AM3. The number of contacts in this processor socket was equal to 941 on the motherboard side and 938 on the CPU pad. The key difference of this socket from its predecessors AM2 and AM2 + was that in this case only DDR3 slats could be used as RAM, and earlier AMD computing platforms worked only with the DDR2 standard. But, in turn, the hybrid RAM controller of this processor device allowed it to work without problems both with the first type of memory, and with the second one. Therefore, this chip could be installed not only in the AM3 motherboard, but also AM2 + or AM3 +. The only thing that needed to be done in case of using a motherboard based on AM2 + is to update the BIOS and get support for new CPU models due to this.

Technology of production of silicon crystal

According to the freshest and most advancedtechnological process the silicon crystal AMD Athlon II X2 250 was made. Its characteristics indicated that it corresponded to the standards of the technological process at 45 nm. Of course, against the background of the current 14 nm this number looks at least not very impressive, but at that time the best was not yet. The technology that sputtered the p-n junctions was called SOI (from the English word combination Silicon On Insulator, or, in our opinion, silicon on the dielectric). By the same method, previous generations of semiconductor chips from this manufacturer were also manufactured. As a result, from the reliability point of view, there were no significant problems and comments with the AMD Athlon II X2 250. The Processor of this model in this plan received everything only the very best that had been worked out before. The area of the silicon crystal in this case was only 117.5 mm².

The system cache memory of the CPU and its features

As noted earlier, all CPUs are middle classin 2009, a mandatory 2-level cache. AMD Athlon II X2 250 was not an exception in this respect. Its technical characteristics indicate that 256 KB in total was at the first level. They were divided into 2 equal parts of 128kb, which were tied to a specific processor core and could only interact with it. Each of these halves in 128 KB was also divided into 2 parts. Half of them (that is, 64 Kb) were used to store data, and half - for instructions of the program code being processed. Similarly, cache memory was also organized at level 2. Its total volume was 2 MB, which were divided in half between the computing resources of the central processor. That is, each core at the second level could use 1 MB for its needs. Further separation of the storage instructions and data in this case was not provided.

amd athlon ii x2 250 processor specifications

RAM and its features

As noted earlier, the AMD Athlon II X2 250 processor was equipped with a unified controllerrandom access memory. It could successfully operate both with DDR2 RAM modules (the dominant RAM standard at the time of the beginning of sales of the CPU) and with DDR3 (an updated memory modification that at that time was only beginning to appear on store shelves). According to the specifications, 1066 MHz - the maximum value of the frequency of RAM for AMD Athlon ^TM II X2 250. The processor of this model can work with less high-speed modules, and at the same time the RAM frequency will automatically decrease and the performance level of the computing system will be lower. You can also install and faster speeds. But their frequency of operation will be limited to 1066 MHz.

Thermal package. Recommendations for equipping such a CPU with a cooling system

Not bad even against the background of current processor devices, the AMD Athlon thermal and temperature parameters look ^TM II X2 250. Its characteristics in this regard were as follows: the heat pack for this silicon product is 65 W, and the maximum allowable temperature is 74 ⁰FROM. Such an acceptable value of the thermal package was achieved by substantially reworking the semiconductor chip architecture of this CPU, as well as through the use of an advanced technological process at that time. The latter factor also significantly reduced the range of operating temperatures, which in this case was in the range of 35-57 ⁰C. Even after overclocking, when executing the most complex program code, the maximum temperature value of the chip did not exceed 65. ⁰FROM. These values are valid when a complete cooler was used to cool the CPU. If you replace it with an improved system of active heat removal from third-party production, then the previously mentioned values will decrease by 5-10 ⁰FROM.

amd athlon ii x2 250 technical specifications

CPU clock speed

Native clock frequency for AMD Athlon II X2 250- 3.00 GHz. This value is easy to obtain from the specifications of this semiconductor solution. The multiplier in it is fixed and equal to 15. But the frequency of the system bus in the normal mode is 200 MHz. If we multiply 15 by 200 MHz, we get 3 000 MHz, or 3.0 GHz. There is no technology for dynamic CPU frequency control, depending on the degree of its heating, software optimization for single- or double-threaded execution and the level of complexity of the program code. Therefore, this CPU only works at a single frequency value, which is equal to 3.0 GHz.

Architectural features of a silicon crystal

In the language of computer professionals, this chipcalled DUALCORE. AMD Athlon II X2 250, as it is easy to guess from its name, includes only 2 cores for performing calculations. Technology type NT from Intel, which would allow at the software level to get twice the number of logical code processing flows, to this day is not present in AMD processors. Therefore, the operating system in this case will only see what is on the physical level, that is, only 2 threads. The code name for these cores is REGOR. This chip can function both in 32-bit computing mode and in 64-bit.

Overclocking

As noted earlier, the clock multiplierthe frequency is fixed in AMD Athlon II X2 250. Overclocking it is therefore possible only by increasing the frequency of the bus frequency of the motherboard. In normal mode, this parameter is 200 MHz. In combination with a regular cooler, this value can be increased to 235-237 MHz and the resulting frequency of operation of the CPU is 3525-3555 MHz. In percentage terms, we get an increase of 17.5-18.5%. Given the fact that this is a middle class processor, and it is not designed for overclocking, these are already excellent indicators. But you can improve the values obtained. To do this, instead of a regular cooler, you need to purchase third-party cooling systems. In this case, you can increase the frequency of the system bus already to 247-250 MHz. The chip itself will already operate at frequencies of 3705-3750 MHz. In percent, this increase will already be equal to 23.5-25%. The CPU overclocking technique in this case is as follows:

PC system unit should be a special wayis completed. This is an improved modification of the motherboard, and the maximum speed RAM, and a more powerful power supply, and a high-quality case with good air circulation.
All software before overclocking shouldto be updated, which is necessary for the stable operation of the AMD Athlon II X2 250. The driver and application software, which monitors the computer system in the first place.
In the future, in the BIOS, we lower the frequencies of allcomponents of a personal computer, except for the system bus, which we are beginning to gradually increase. After each such manipulation, we conduct a stress test of the PC with the help of special programs for stability of work. As soon as the maximum possible frequency value is reached, we increase the voltage on the CPU. Then re-increment the frequency. The maximum allowed voltage for this processor is 1.425V. It is near this value that the increase in frequency must be stopped. And this is the maximum possible value of this parameter.

Chip cost

Initially manufactured by AMD Athlon ^TM The II X2 250 was priced at $ 90. And at that time such a price of this semiconductor crystal was fully consistent with its capabilities. But now it's 2016 already in the yard, and such a CPU in the new state can still be bought from warehouse stocks at a very modest price of $ 25 (about 1,500 rubles). And you can purchase a used chip for 800-900 rubles. If we consider this processor as the basis for a cheap office system unit, then this can be a worthy choice, which combines a very democratic price and reasonable performance.

Reviews of the owners. Features of operation of the CPU

AMD with the release of a whole successful chip familyAthlon middle class in 2009 really managed to surprise both their opponents and fans. The most productive solution in this model range was exactly the AMD Athlon II X2 250 processor. The characteristics of this semiconductor chip at that time were really impressive, and the fact that this central processor has already been successfully sold for more than 5 years is an extra confirmation of this. Of course, during this time interval, this chip went down from the niche of middle-class products to the segment of entry-level solutions. The main advantages of this processor from AMD, to which its owners are turning in reviews, include:

Good level of performance.
Excellent organization of cache memory, which provides higher speed in comparison with competing products.
A decent overclocking potential, as for a CPU with a locked multiplier.
Affordable cost.
Excellent degree of energy efficiency.

The only drawback of this processorDevices are an unfortunate release time. This CPU appeared on sale in anticipation of the start of sales of the updated computing platform from Intel LGA 1156, against which it did not look so confident. Significantly better capabilities of this CPU looked when compared with the LGA775.

Outcomes

Certainly a successful product in the lineAM3 CPUs became AMD Athlon II X2 250. Its characteristics at the time of release without any problems allowed to cope with direct competitors on the basis of the socket LGA775. And both in terms of performance and energy efficiency. An additional factor that confirms the success of this processor is that it is successfully sold to this day. Only now he has moved from the middle-class CPU segment to the entry-level niche. If all AMD processors were just as successful as the hero of this review, then the situation on the microprocessor products market might be a completely different situation today. And so the success of this CPU is rather an accident than a rule.

Of course, I would like AMD to consider the success of this.processor and applied it in the framework of the new platform AM4, which should be presented at the end of 2016. At the same time, the success of this socket can drastically change the current situation in the personal computer market. If this happens, Intel will be forced to adequately respond to such an AMD move (lower prices for existing CPU models, for example). In any case, the buyer should win from such healthy competition and get a more efficient computer for less money. But this is all in theory. In practice, the answer to such a wish of the majority of users can only give time. In this case, it remains not so long to wait: about six months.