AMD E-240
AMD E-240: An Outdated Processor for Basic Tasks in 2025
Introduction
The AMD E-240 processor, released in 2011, became part of the budget mobile solutions line based on the Bobcat architecture. Despite its venerable age, these chips can still be found in used laptops or devices from old stock. In 2025, it only has niche relevance. Let’s explore who might find this processor useful and what alternatives are worth considering.
Architecture and Process Technology: A Look Back
Single Core, 40 nm, and Modest Frequencies
The AMD E-240 is built on a 40 nm process technology, which was standard in 2011 but now looks archaic (modern chips use 5-7 nm). It is a single-core processor with a frequency of 1.5 GHz, without support for multithreading (1 core / 1 thread). The Bobcat architecture was designed for low power consumption but significantly lagged behind Intel Atom in performance.
Integrated Graphics Radeon HD 6310
The iGPU Radeon HD 6310 is the only advantage of the E-240. The graphics support DirectX 11 and can theoretically run simple games like Minecraft or Half-Life 2 at low settings (15-20 FPS). However, for video resolutions above 720p or streaming services (Netflix, YouTube), there may be lag due to the lack of hardware decoding for modern codecs (e.g., VP9 or AV1).
Power Consumption and TDP: Moderate Efficiency
The processor's TDP is 18 W, which is considered high for ultra-budget systems in 2025. For instance, the modern Intel N100 (7 nm) offers 3-4 times the performance with a TDP of just 6 W.
The E-240 does not support advanced power-saving technologies like adaptive core switching or deep sleep. However, in idle mode, it reduces its frequency to 800 MHz, which extends battery life slightly.
Performance: Bare Minimum for Survival
Tests and Real-World Tasks
- Office Work: Basic tasks such as Word, Excel, or browsing with 2-3 tabs are feasible, but with caveats. Loading a heavy website (e.g., Google Docs with graphs) will cause noticeable slowdowns.
- Multimedia: Playing 720p videos is possible, but 1080p (especially in a browser) will push the CPU to 90-100%.
- Gaming: Only older titles — CS: Source, Terraria. Even League of Legends on minimum settings will run at around 15-20 FPS.
Geekbench 6 shows modest results:
- Single-Core: 292 (for comparison: Intel N100 — ~1100).
- Multi-Core: 479 (Intel N100 — ~2300).
Turbo mode is absent; the frequency is fixed at 1.5 GHz.
Use Cases: Who is E-240 Suitable for in 2025?
1. Seniors and Children: For checking emails, reading news, or working with text.
2. Backup Laptop: As a temporary device in case the primary one breaks down.
3. Electronic Kiosks/Terminals: In commercial systems where high performance is not required.
Not Suitable For:
- Online conferences (Zoom, Teams) — insufficient power for video processing.
- Modern OS: Windows 11 is officially unsupported, and on Linux, a lightweight build (Lubuntu, XFCE) is necessary.
Battery Life: Modest Performance
Laptops with the E-240 were equipped with 30-40 Wh batteries, providing 3-4 hours of operation under moderate load. By 2025, even budget devices (like those powered by AMD Athlon Silver 7120U) offer 8-10 hours of battery life thanks to 6 nm process technology and optimizations.
The E-240 uses only basic power-saving methods:
- Dynamic frequency scaling.
- Disabling unused components of the iGPU.
Comparison with Competitors: A Losing Battle on All Fronts
AMD vs. Intel (2011–2025)
- Contemporary (2011): Intel Atom N550 (2 cores / 4 threads, TDP 8.5 W) — better multitasking but weaker graphics.
- 2025:
- AMD Athlon Silver 7120U (2 cores / 2 threads, 6 nm, Zen 2): 5 times faster in single-threaded tasks.
- Intel Processor N100 (4 cores / 4 threads, 7 nm): Ideal for office and YouTube.
- Apple M1 (in used MacBook Air): Even used models for $400 outperform the E-240 by 10 times.
Pros and Cons
Strengths:
- Extremely low cost: Used laptops priced between $50-$100.
- Sufficient for elementary tasks.
Weaknesses:
- No support for modern instructions (AVX, AES-NI).
- Maximum of 8 GB RAM (DDR3-1066).
- No upgrades: Socket FT1 is incompatible with new chips.
Recommendations for Choosing a Laptop
If you still decide to buy a device with the E-240:
1. Type of Device: Ultra-budget laptop (e.g., HP Pavilion DM1 or Acer Aspire One).
2. Mandatory Upgrades:
- Install an SSD instead of an HDD.
- Add 4-8 GB of RAM.
- Choose Linux (Lubuntu) instead of Windows 10.
3. Price: New devices with the E-240 are no longer produced, but on the secondary market — around $100.
Modern Alternatives:
- Laptops priced at $200-$300: Lenovo IdeaPad 1 (AMD 3015Ce, 4 GB, 128 GB) — adequate performance for 2025.
- Tablets: Xiaomi Pad 6 (Snapdragon 870) — more powerful and energy-efficient.
Final Conclusion: Who is E-240 For?
In 2025, the AMD E-240 is an option for those needing a maximally inexpensive computer for basic tasks. It is suitable for:
- A "one-season" purchase before acquiring a modern device.
- Specific tasks (e.g., a terminal for old software).
Key Benefits:
- Practically free on the secondary market.
- Repairability: Replacing parts is simple and cheap.
However, for the majority of users, it makes more sense to invest $200-$300 in a new laptop with a processor from 2023-2024 — it will save nerves and time.