The AMD Opteron 242 was a server/workstation processor with 1 core, launched in May 2004. It is part of the Opteron lineup, using the SledgeHammer (CG) architecture with Socket 940. Opteron 242 has 1 MB of L2 cache and operates at 1600 MHz. AMD is making the Opteron 242 on a 130 nm production node using 106 million transistors. The multiplier is locked on Opteron 242, which limits its overclocking potential.
With a TDP of 82 W, the Opteron 242 consumes a good deal of power, so decent cooling is needed. For communication with other components in the machine, Opteron 242 uses a PCI-Express Gen 2 connection. This processor lacks integrated graphics, you might need a graphics card.
Neither SSE3 nor SSE4 instruction sets are supported, which will lead to problems with games not starting.