Core i3-7100 vs Opteron 3380

Core i3-7100 vs Opteron 3380 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-7100

2 / 4

4,306

0.0%

4,358

+1.2%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-7100 vs Opteron 3380 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-7100 vs Opteron 3380: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-7100

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $112 less on MSRP ($117 MSRP vs $229 MSRP).
✅Delivers 93.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 36.8 vs 19.0 PassMark/$ ($117 MSRP vs $229 MSRP).
✅Draws 51W instead of 65W, a 14W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while Opteron 3380 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Opteron 3380 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,306 vs 4,358).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Opteron 3380, which brings 8 cores / 8 threads.

Opteron 3380

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.0 vs 36.8 PassMark/$ ($229 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).
❌27.5% higher power demand at 65W vs 51W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-7100 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Opteron 3380 better than Core i3-7100?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Opteron 3380 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i3-7100 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Opteron 3380 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Opteron 3380 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Opteron 3380 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Opteron 3380 comes in 95.7% more expensive on MSRP at $229 MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-7100 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 93.4% better value on paper (36.8 vs 19.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-7100 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-7100 vs Opteron 3380 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-7100

The Core i3-7100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,306 points. Launch price was $117.

Opteron 3380

The Opteron 3380 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Delhi (2012−2013) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,358 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-7100 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Opteron 3380 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Opteron 3380 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-7100 versus 3.6 GHz on the Opteron 3380 — a 8% clock advantage for the Core i3-7100 (base: 3.9 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i3-7100 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Opteron 3380 uses Delhi (2012−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7100 scores 4,306 against the Opteron 3380's 4,358 — a 1.2% lead for the Opteron 3380. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-7100 vs 8192 kB (total) on the Opteron 3380.

Feature	Core i3-7100	Opteron 3380
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	8 / 8+300%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+8%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.9 GHz+50%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	8192 kB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	8192 kB+3100%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Delhi (2012−2013)
PassMark	4,306	4,358+1%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7100 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Opteron 3380 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-7100	Opteron 3380
Socket	LGA1151	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-7100) / not specified (Opteron 3380). The Core i3-7100 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Opteron 3380 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7100 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i3-7100	Opteron 3380
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-7100 was priced at $117, while the Opteron 3380 came in at $229. On launch pricing ($117 vs $229), Core i3-7100 was $112 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-7100 delivers 36.8 pts/$ vs 19.0 pts/$ for the Opteron 3380 — making the Core i3-7100 the 63.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-7100	Opteron 3380
MSRP	$117-49%	$229
Performance per Dollar	36.8+94%	19.0
Release Date	2017	2012

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