Core i3-7100T vs Opteron 3280
Core i3-7100T
Opteron 3280
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-7100T is positioned at rank 568 and the Opteron 3280 is on rank 93, so the Opteron 3280 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-7100T
Performance Per Dollar Opteron 3280
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-7100T | Opteron 3280 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($39) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Zurich (2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-7100T | Opteron 3280 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($39) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-7100T and Opteron 3280
Core i3-7100T
The Core i3-7100T 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 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,763 points. Launch price was $117.
Opteron 3280
The Opteron 3280 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Zurich (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,783 points. Launch price was $229.
Processing Power
The Core i3-7100T packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Opteron 3280 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Opteron 3280 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-7100T versus 3.5 GHz on the Opteron 3280 — a 2.9% clock advantage for the Opteron 3280 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-7100T uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Opteron 3280 uses Zurich (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7100T scores 3,763 against the Opteron 3280's 3,783 — a 0.5% lead for the Opteron 3280. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-7100T vs 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 3280.
| Feature | Core i3-7100T | Opteron 3280 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 8 / 8+300% |
| Boost Clock | 3.4 GHz | 3.5 GHz+3% |
| Base Clock | 3.4 GHz+36% | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 8 MB (total)+167% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 8 MB+3100% |
| Process | 14 nm-56% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) | Zurich (2012) |
| PassMark | 3,763 | 3,783 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,157 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 2,500 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-7100T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Opteron 3280 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-7100T | Opteron 3280 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✅ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-7100T) / not specified (Opteron 3280). The Core i3-7100T includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 630), while the Opteron 3280 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7100T targets Low Power Desktop.
| Feature | Core i3-7100T | Opteron 3280 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 630 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Low Power Desktop | — |
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