Core i3-7130U
VS
Opteron 6234

Core i3-7130U vs Opteron 6234

Intel

Core i3-7130U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2017
VS
AMD

Opteron 6234

12 Cores12 Thrd115 WWMax: 3 GHz2011

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 i3-7130U is positioned at rank 641 and the Opteron 6234 is on rank 85, so the Opteron 6234 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-7130U

#188
Core i7-10870H
MSRP: $417|Avg: N/A
100%
#629
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
868%
#630
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
856%
#631
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
785%
#632
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
782%
#633
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
775%
#635
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
748%
#636
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
717%
#637
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
716%
#638
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
697%
#641
Core i3-7130U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#650
Core i5-1345UE
MSRP: $312|Avg: $312
98%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Opteron 6234

#1
Xeon Platinum 8454H
MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A
2041%
#6
Xeon Gold 6240R
MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A
385%
#10
Xeon 6337P
MSRP: $60|Avg: $5
342%
#15
EPYC 9174F
MSRP: $194|Avg: $30
265%
#66
EPYC 4585PX
MSRP: $699|Avg: $826
99%
#67
EPYC 4545P
MSRP: $549|Avg: $595
97%
#71
Ryzen 7 PRO 7745
MSRP: $400|Avg: $343
86%
#73
EPYC 4484PX
MSRP: $599|Avg: $599
83%
#85
Opteron 6234
MSRP: $377|Avg: $141
100%
#86
Xeon E7330
MSRP: $64|Avg: $60
100%
#88
Opteron 6212
MSRP: $266|Avg: N/A
98%
#90
Opteron 4334
MSRP: $204|Avg: $130
97%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-7130U (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightCore i3-7130UOpteron 6234
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($141)
Longevity
✨ Modern (Kaby Lake-U (2017) / 14 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Interlagos (2011−2012) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Opteron 6234 (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightCore i3-7130UOpteron 6234
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($141)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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 i3-7130U and Opteron 6234

Intel

Core i3-7130U

The Core i3-7130U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-U (2017) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,055 points. Launch price was $281.

AMD

Opteron 6234

The Opteron 6234 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 14 November 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Interlagos (2011−2012) architecture. It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per module). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: G34. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,072 points. Launch price was $377.

Processing Power

The Core i3-7130U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Opteron 6234 offers 12 cores / 12 threads — the Opteron 6234 has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i3-7130U versus 3 GHz on the Opteron 6234 — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Opteron 6234 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i3-7130U uses the Kaby Lake-U (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Opteron 6234 uses Interlagos (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7130U scores 4,055 against the Opteron 6234's 4,072 — a 0.4% lead for the Opteron 6234. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-7130U vs 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 6234.

FeatureCore i3-7130UOpteron 6234
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
12 / 12+500%
Boost Clock
2.7 GHz
3 GHz+11%
Base Clock
2.7 GHz+13%
2.4 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB
8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache
512 kB
2 MB (per module)+300%
Process
14 nm-56%
32 nm
Architecture
Kaby Lake-U (2017)
Interlagos (2011−2012)
PassMark
4,055
4,072
Geekbench 6 Single
900
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7130U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Opteron 6234 uses G34 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i3-7130UOpteron 6234
Socket
BGA1356
G34
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
12
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7130U) / not specified (Opteron 6234). The Core i3-7130U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 620), while the Opteron 6234 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7130U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-7130U rivals Ryzen 3 3250U.

FeatureCore i3-7130UOpteron 6234
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 620
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Mainstream Laptop