Core i5-2500 vs Opteron 6234
Core i5-2500
Opteron 6234
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 i5-2500 is positioned at rank 922 and the Opteron 6234 is on rank 85, so the Opteron 6234 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2500
Performance Per Dollar Opteron 6234
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-2500 | Opteron 6234 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($69) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($141) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Interlagos (2011−2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-2500 | Opteron 6234 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+106%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($69) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($141) |
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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
Valorant
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-2500 and Opteron 6234
Core i5-2500
The Core i5-2500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,102 points. Launch price was $85.
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 i5-2500 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Opteron 6234 offers 12 cores / 12 threads — the Opteron 6234 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-2500 versus 3 GHz on the Opteron 6234 — a 20.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-2500 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-2500 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Opteron 6234 uses Interlagos (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2500 scores 4,102 against the Opteron 6234's 4,072 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-2500. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2500 vs 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 6234.
| Feature | Core i5-2500 | Opteron 6234 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 12 / 12+200% |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz+23% | 3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz+38% | 2.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6144 kB (total) | 8 MB (total)+33% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 2 MB (per module)+700% |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Interlagos (2011−2012) |
| PassMark | 4,102 | 4,072 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 2,642 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 590 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,690 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-2500 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Opteron 6234 uses G34 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-2500 | Opteron 6234 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | G34 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2500) / not specified (Opteron 6234). The Core i5-2500 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2000), while the Opteron 6234 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2500 targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core i5-2500 | Opteron 6234 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 2000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-2500 launched at $294 MSRP, while the Opteron 6234 debuted at $377. At current prices ($69 vs $141), the Core i5-2500 is $72 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-2500 delivers 59.4 pts/$ vs 28.9 pts/$ for the Opteron 6234 — making the Core i5-2500 the 69.2% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-2500 | Opteron 6234 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $294-22% | $377 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $69-51% | $141 |
| Performance per Dollar | 59.4+106% | 28.9 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2011 |
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