Core i5-4690K vs Opteron 6238

Core i5-4690K vs Opteron 6238 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-4690K

4 / 4

5,689

+1.1%

5,625

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX

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 i5-4690K vs Opteron 6238 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 i5-4690K vs Opteron 6238: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4690K

2014

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $212 less on MSRP ($243 MSRP vs $455 MSRP).
✅Delivers 89.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 23.4 vs 12.4 PassMark/$ ($243 MSRP vs $455 MSRP).
✅Draws 88W instead of 115W, a 27W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Opteron 6238 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Opteron 6238, which brings 12 cores / 12 threads.

Opteron 6238

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 12 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,625 vs 5,689).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.4 vs 23.4 PassMark/$ ($455 MSRP vs $243 MSRP).
❌30.7% higher power demand at 115W vs 88W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4690K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4690K better than Opteron 6238?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Opteron 6238 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-4690K is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4690K is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4690K is the better buy right now. Core i5-4690K comes in $212 cheaper on MSRP at $243 MSRP versus $455 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Opteron 6238 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 13.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 89.4% better value on MSRP (23.4 vs 12.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-4690K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 12/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4690K vs Opteron 6238 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4690K

The Core i5-4690K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 88 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,689 points. Launch price was $300.

Opteron 6238

The Opteron 6238 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 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 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: 5,625 points. Launch price was $455.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-4690K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Opteron 6238 offers 12 cores / 12 threads — the Opteron 6238 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-4690K versus 3.2 GHz on the Opteron 6238 — a 19.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-4690K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i5-4690K uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Opteron 6238 uses Interlagos (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4690K scores 5,689 against the Opteron 6238's 5,625 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-4690K. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-4690K vs 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 6238.

Feature	Core i5-4690K	Opteron 6238
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	12 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+22%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+35%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2 MB (per module)+700%
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Interlagos (2011−2012)
PassMark	5,689+1%	5,625

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4690K uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Opteron 6238 uses G34 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4690K	Opteron 6238
Socket	LGA1150	G34
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-4690K) / not specified (Opteron 6238). The Core i5-4690K includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Opteron 6238 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4690K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-4690K	Opteron 6238
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4600	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-4690K was priced at $243, while the Opteron 6238 came in at $455. On launch pricing ($243 vs $455), Core i5-4690K was $212 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4690K delivers 23.4 pts/$ vs 12.4 pts/$ for the Opteron 6238 — making the Core i5-4690K the 61.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-4690K	Opteron 6238
MSRP	$243-47%	$455
Performance per Dollar	23.4+89%	12.4
Release Date	2014	2011

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