Core i7-2720QM vs Opteron 6234
Core i7-2720QM
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 i7-2720QM is positioned at rank 1062 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 i7-2720QM
Performance Per Dollar Opteron 6234
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-2720QM | Opteron 6234 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($378) | ✅ More affordable ($141) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Interlagos (2011−2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-2720QM | Opteron 6234 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+172%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($378) | ✅ More affordable ($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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-2720QM and Opteron 6234
Core i7-2720QM
The Core i7-2720QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,015 points. Launch price was $378.
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 i7-2720QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Opteron 6234 offers 12 cores / 12 threads — the Opteron 6234 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-2720QM versus 3 GHz on the Opteron 6234 — a 9.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-2720QM (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i7-2720QM uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Opteron 6234 uses Interlagos (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2720QM scores 4,015 against the Opteron 6234's 4,072 — a 1.4% lead for the Opteron 6234. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-2720QM vs 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 6234.
| Feature | Core i7-2720QM | Opteron 6234 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 12 / 12+200% |
| Boost Clock | 3.3 GHz+10% | 3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.2 GHz | 2.4 GHz+9% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 8 MB (total)+33% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 2 MB (per module)+700% |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Interlagos (2011−2012) |
| PassMark | 4,015 | 4,072+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 700 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 2,600 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-2720QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Opteron 6234 uses G34 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-2720QM | Opteron 6234 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | G34 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-2720QM) / not specified (Opteron 6234). The Core i7-2720QM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Opteron 6234 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2720QM targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-2720QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.
| Feature | Core i7-2720QM | Opteron 6234 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 3000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Performance Laptop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-2720QM launched at $378 MSRP, while the Opteron 6234 debuted at $377.
| Feature | Core i7-2720QM | Opteron 6234 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $378 | $377 |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $141 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2011 |
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