Core i7-3820QM vs Opteron 6274

Intel

Core i7-3820QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2012
VS
AMD

Opteron 6274

16 Cores16 Thrd115 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2011

Core i7-3820QM vs Opteron 6274 Performance Spectrum

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 i7-3820QM vs Opteron 6274 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 i7-3820QM vs Opteron 6274: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-3820QM

2012

Why buy it

  • βœ…Draws 45W instead of 115W, a 70W reduction.
  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • βœ…Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4000, while Opteron 6274 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (5,607 vs 5,643).
  • ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Opteron 6274, which brings 16 cores / 16 threads.

Opteron 6274

2011

Why buy it

  • βœ…+0.6% higher PassMark.
  • βœ…Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Launch MSRP is still $639 MSRP, while Core i7-3820QM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • ❌155.6% higher power demand at 115W vs 45W.
  • ❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-3820QM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-3820QM better than Opteron 6274?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Opteron 6274 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-3820QM 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, Opteron 6274 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 16 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-3820QM is still the faster CPU overall, but Opteron 6274 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-3820QM comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $639 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 16 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Opteron 6274 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.6% better PassMark. Opteron 6274 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (8.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i7-3820QM makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-3820QM vs Opteron 6274 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-3820QM

The Core i7-3820QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012βˆ’2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,607 points. Launch price was $498.

AMD

Opteron 6274

The Opteron 6274 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 14 November 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Interlagos (2011βˆ’2012) architecture. It features 16 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 8.00391 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: G34. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,643 points. Launch price was $909.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core i7-3820QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Opteron 6274 offers 16 cores / 16 threads β€” the Opteron 6274 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-3820QM versus 3.1 GHz on the Opteron 6274 β€” a 17.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-3820QM (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i7-3820QM uses the Ivy Bridge (2012βˆ’2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Opteron 6274 uses Interlagos (2011βˆ’2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3820QM scores 5,607 against the Opteron 6274's 5,643 β€” a 0.6% lead for the Opteron 6274. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureCore i7-3820QMOpteron 6274
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
16 / 16+300%
Boost Clock
3.7 GHz+19%
3.1 GHz
Base Clock
2.7 GHz+23%
2.2 GHz
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)
8 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+3098%
8.00391 MB (per core)
Process
22 nm-31%
32 nm
Architecture
Ivy Bridge (2012βˆ’2013)
Interlagos (2011βˆ’2012)
PassMark
5,607
5,643
Geekbench 6 Single
604
β€”
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3820QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Opteron 6274 uses G34 (PCIe 2.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-3820QMOpteron 6274
Socket
PGA988
G34
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600
β€”
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
β€”
RAM Channels
2
β€”
ECC Support
No
β€”
PCIe Lanes
16
β€”
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3820QM) / not specified (Opteron 6274). The Core i7-3820QM includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Opteron 6274 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3820QM targets High Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3820QM rivals A10-4600M.

FeatureCore i7-3820QMOpteron 6274
Integrated GPU
Yes
β€”
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 4000
β€”
Unlocked
No
β€”
AVX-512
No
β€”
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
β€”
Target Use
High Performance Laptop
β€”