Core i7-4790 vs Opteron 6281
Core i7-4790
Opteron 6281
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 i7-4790 is positioned at rank 762 and the Opteron 6281 is on rank 44, so the Opteron 6281 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-4790
Performance Per Dollar Opteron 6281
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-4790 | Opteron 6281 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($60) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($419) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Interlagos (2011−2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-4790 | Opteron 6281 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+597%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($60) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($419) |
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 i7-4790 and Opteron 6281
Core i7-4790
The Core i7-4790 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 84 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,263 points. Launch price was $303.
Opteron 6281
The Opteron 6281 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Interlagos (2011−2012) architecture. It features 16 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 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): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,279 points. Launch price was $988.
Processing Power
The Core i7-4790 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Opteron 6281 offers 16 cores / 16 threads — the Opteron 6281 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-4790 versus 3.2 GHz on the Opteron 6281 — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-4790 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i7-4790 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Opteron 6281 uses Interlagos (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4790 scores 7,263 against the Opteron 6281's 7,279 — a 0.2% lead for the Opteron 6281. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i7-4790 | Opteron 6281 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 16 / 16+300% |
| Boost Clock | 4 GHz+25% | 3.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+44% | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 2 MB (per module)+700% |
| Process | 22 nm-31% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Haswell (2013−2015) | Interlagos (2011−2012) |
| PassMark | 7,263 | 7,279 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-4790 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Opteron 6281 uses G34 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-4790 | Opteron 6281 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | G34 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-4790 launched at $339 MSRP, while the Opteron 6281 debuted at $988. At current prices ($60 vs $419), the Core i7-4790 is $359 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4790 delivers 121.0 pts/$ vs 17.4 pts/$ for the Opteron 6281 — making the Core i7-4790 the 149.8% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-4790 | Opteron 6281 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $339-66% | $988 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $60-86% | $419 |
| Performance per Dollar | 121.0+595% | 17.4 |
| Release Date | 2014 | 2012 |
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