Core i7-940XM vs Opteron 3260 HE

Core i7-940XM vs Opteron 3260 HE Performance Spectrum

Core i7-940XM

4 / 8

2,269

0.0%

2,283

+0.6%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 i7-940XM vs Opteron 3260 HE 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 i7-940XM vs Opteron 3260 HE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-940XM

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.1% higher average FPS across 48 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,269 vs 2,283).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,096 MSRP, while Opteron 3260 HE mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌22.2% higher power demand at 55W vs 45W.

Opteron 3260 HE

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 45W instead of 55W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-940XM across 48 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Opteron 3260 HE better than Core i7-940XM?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Opteron 3260 HE makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-940XM 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 3260 HE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Opteron 3260 HE is still the much better call for a fresh build. Opteron 3260 HE comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,096 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. Core i7-940XM only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (2.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.

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

Opteron 3260 HE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-940XM vs Opteron 3260 HE Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-940XM

The Core i7-940XM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 3.33 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 2,269 points. Launch price was $1,096.

Opteron 3260 HE

The Opteron 3260 HE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Zurich (2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,283 points. Launch price was $125.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-940XM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Opteron 3260 HE's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.33 GHz on the Core i7-940XM versus 3.7 GHz on the Opteron 3260 HE — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Opteron 3260 HE (base: 2.13 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i7-940XM uses the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Opteron 3260 HE uses Zurich (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-940XM scores 2,269 against the Opteron 3260 HE's 2,283 — a 0.6% lead for the Opteron 3260 HE. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-940XM vs 4 MB (total) on the Opteron 3260 HE.

Feature	Core i7-940XM	Opteron 3260 HE
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.33 GHz	3.7 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2.13 GHz	2.7 GHz+27%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+100%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	4 MB+1500%
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Clarksfield (2009−2010)	Zurich (2012)
PassMark	2,269	2,283

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-940XM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Opteron 3260 HE uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.