Core i7-9700K vs Opteron 6348

Intel

Core i7-9700K

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2018
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Opteron 6348

12 Cores12 Thrd115 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2012
Similar parts
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Core i7-9700K vs Opteron 6348 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 i7-9700K vs Opteron 6348 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 i7-9700K vs Opteron 6348: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +73.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
  • Costs $190 less on MSRP ($385 MSRP vs $575 MSRP).
  • Delivers 173.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.4 vs 13.7 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $575 MSRP).
  • Draws 95W instead of 115W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Opteron 6348, which brings 12 cores / 12 threads.

Opteron 6348

2012

Why buy it

  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 12 threads.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (7,850 vs 14,397).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.7 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($575 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
  • 21.1% higher power demand at 115W vs 95W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9700K better than Opteron 6348?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Opteron 6348 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-9700K is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i7-9700K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 73.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-9700K is the stronger fit. You are getting 83.4% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-9700K is the better buy right now. Core i7-9700K comes in $190 cheaper on MSRP at $385 MSRP versus $575 MSRP, and it still gives you a 73.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 173.9% better value on MSRP (37.4 vs 13.7 PassMark/$), 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 i7-9700K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2012), 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 12/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-9700K vs Opteron 6348 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-9700K

The Core i7-9700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,397 points. Launch price was $374.

AMD

Opteron 6348

The Opteron 6348 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Abu Dhabi (2012) architecture. It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 12 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: G34. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,850 points. Launch price was $800.

Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Opteron 6348 offers 12 cores / 12 threads — the Opteron 6348 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 3.4 GHz on the Opteron 6348 — a 36.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Opteron 6348 uses Abu Dhabi (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Opteron 6348's 7,850 — a 58.9% lead for the Core i7-9700K. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 6348.

FeatureCore i7-9700KOpteron 6348
Cores / Threads
8 / 8
12 / 12+50%
Boost Clock
4.9 GHz+44%
3.4 GHz
Base Clock
3.6 GHz+29%
2.8 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)+50%
8 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+2033%
12 MB
Process
14 nm-56%
32 nm
Architecture
Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
Abu Dhabi (2012)
PassMark
14,397+83%
7,850
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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Opteron 6348 uses G34 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-9700KOpteron 6348
Socket
LGA1151
G34
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
16
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K) / not specified (Opteron 6348). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Opteron 6348 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

FeatureCore i7-9700KOpteron 6348
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9700K was priced at $385, while the Opteron 6348 came in at $575. On launch pricing ($385 vs $575), Core i7-9700K was $190 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 13.7 pts/$ for the Opteron 6348 — making the Core i7-9700K the 93% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-9700KOpteron 6348
MSRP
$385-33%
$575
Performance per Dollar
37.4+173%
13.7
Release Date
2018
2012

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