Core M-5Y31 vs Opteron X2170

Core M-5Y31 vs Opteron X2170 Performance Spectrum

Core M-5Y31

2 / 4

1,905

0.0%

1,911

+0.3%

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 M-5Y31 vs Opteron X2170 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 M-5Y31 vs Opteron X2170: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core M-5Y31

2014

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Opteron X2170 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,905 vs 1,911).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Opteron X2170, which brings 4 cores / 4 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $281 MSRP, while Opteron X2170 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1948% higher power demand at 512W vs 25W.

Opteron X2170

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 4 threads.
✅Draws 25W instead of 512W, a 487W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Opteron X2170 better than Core M-5Y31?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Opteron X2170 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core M-5Y31 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Opteron X2170 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.2% 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, Opteron X2170 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Opteron X2170 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Opteron X2170 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core M-5Y31 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 3.2% in the shared gaming data.

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

Opteron X2170 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core M-5Y31 vs Opteron X2170 Technical Specifications

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

Core M-5Y31

The Core M-5Y31 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 October 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-Y (2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 0.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1234. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,905 points. Launch price was $69.

Opteron X2170

The Opteron X2170 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Steppe Eagle (2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FT3. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,911 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core M-5Y31 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Opteron X2170 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Opteron X2170 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core M-5Y31 versus 2.4 GHz on the Opteron X2170 — identical boost frequencies (base: 0.9 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core M-5Y31 uses the Broadwell-Y (2014) architecture (14 nm), while the Opteron X2170 uses Steppe Eagle (2016) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core M-5Y31 scores 1,905 against the Opteron X2170's 1,911 — a 0.3% lead for the Opteron X2170. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core M-5Y31 vs 0 kB on the Opteron X2170.

Feature	Core M-5Y31	Opteron X2170
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	0.9 GHz	2.4 GHz+167%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB (total)
Process	14 nm-50%	28 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-Y (2014)	Steppe Eagle (2016)
PassMark	1,905	1,911

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Memory & Platform

The Core M-5Y31 uses the FCBGA1234 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Opteron X2170 uses FT3 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.