Opteron 146 vs Xeon 3.06

Opteron 146 vs Xeon 3.06 Performance Spectrum

Opteron 146

1 / 1

505

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Xeon 3.06

1 / 1

535

+5.9%

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.

Opteron 146 vs Xeon 3.06 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.

Opteron 146 vs Xeon 3.06: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Opteron 146

2003

Why buy it

✅Draws 89W instead of 97W, a 8W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (505 vs 535).

Xeon 3.06

2003

Why buy it

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon 3.06 better than Opteron 146?

Yes. Xeon 3.06 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 5.9% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon 3.06 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.3% 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, Xeon 3.06 is the stronger fit. You are getting 5.9% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 1 threads.

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

Xeon 3.06 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon 3.06 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Xeon 3.06 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 1 cores / 1 threads instead of 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Opteron 146 vs Xeon 3.06 Technical Specifications

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

Opteron 146

The Opteron 146 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Setembro 2003 (22 years ago). It is based on the SledgeHammer (2003−2005) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 130 nm process technology. Socket: 940. Thermal design power (TDP): 89 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 505 points. Launch price was $60.

Xeon 3.06

The Xeon 3.06 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Gallatin (2003−2004) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 3.07 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 130 nm process technology. Socket: PGA604. Thermal design power (TDP): 97 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 535 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Opteron 146 and Xeon 3.06 share an identical 1-core/1-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Opteron 146 versus 3.07 GHz on the Xeon 3.06 — a 42.2% clock advantage for the Xeon 3.06. The Opteron 146 uses the SledgeHammer (2003−2005) architecture (130 nm), while the Xeon 3.06 uses Gallatin (2003−2004) (130 nm). In PassMark, the Opteron 146 scores 505 against the Xeon 3.06's 535 — a 5.8% lead for the Xeon 3.06. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Opteron 146 vs 2 MB on the Xeon 3.06.

Feature	Opteron 146	Xeon 3.06
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	1 / 1
Boost Clock	2 GHz	3.07 GHz+53%
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB+100%	512 kB
Process	130 nm	130 nm
Architecture	SledgeHammer (2003−2005)	Gallatin (2003−2004)
PassMark	505	535+6%

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Memory & Platform

The Opteron 146 uses the 940 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon 3.06 uses PGA604 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.