Opteron 252 vs Pentium D 830

AMD

Opteron 252

1 Cores1 Thrd92 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2005
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Pentium D 830

2 Cores2 Thrd130 WWMax: 3 GHz2005
Similar parts
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Opteron 252 vs Pentium D 830 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.

Opteron 252 vs Pentium D 830 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 252 vs Pentium D 830: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Opteron 252

2005

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +6.3% higher average FPS across 48 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 92W instead of 130W, a 38W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Pentium D 830.

Pentium D 830

2005

Why buy it

  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Opteron 252.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Opteron 252 across 48 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (618 vs 655).
  • Launch MSRP is still $316 MSRP, while Opteron 252 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 41.3% higher power demand at 130W vs 92W.

Quick Answers

So, is Opteron 252 better than Pentium D 830?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Opteron 252 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Pentium D 830 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 252 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.3% more average FPS across 48 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Opteron 252 is the stronger fit. You are getting 6% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 1 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Opteron 252 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Opteron 252 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $316 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.3% average FPS lead across 48 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium D 830 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2005 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (2.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA775.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Pentium D 830 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Opteron 252 vs Pentium D 830 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Opteron 252

The Opteron 252 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Fevereiro 2005 (20 years ago). It is based on the Troy (2005) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: 940. Thermal design power (TDP): 92 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 655 points. Launch price was $63.

Intel

Pentium D 830

The Pentium D 830 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 618 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Opteron 252 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Pentium D 830 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Pentium D 830 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Opteron 252 versus 3 GHz on the Pentium D 830 — a 14.3% clock advantage for the Pentium D 830. The Opteron 252 uses the Troy (2005) architecture (90 nm), while the Pentium D 830 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (90 nm). In PassMark, the Opteron 252 scores 655 against the Pentium D 830's 618 — a 5.8% lead for the Opteron 252. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

FeatureOpteron 252Pentium D 830
Cores / Threads
1 / 1
2 / 2+100%
Boost Clock
2.6 GHz
3 GHz+15%
Base Clock
3 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
0 kB
L2 Cache
1 MB
2 MB+100%
Process
90 nm
90 nm
Architecture
Troy (2005)
NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark
655+6%
618
Geekbench 6 Single
151
Geekbench 6 Multi
341
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Memory & Platform

The Opteron 252 uses the 940 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium D 830 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureOpteron 252Pentium D 830
Socket
940
LGA775
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0+82%
PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed
DDR2-667
Max RAM Capacity
4 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
16
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Opteron 252) / None (Pentium D 830). Primary use case: Pentium D 830 targets Legacy Desktop.

FeatureOpteron 252Pentium D 830
Integrated GPU
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
None
Target Use
Legacy Desktop