CPU
GPU
Opteron 3250 HE
Core 2 Duo SL9600
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Opteron 3250 HE is positioned at rank 253 and the Core 2 Duo SL9600 is on rank 1177, so the Opteron 3250 HE offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Opteron 3250 HE
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo SL9600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Opteron 3250 HE | Core 2 Duo SL9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($316) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Zurich (2012) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Opteron 3250 HE | Core 2 Duo SL9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($316) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Opteron 3250 HE and Core 2 Duo SL9600
Opteron 3250 HE
The Opteron 3250 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 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: 2,061 points. Launch price was $99.
Core 2 Duo SL9600
The Core 2 Duo SL9600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 2.13 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,054 points. Launch price was $316.
Processing Power
The Opteron 3250 HE packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Duo SL9600 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Opteron 3250 HE has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Opteron 3250 HE versus 2.13 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SL9600 — a 48.7% clock advantage for the Opteron 3250 HE (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.13 GHz). The Opteron 3250 HE uses the Zurich (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core 2 Duo SL9600 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Opteron 3250 HE scores 2,061 against the Core 2 Duo SL9600's 2,054 — a 0.3% lead for the Opteron 3250 HE. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Opteron 3250 HE vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SL9600.
| Feature | Opteron 3250 HE | Core 2 Duo SL9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz+64% | 2.13 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz+17% | 2.13 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 6 MB L2 Cache+50% |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB | 6 MB+50% |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Zurich (2012) | Penryn (2008−2011) |
| PassMark | 2,061 | 2,054 |
Memory & Platform
The Opteron 3250 HE uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo SL9600 uses BGA956 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Opteron 3250 HE | Core 2 Duo SL9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3+ | BGA956 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Opteron 3250 HE) / VT-x, VT-d (Core 2 Duo SL9600). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo SL9600 targets Mobile.
| Feature | Opteron 3250 HE | Core 2 Duo SL9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Mobile |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Opteron 3250 HE and Core 2 Duo SL9600
