CPU
GPU
Opteron 3250 HE
Core 2 Quad Q8400
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 Quad Q8400 is on rank 975, 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 Quad Q8400
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Opteron 3250 HE | Core 2 Quad Q8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($128) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Zurich (2012) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Opteron 3250 HE | Core 2 Quad Q8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($128) |
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 Quad Q8400
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 Quad Q8400
The Core 2 Quad Q8400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 0.67 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,076 points. Launch price was $249.
Processing Power
Both the Opteron 3250 HE and Core 2 Quad Q8400 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Opteron 3250 HE versus 0.67 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q8400 — a 135.7% clock advantage for the Opteron 3250 HE (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Opteron 3250 HE uses the Zurich (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core 2 Quad Q8400 uses Yorkfield (2007−2009) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Opteron 3250 HE scores 2,061 against the Core 2 Quad Q8400's 2,076 — a 0.7% lead for the Core 2 Quad Q8400. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Opteron 3250 HE vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q8400.
| Feature | Opteron 3250 HE | Core 2 Quad Q8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz+422% | 0.67 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 2.66 GHz+6% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB | 4 MB (total) |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Zurich (2012) | Yorkfield (2007−2009) |
| PassMark | 2,061 | 2,076 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 852 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 369 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,155 |
Memory & Platform
The Opteron 3250 HE uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Quad Q8400 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Opteron 3250 HE | Core 2 Quad Q8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3+ | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3 1333 MHz |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Opteron 3250 HE) / true (Core 2 Quad Q8400). Primary use case: Core 2 Quad Q8400 targets Desktop.
| Feature | Opteron 3250 HE | Core 2 Quad Q8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | true |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
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