Opteron 3250 HE vs Xeon E7-8890 v4

AMD

Opteron 3250 HE

4 Cores4 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2012
VS
Intel

Xeon E7-8890 v4

24 Cores48 Thrd165 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2016

Opteron 3250 HE vs Xeon E7-8890 v4 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 3250 HE vs Xeon E7-8890 v4 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 3250 HE vs Xeon E7-8890 v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Opteron 3250 HE

2012

Why buy it

  • βœ…+0.3% higher PassMark.
  • βœ…Draws 45W instead of 165W, a 120W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E7-8890 v4 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 60 MB).

Xeon E7-8890 v4

2016

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +6.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+1400% larger total L3 cache (60 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (2,054 vs 2,061).
  • ❌266.7% higher power demand at 165W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Opteron 3250 HE better than Xeon E7-8890 v4?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E7-8890 v4 is ahead with a 6.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Opteron 3250 HE pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Xeon E7-8890 v4 also has the bigger cache pool with 1400% larger total L3 cache (60 MB vs 4 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Opteron 3250 HE 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 3250 HE still makes the most sense overall. Opteron 3250 HE comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon E7-8890 v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2012) and 1400% larger total L3 cache (60 MB vs 4 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Opteron 3250 HE vs Xeon E7-8890 v4 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

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.

Intel

Xeon E7-8890 v4

The Xeon E7-8890 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015βˆ’2019) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 60 MB. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333, DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,054 points. Launch price was $7,174.

⚑

Processing Power

The Opteron 3250 HE packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E7-8890 v4 offers 24 cores / 48 threads β€” the Xeon E7-8890 v4 has 20 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Opteron 3250 HE versus 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E7-8890 v4 β€” a 2.9% clock advantage for the Opteron 3250 HE (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Opteron 3250 HE uses the Zurich (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E7-8890 v4 uses Broadwell (2015βˆ’2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Opteron 3250 HE scores 2,061 against the Xeon E7-8890 v4's 2,054 β€” a 0.3% lead for the Opteron 3250 HE. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Opteron 3250 HE vs 60 MB on the Xeon E7-8890 v4.

FeatureOpteron 3250 HEXeon E7-8890 v4
Cores / Threads
4 / 4
24 / 48+500%
Boost Clock
3.5 GHz+3%
3.4 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz+14%
2.2 GHz
L3 Cache
4 MB (total)
60 MB+1400%
L2 Cache
4 MB
6 MB+50%
Process
32 nm
14 nm-56%
Architecture
Zurich (2012)
Broadwell (2015βˆ’2019)
PassMark
2,061
2,054
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Opteron 3250 HE uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E7-8890 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureOpteron 3250 HEXeon E7-8890 v4
Socket
AM3+
LGA2011
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%