CPU
GPU
Opteron 3280
Core i3-7100T
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 3280 is positioned at rank 93 and the Core i3-7100T is on rank 568, so the Opteron 3280 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Opteron 3280
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-7100T
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Opteron 3280 | Core i3-7100T |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($39) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Zurich (2012) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Opteron 3280 | Core i3-7100T |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($39) |
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 3280 and Core i3-7100T
Opteron 3280
The Opteron 3280 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Zurich (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,783 points. Launch price was $229.
Core i3-7100T
The Core i3-7100T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,763 points. Launch price was $117.
Processing Power
The Opteron 3280 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i3-7100T offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Opteron 3280 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Opteron 3280 versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-7100T — a 2.9% clock advantage for the Opteron 3280 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Opteron 3280 uses the Zurich (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-7100T uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Opteron 3280 scores 3,783 against the Core i3-7100T's 3,763 — a 0.5% lead for the Opteron 3280. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 3280 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-7100T.
| Feature | Opteron 3280 | Core i3-7100T |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 8+300% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz+3% | 3.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 3.4 GHz+36% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total)+167% | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 8 MB+3100% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Zurich (2012) | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) |
| PassMark | 3,783 | 3,763 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,157 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 2,500 |
Memory & Platform
The Opteron 3280 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-7100T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Opteron 3280 | Core i3-7100T |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3+ | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-2400 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Opteron 3280) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-7100T). The Core i3-7100T includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 630), while the Opteron 3280 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7100T targets Low Power Desktop.
| Feature | Opteron 3280 | Core i3-7100T |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Low Power Desktop |
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