Opteron 3280 vs Xeon E5630

Opteron 3280 vs Xeon E5630 Performance Spectrum

Opteron 3280

8 / 8

3,783

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Xeon E5630

4 / 8

3,785

+0.1%

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 3280 vs Xeon E5630 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 3280 vs Xeon E5630: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Opteron 3280

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 80W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,783 vs 3,785).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).

Xeon E5630

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌23.1% higher power demand at 80W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Opteron 3280 better than Xeon E5630?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Opteron 3280 is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5630 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Xeon E5630 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5630 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Opteron 3280 still makes the most sense overall. Opteron 3280 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Opteron 3280 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Opteron 3280 vs Xeon E5630 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon E5630

The Xeon E5630 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,785 points. Launch price was $73.

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Processing Power

The Opteron 3280 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5630 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Opteron 3280 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Opteron 3280 versus 2.8 GHz on the Xeon E5630 — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Opteron 3280 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Opteron 3280 uses the Zurich (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5630 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Opteron 3280 scores 3,783 against the Xeon E5630's 3,785 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E5630. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 3280 vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon E5630.

Feature	Opteron 3280	Xeon E5630
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+100%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+25%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.53 GHz+1%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	8 MB+3100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Zurich (2012)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	3,783	3,785

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Memory & Platform

The Opteron 3280 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5630 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.