Opteron 6220 vs Core i7-2960XM
Opteron 6220
Core i7-2960XM
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 6220 is positioned at rank 71 and the Core i7-2960XM is on rank 60, so the Core i7-2960XM offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Opteron 6220
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2960XM
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Opteron 6220 | Core i7-2960XM |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($239) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Interlagos (2011−2012) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Opteron 6220 | Core i7-2960XM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($239) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 6220 and Core i7-2960XM
Opteron 6220
The Opteron 6220 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 14 November 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Interlagos (2011−2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per module). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: G34. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,753 points. Launch price was $523.
Core i7-2960XM
The Core i7-2960XM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,709 points. Launch price was $1,096.
Processing Power
The Opteron 6220 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-2960XM offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Opteron 6220 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Opteron 6220 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-2960XM — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-2960XM (base: 3 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Opteron 6220 uses the Interlagos (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-2960XM uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Opteron 6220 scores 4,753 against the Core i7-2960XM's 4,709 — a 0.9% lead for the Opteron 6220. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Opteron 6220 | Core i7-2960XM |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 8+100% | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz | 3.7 GHz+3% |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz+11% | 2.7 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per module)+700% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Interlagos (2011−2012) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 4,753 | 4,709 |
Memory & Platform
The Opteron 6220 uses the G34 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-2960XM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Opteron 6220 | Core i7-2960XM |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | G34 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | 1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 32 |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Opteron 6220) / true (Core i7-2960XM). The Core i7-2960XM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Opteron 6220 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-2960XM rivals Core i7-2820QM.
| Feature | Opteron 6220 | Core i7-2960XM |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics 3000 |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | true |
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