Opteron 6238 vs Core i5-6500
Opteron 6238
Core i5-6500
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 6238 is positioned at rank 61 and the Core i5-6500 is on rank 715, so the Opteron 6238 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Opteron 6238
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6500
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Opteron 6238 | Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($118) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($123) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Interlagos (2011−2012) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Opteron 6238 | Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+5%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($118) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($123) |
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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
Valorant
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Opteron 6238 and Core i5-6500
Opteron 6238
The Opteron 6238 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 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 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: 5,625 points. Launch price was $455.
Core i5-6500
The Core i5-6500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 July 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,600 points. Launch price was $192.
Processing Power
The Opteron 6238 packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-6500 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Opteron 6238 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Opteron 6238 versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-6500 — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-6500 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Opteron 6238 uses the Interlagos (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-6500 uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Opteron 6238 scores 5,625 against the Core i5-6500's 5,600 — a 0.4% lead for the Opteron 6238. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 6238 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6500.
| Feature | Opteron 6238 | Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 12+200% | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz | 3.6 GHz+12% |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz | 3.2 GHz+23% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total)+33% | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per module)+700% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Interlagos (2011−2012) | Skylake (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 5,625 | 5,600 |
Memory & Platform
The Opteron 6238 uses the G34 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-6500 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Opteron 6238 | Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | G34 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
Value Analysis
The Opteron 6238 launched at $455 MSRP, while the Core i5-6500 debuted at $239. At current prices ($118 vs $123), the Opteron 6238 is $5 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Opteron 6238 delivers 47.7 pts/$ vs 45.5 pts/$ for the Core i5-6500 — making the Opteron 6238 the 4.6% better value option.
| Feature | Opteron 6238 | Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $455 | $239-47% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $118-4% | $123 |
| Performance per Dollar | 47.7+5% | 45.5 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2015 |
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