Opteron 6238 vs Xeon E3-1220 v6

Opteron 6238 vs Xeon E3-1220 v6 Performance Spectrum

Opteron 6238

12 / 12

5,625

+0.6%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Xeon E3-1220 v6

4 / 4

5,589

0.0%

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 6238 vs Xeon E3-1220 v6 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 6238 vs Xeon E3-1220 v6: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Opteron 6238

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +28.8% higher average FPS across 34 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.4 vs 15.0 PassMark/$ ($455 MSRP vs $372 MSRP).
❌59.7% higher power demand at 115W vs 72W.

Xeon E3-1220 v6

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $83 less on MSRP ($372 MSRP vs $455 MSRP).
✅Delivers 21.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 15.0 vs 12.4 PassMark/$ ($372 MSRP vs $455 MSRP).
✅Draws 72W instead of 115W, a 43W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Opteron 6238 across 34 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,589 vs 5,625).

Quick Answers

So, is Opteron 6238 better than Xeon E3-1220 v6?

Yes. Opteron 6238 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 28.8% average FPS lead across 34 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.6% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Opteron 6238 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 28.8% more average FPS across 34 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Opteron 6238 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 12 threads.

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

Opteron 6238 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E3-1220 v6 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Opteron 6238 comes in 22.3% more expensive on MSRP at $455 MSRP versus $372 MSRP, and it still gives you a 28.8% average FPS lead across 34 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E3-1220 v6 is also 21.5% better value on MSRP (15.0 vs 12.4 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Xeon E3-1220 v6 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Opteron 6238 vs Xeon E3-1220 v6 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon E3-1220 v6

The Xeon E3-1220 v6 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 March 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 72 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 5,589 points. Launch price was $193.

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Processing Power

The Opteron 6238 packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E3-1220 v6 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Opteron 6238 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Opteron 6238 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v6 — a 9% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1220 v6 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Opteron 6238 uses the Interlagos (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220 v6 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Opteron 6238 scores 5,625 against the Xeon E3-1220 v6's 5,589 — a 0.6% lead for the Opteron 6238. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 6238 vs 8 MB on the Xeon E3-1220 v6.

Feature	Opteron 6238	Xeon E3-1220 v6
Cores / Threads	12 / 12+200%	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.5 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3 GHz+15%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB (per module)+100%	1 MB
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Interlagos (2011−2012)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	5,625	5,589

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Opteron 6238 uses the G34 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E3-1220 v6 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Opteron 6238	Xeon E3-1220 v6
Socket	G34	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Opteron 6238 was priced at $455, while the Xeon E3-1220 v6 came in at $372. On launch pricing ($455 vs $372), Xeon E3-1220 v6 was $83 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Opteron 6238 delivers 12.4 pts/$ vs 15.0 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1220 v6 — making the Xeon E3-1220 v6 the 19.4% better value option.

Feature	Opteron 6238	Xeon E3-1220 v6
MSRP	$455	$372-18%
Performance per Dollar	12.4	15.0+21%
Release Date	2011	2017

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