Opteron 6238 vs Xeon E5649

Opteron 6238 vs Xeon E5649 Performance Spectrum

Opteron 6238

12 / 12

5,625

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Xeon E5649

6 / 12

5,659

+0.6%

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 E5649 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 E5649: 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: +9.8% higher average FPS across 34 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $319 less on MSRP ($455 MSRP vs $774 MSRP).
✅Delivers 69.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 12.4 vs 7.3 PassMark/$ ($455 MSRP vs $774 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,625 vs 5,659).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌43.8% higher power demand at 115W vs 80W.

Xeon E5649

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Draws 80W instead of 115W, a 35W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Opteron 6238 across 34 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.3 vs 12.4 PassMark/$ ($774 MSRP vs $455 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5649 better than Opteron 6238?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Opteron 6238 is ahead with a 9.8% average FPS lead across 34 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5649 pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Xeon E5649 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 E5649 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 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?

Xeon E5649 is still the faster CPU overall, but Opteron 6238 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E5649 comes in 70.1% more expensive on MSRP at $774 MSRP versus $455 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Opteron 6238 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 9.8% average FPS lead across 34 shared CPU game tests in our data. Opteron 6238 is also 69.1% better value on MSRP (12.4 vs 7.3 PassMark/$), 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 E5649 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Opteron 6238 vs Xeon E5649 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 E5649

The Xeon E5649 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB (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: 5,659 points. Launch price was $45.

⚡

Processing Power

The Opteron 6238 packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5649 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Opteron 6238 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Opteron 6238 versus 2.93 GHz on the Xeon E5649 — a 8.8% clock advantage for the Opteron 6238 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Opteron 6238 uses the Interlagos (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5649 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Opteron 6238 scores 5,625 against the Xeon E5649's 5,659 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E5649. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 6238 vs 12288 kB (total) on the Xeon E5649.

Feature	Opteron 6238	Xeon E5649
Cores / Threads	12 / 12+100%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+9%	2.93 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+3%	2.53 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	12288 kB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per module)+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Interlagos (2011−2012)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	5,625	5,659
Geekbench 6 Single	—	415
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,109

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Opteron 6238 uses the G34 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5649 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Opteron 6238	Xeon E5649
Socket	G34	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 5.0+150%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3 1333 MHz
Max RAM Capacity	—	288 GB
RAM Channels	—	3
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Opteron 6238) / true (Xeon E5649). Primary use case: Xeon E5649 targets Server.

Feature	Opteron 6238	Xeon E5649
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	true
Target Use	—	Server

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Opteron 6238 was priced at $455, while the Xeon E5649 came in at $774. On launch pricing ($455 vs $774), Opteron 6238 was $319 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Opteron 6238 delivers 12.4 pts/$ vs 7.3 pts/$ for the Xeon E5649 — making the Opteron 6238 the 51.3% better value option.

Feature	Opteron 6238	Xeon E5649
MSRP	$455-41%	$774
Performance per Dollar	12.4+70%	7.3
Release Date	2011	2011

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