Opteron 6272 vs Xeon E5-2643

Opteron 6272 vs Xeon E5-2643 Performance Spectrum

Opteron 6272

16 / 16

5,240

+0.2%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Xeon E5-2643

4 / 8

5,228

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 6272 vs Xeon E5-2643 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 6272 vs Xeon E5-2643: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Opteron 6272

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $1,029 less on MSRP ($523 MSRP vs $1,552 MSRP).
✅Delivers 197.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 10.0 vs 3.4 PassMark/$ ($523 MSRP vs $1,552 MSRP).
✅Draws 115W instead of 130W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 10 MB).

Xeon E5-2643

2012

Why buy it

✅+25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Opteron 6272 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,228 vs 5,240).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 3.4 vs 10.0 PassMark/$ ($1,552 MSRP vs $523 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Opteron 6272 better than Xeon E5-2643?

Yes. Opteron 6272 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Opteron 6272 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Opteron 6272 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 16 threads.

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

Opteron 6272 is the better buy right now. Opteron 6272 comes in $1,029 cheaper on MSRP at $523 MSRP versus $1,552 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 197.4% better value on MSRP (10.0 vs 3.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon E5-2643 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011) and 25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Opteron 6272 vs Xeon E5-2643 Technical Specifications

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

Opteron 6272

The Opteron 6272 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 16 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 8.00391 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: G34. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,240 points. Launch price was $325.

Xeon E5-2643

The Xeon E5-2643 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,228 points. Launch price was $218.

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Processing Power

The Opteron 6272 packs 16 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-2643 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Opteron 6272 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Opteron 6272 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2643 — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2643 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Opteron 6272 uses the Interlagos (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-2643 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Opteron 6272 scores 5,240 against the Xeon E5-2643's 5,228 — a 0.2% lead for the Opteron 6272. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 6272 vs 10240 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2643.

Feature	Opteron 6272	Xeon E5-2643
Cores / Threads	16 / 16+300%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.5 GHz+17%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3.3 GHz+57%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	10240 kB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	8.00391 MB (per core)+3102%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Interlagos (2011−2012)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	5,240	5,228

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Memory & Platform

The Opteron 6272 uses the G34 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-2643 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Opteron 6272	Xeon E5-2643
Socket	G34	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 5.0+150%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Opteron 6272 was priced at $523, while the Xeon E5-2643 came in at $1552. On launch pricing ($523 vs $1552), Opteron 6272 was $1029 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Opteron 6272 delivers 10.0 pts/$ vs 3.4 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2643 — making the Opteron 6272 the 99.4% better value option.

Feature	Opteron 6272	Xeon E5-2643
MSRP	$523-66%	$1552
Performance per Dollar	10.0+194%	3.4
Release Date	2011	2012

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