Opteron 6274 vs Xeon D-1521

Opteron 6274 vs Xeon D-1521 Performance Spectrum

Opteron 6274

16 / 16

5,643

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Xeon D-1521

4 / 8

5,703

+1.1%

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 6274 vs Xeon D-1521 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 6274 vs Xeon D-1521: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Opteron 6274

2011

Why buy it

✅+433.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 1.5 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,643 vs 5,703).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.8 vs 28.7 PassMark/$ ($639 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌155.6% higher power demand at 115W vs 45W.

Xeon D-1521

2015

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $440 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $639 MSRP).
✅Delivers 224.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 28.7 vs 8.8 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $639 MSRP).
✅Draws 45W instead of 115W, a 70W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (1.5 MB vs 8 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon D-1521 better than Opteron 6274?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Opteron 6274 is ahead with a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon D-1521 pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark. Opteron 6274 also has the bigger cache pool with 433.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 1.5 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon D-1521 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon D-1521 is the better buy right now. Xeon D-1521 comes in $440 cheaper on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $639 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Opteron 6274 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 224.5% better value on MSRP (28.7 vs 8.8 PassMark/$), 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 D-1521 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 16/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Opteron 6274 vs Xeon D-1521 Technical Specifications

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

Opteron 6274

The Opteron 6274 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 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: 5,643 points. Launch price was $909.

Xeon D-1521

The Xeon D-1521 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 November 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1667. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,703 points. Launch price was $199.

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Processing Power

The Opteron 6274 packs 16 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon D-1521 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Opteron 6274 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Opteron 6274 versus 2.7 GHz on the Xeon D-1521 — a 13.8% clock advantage for the Opteron 6274 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Opteron 6274 uses the Interlagos (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon D-1521 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Opteron 6274 scores 5,643 against the Xeon D-1521's 5,703 — a 1.1% lead for the Xeon D-1521. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 6274 vs 1.5 MB (per core) on the Xeon D-1521.

Feature	Opteron 6274	Xeon D-1521
Cores / Threads	16 / 16+300%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+15%	2.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.4 GHz+9%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+433%	1.5 MB (per core)
L2 Cache	8.00391 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+3098%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Interlagos (2011−2012)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	5,643	5,703+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Opteron 6274 uses the G34 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon D-1521 uses FCBGA1667 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Opteron 6274	Xeon D-1521
Socket	G34	FCBGA1667
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Opteron 6274 was priced at $639, while the Xeon D-1521 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($639 vs $199), Xeon D-1521 was $440 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Opteron 6274 delivers 8.8 pts/$ vs 28.7 pts/$ for the Xeon D-1521 — making the Xeon D-1521 the 105.8% better value option.

Feature	Opteron 6274	Xeon D-1521
MSRP	$639	$199-69%
Performance per Dollar	8.8	28.7+226%
Release Date	2011	2015

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