Opteron 6276 vs Xeon E5-2420 v2

AMD

Opteron 6276

16 Cores16 Thrd115 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2011
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon E5-2420 v2

6 Cores12 Thrd80 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2013
Similar parts
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Opteron 6276 vs Xeon E5-2420 v2 Performance Spectrum

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 6276 vs Xeon E5-2420 v2 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 6276 vs Xeon E5-2420 v2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Opteron 6276

2011

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Lower PassMark (6,348 vs 6,349).
    • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).
    • Launch MSRP is still $788 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2420 v2 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
    • 43.8% higher power demand at 115W vs 80W.

    Xeon E5-2420 v2

    2013

    Why buy it

    • +0% higher PassMark.
    • +87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
    • Draws 80W instead of 115W, a 35W reduction.

    Trade-offs

    • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Xeon E5-2420 v2 better than Opteron 6276?
    It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Opteron 6276 is ahead with a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2420 v2 pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2420 v2 also has the bigger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2420 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Xeon E5-2420 v2 is still the faster CPU overall, but Opteron 6276 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E5-2420 v2 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $788 MSRP, and it still gives you 0% better PassMark. The compromise is that Opteron 6276 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Opteron 6276 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (8.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2420 v2 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011), 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 16/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

    Opteron 6276 vs Xeon E5-2420 v2 Technical Specifications

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

    AMD

    Opteron 6276

    The Opteron 6276 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 2.3 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: 6,348 points. Launch price was $119.

    Intel

    Xeon E5-2420 v2

    The Xeon E5-2420 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,349 points. Launch price was $480.

    Processing Power

    The Opteron 6276 packs 16 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-2420 v2 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Opteron 6276 has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Opteron 6276 versus 2.7 GHz on the Xeon E5-2420 v2 — a 16.9% clock advantage for the Opteron 6276 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Opteron 6276 uses the Interlagos (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-2420 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Opteron 6276 scores 6,348 against the Xeon E5-2420 v2's 6,349 — a 0% lead for the Xeon E5-2420 v2. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 6276 vs 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2420 v2.

    FeatureOpteron 6276Xeon E5-2420 v2
    Cores / Threads
    16 / 16+167%
    6 / 12
    Boost Clock
    3.2 GHz+19%
    2.7 GHz
    Base Clock
    2.3 GHz+5%
    2.2 GHz
    L3 Cache
    8 MB (total)
    15 MB (total)+88%
    L2 Cache
    2 MB (per module)+700%
    256 kB (per core)
    Process
    32 nm
    22 nm-31%
    Architecture
    Interlagos (2011−2012)
    Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014)
    PassMark
    6,348
    6,349
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    Memory & Platform

    The Opteron 6276 uses the G34 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-2420 v2 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureOpteron 6276Xeon E5-2420 v2
    Socket
    G34
    LGA1356
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 2.0
    PCIe 3.0+50%