Opteron 6278
VS
Core i7-1260U

Opteron 6278 vs Core i7-1260U

AMD

Opteron 6278

16 Cores16 Thrd115 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2012
VS
Intel

Core i7-1260U

10 Cores12 Thrd9.5 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2022

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Opteron 6278

#182
EPYC Embedded 8224P
MSRP: $855|Avg: $1048
104%
#187
Xeon Gold 5520+
MSRP: $1083|Avg: $764
103%
#188
EPYC 8124P
MSRP: $639|Avg: $639
103%
#196
Xeon 6515P
MSRP: $740|Avg: $886
100%
#197
Opteron 6278
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#201
Xeon Gold 6248R
MSRP: $2700|Avg: N/A
100%
#210
EPYC 8224P
MSRP: $855|Avg: $1048
97%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-1260U

#179
Core i7-1260P
MSRP: $432|Avg: $432
120%
#184
Core Ultra 7 266V
MSRP: $520|Avg: $520
116%
#185
Ryzen 7 5825C
MSRP: $400|Avg: $400
114%
#187
Core Ultra 9 288V
MSRP: $600|Avg: $600
106%
#188
Core i7-10870H
MSRP: $417|Avg: N/A
106%
#194
Core i7-1260U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i7-1260U (2022) utilizes Intel 7 nm technology and DDR4, DDR5, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightOpteron 6278Core i7-1260U
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Interlagos (2011−2012) / 32 nm)
✨ Modern (Alder Lake-U (2022) / Intel 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Opteron 6278 (2012) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightOpteron 6278Core i7-1260U
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Opteron 6278 and Core i7-1260U

AMD

Opteron 6278

The Opteron 6278 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Interlagos (2011−2012) architecture. It features 16 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 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: 13,733 points. Launch price was $988.

Intel

Core i7-1260U

The Core i7-1260U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1781. Thermal design power (TDP): 9.5 MB + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 13,614 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Opteron 6278 packs 16 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i7-1260U offers 10 cores / 12 threads — the Opteron 6278 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Opteron 6278 versus 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-1260U — a 35% clock advantage for the Core i7-1260U (base: 2.4 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Opteron 6278 uses the Interlagos (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-1260U uses Alder Lake-U (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Opteron 6278 scores 13,733 against the Core i7-1260U's 13,614 — a 0.9% lead for the Opteron 6278. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 6278 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-1260U.

FeatureOpteron 6278Core i7-1260U
Cores / Threads
16 / 16+60%
10 / 12
Boost Clock
3.3 GHz
4.7 GHz+42%
Base Clock
2.4 GHz+118%
1.1 GHz
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)
12 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache
2 MB (per module)+60%
1.25 MB (per core)
Process
32 nm
Intel 7 nm-78%
Architecture
Interlagos (2011−2012)
Alder Lake-U (2022)
PassMark
13,733
13,614
Cinebench R23 Multi
8,381
Geekbench 6 Single
2,294
Geekbench 6 Multi
8,140
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Opteron 6278 uses the G34 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-1260U uses FCBGA1781 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureOpteron 6278Core i7-1260U
Socket
G34
FCBGA1781
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 5.0+150%
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
14
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Opteron 6278) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-1260U). The Core i7-1260U includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics (96 EU)), while the Opteron 6278 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-1260U targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i7-1260U rivals Core i7-1165G7.

FeatureOpteron 6278Core i7-1260U
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Iris Xe Graphics (96 EU)
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Productivity