Opteron 6281 vs Xeon Phi 7210

Opteron 6281 vs Xeon Phi 7210 Performance Spectrum

Opteron 6281

16 / 16

7,279

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Xeon Phi 7210

64 / 256

7,306

+0.4%

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 6281 vs Xeon Phi 7210 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 6281 vs Xeon Phi 7210: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Opteron 6281

2012

Why buy it

✅Costs $893 less on MSRP ($988 MSRP vs $1,881 MSRP).
✅Delivers 89.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 7.4 vs 3.9 PassMark/$ ($988 MSRP vs $1,881 MSRP).
✅Draws 130W instead of 215W, a 85W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Phi 7210 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,279 vs 7,306).

Xeon Phi 7210

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 3.9 vs 7.4 PassMark/$ ($1,881 MSRP vs $988 MSRP).
❌65.4% higher power demand at 215W vs 130W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Phi 7210 better than Opteron 6281?

Yes. Xeon Phi 7210 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon Phi 7210 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.2% 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, Xeon Phi 7210 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 64 cores and 256 threads.

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

Xeon Phi 7210 is still the faster CPU overall, but Opteron 6281 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Phi 7210 comes in 90.4% more expensive on MSRP at $1,881 MSRP versus $988 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Opteron 6281 is also 89.7% better value on MSRP (7.4 vs 3.9 PassMark/$), 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 Phi 7210 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 64 cores / 256 threads instead of 16/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Opteron 6281 vs Xeon Phi 7210 Technical Specifications

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

Opteron 6281

The Opteron 6281 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 2.5 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): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,279 points. Launch price was $988.

Xeon Phi 7210

The Xeon Phi 7210 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Knights Landing (2016) architecture. It features 64 cores and 256 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 215 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,306 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Opteron 6281 packs 16 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon Phi 7210 offers 64 cores / 256 threads — the Xeon Phi 7210 has 48 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Opteron 6281 versus 1.5 GHz on the Xeon Phi 7210 — a 72.3% clock advantage for the Opteron 6281 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Opteron 6281 uses the Interlagos (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon Phi 7210 uses Knights Landing (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Opteron 6281 scores 7,279 against the Xeon Phi 7210's 7,306 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon Phi 7210. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 6281 vs 0 kB (total) on the Xeon Phi 7210.

Feature	Opteron 6281	Xeon Phi 7210
Cores / Threads	16 / 16	64 / 256+300%
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+113%	1.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+92%	1.3 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	0 kB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per module)+300%	512 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Interlagos (2011−2012)	Knights Landing (2016)
PassMark	7,279	7,306

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Memory & Platform

The Opteron 6281 uses the G34 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon Phi 7210 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Opteron 6281	Xeon Phi 7210
Socket	G34	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Opteron 6281 was priced at $988, while the Xeon Phi 7210 came in at $1881. On launch pricing ($988 vs $1881), Opteron 6281 was $893 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Opteron 6281 delivers 7.4 pts/$ vs 3.9 pts/$ for the Xeon Phi 7210 — making the Opteron 6281 the 61.9% better value option.

Feature	Opteron 6281	Xeon Phi 7210
MSRP	$988-47%	$1881
Performance per Dollar	7.4+90%	3.9
Release Date	2012	2016

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