Opteron 6328 vs Xeon E5-2620

AMD

Opteron 6328

8 Cores8 Thrd115 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2012
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon E5-2620

6 Cores12 Thrd95 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2012
Similar parts
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Opteron 6328 vs Xeon E5-2620 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 6328 vs Xeon E5-2620 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 6328 vs Xeon E5-2620: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Opteron 6328

2012

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Lower PassMark (5,306 vs 5,328).
    • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).
    • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.2 vs 14.8 PassMark/$ ($575 MSRP vs $360 MSRP).
    • 21.1% higher power demand at 115W vs 95W.

    Xeon E5-2620

    2012

    Why buy it

    • +0.4% higher PassMark.
    • +87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
    • Costs $215 less on MSRP ($360 MSRP vs $575 MSRP).
    • Delivers 60.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 14.8 vs 9.2 PassMark/$ ($360 MSRP vs $575 MSRP).
    • Draws 95W instead of 115W, a 20W reduction.

    Trade-offs

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

    Quick Answers

    So, is Xeon E5-2620 better than Opteron 6328?
    It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Opteron 6328 is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2620 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2620 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 E5-2620 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% 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 E5-2620 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2620 comes in $215 cheaper on MSRP at $360 MSRP versus $575 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Opteron 6328 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 60.4% better value on MSRP (14.8 vs 9.2 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2620 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

    Opteron 6328 vs Xeon E5-2620 Technical Specifications

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

    AMD

    Opteron 6328

    The Opteron 6328 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Abu Dhabi (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 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: 5,306 points. Launch price was $575.

    Intel

    Xeon E5-2620

    The Xeon E5-2620 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 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,328 points. Launch price was $36.

    Processing Power

    The Opteron 6328 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2620 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Opteron 6328 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Opteron 6328 versus 2.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2620 — a 41.3% clock advantage for the Opteron 6328 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Opteron 6328 uses the Abu Dhabi (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-2620 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Opteron 6328 scores 5,306 against the Xeon E5-2620's 5,328 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E5-2620. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 6328 vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2620.

    FeatureOpteron 6328Xeon E5-2620
    Cores / Threads
    8 / 8+33%
    6 / 12
    Boost Clock
    3.8 GHz+52%
    2.5 GHz
    Base Clock
    3.2 GHz+60%
    2 GHz
    L3 Cache
    8 MB (total)
    15360 kB (total)+88%
    L2 Cache
    2 MB (per module)+700%
    256 kB (per core)
    Process
    32 nm
    32 nm
    Architecture
    Abu Dhabi (2012)
    Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
    PassMark
    5,306
    5,328
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Opteron 6328 uses the G34 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-2620 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureOpteron 6328Xeon E5-2620
    Socket
    G34
    LGA2011
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 2.0
    PCIe 2.0
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR3-1333
    Max RAM Capacity
    384 GB
    RAM Channels
    4
    ECC Support
    Yes
    PCIe Lanes
    40
    💰

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the Opteron 6328 was priced at $575, while the Xeon E5-2620 came in at $360. On launch pricing ($575 vs $360), Xeon E5-2620 was $215 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Opteron 6328 delivers 9.2 pts/$ vs 14.8 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2620 — making the Xeon E5-2620 the 46.4% better value option.

    FeatureOpteron 6328Xeon E5-2620
    MSRP
    $575
    $360-37%
    Performance per Dollar
    9.2
    14.8+61%
    Release Date
    2012
    2012

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