
Opteron 6344 vs Core i5-6600

Opteron 6344

Core i5-6600
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. The Opteron 6344 is positioned at rank 55 and the Core i5-6600 is on rank 641, so the Opteron 6344 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Opteron 6344
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Opteron 6344 | Core i5-6600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($49) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($90) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Abu Dhabi (2012) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Opteron 6344 | Core i5-6600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+84%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($49) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($90) |
Performance Check
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 6344 and Core i5-6600

Opteron 6344
The Opteron 6344 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 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 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: 6,069 points. Launch price was $415.

Core i5-6600
The Core i5-6600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 July 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,058 points. Launch price was $224.
Processing Power
The Opteron 6344 packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-6600 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Opteron 6344 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Opteron 6344 versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-6600 — a 19.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-6600 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Opteron 6344 uses the Abu Dhabi (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-6600 uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Opteron 6344 scores 6,069 against the Core i5-6600's 6,058 — a 0.2% lead for the Opteron 6344. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 6344 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6600.
| Feature | Opteron 6344 | Core i5-6600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 12+200% | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz | 3.9 GHz+22% |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz | 3.3 GHz+27% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total)+33% | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per module)+700% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Abu Dhabi (2012) | Skylake (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 6,069 | 6,058 |
Memory & Platform
The Opteron 6344 uses the G34 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-6600 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Opteron 6344 | Core i5-6600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | G34 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
Value Analysis
The Opteron 6344 launched at $415 MSRP, while the Core i5-6600 debuted at $224. At current prices ($49 vs $90), the Opteron 6344 is $41 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Opteron 6344 delivers 123.9 pts/$ vs 67.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-6600 — making the Opteron 6344 the 59.2% better value option.
| Feature | Opteron 6344 | Core i5-6600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $415 | $224-46% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $49-46% | $90 |
| Performance per Dollar | 123.9+84% | 67.3 |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2015 |
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