Opteron 6344 vs Xeon E5-2630

AMD

Opteron 6344

12 Cores12 Thrd115 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2012
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon E5-2630

6 Cores12 Thrd95 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2012
Similar parts
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Opteron 6344 vs Xeon E5-2630 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 6344 vs Xeon E5-2630 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 6344 vs Xeon E5-2630: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Opteron 6344

2012

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Lower PassMark (6,069 vs 6,077).
    • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).
    • 5.1% HIGHER MSRP
      $415 MSRPvs$395 MSRP
    • 21.1% higher power demand at 115W vs 95W.

    Xeon E5-2630

    2012

    Why buy it

    • +0.1% higher PassMark.
    • +87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
    • Costs $20 less on MSRP ($395 MSRP vs $415 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 E5-2630 better than Opteron 6344?
    It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Opteron 6344 is ahead with a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2630 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2630 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 E5-2630 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% 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 E5-2630 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2630 comes in $20 cheaper on MSRP at $395 MSRP versus $415 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Opteron 6344 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 5.2% better value on MSRP (15.4 vs 14.6 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2630 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

    Opteron 6344 vs Xeon E5-2630 Technical Specifications

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

    AMD

    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.

    Intel

    Xeon E5-2630

    The Xeon E5-2630 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 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 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: 6,077 points. Launch price was $74.

    Processing Power

    The Opteron 6344 packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2630 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Opteron 6344 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Opteron 6344 versus 2.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2630 — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Opteron 6344 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Opteron 6344 uses the Abu Dhabi (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-2630 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Opteron 6344 scores 6,069 against the Xeon E5-2630's 6,077 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E5-2630. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 6344 vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2630.

    FeatureOpteron 6344Xeon E5-2630
    Cores / Threads
    12 / 12+100%
    6 / 12
    Boost Clock
    3.2 GHz+14%
    2.8 GHz
    Base Clock
    2.6 GHz+13%
    2.3 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
    6,069
    6,077
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Opteron 6344 uses the G34 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-2630 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureOpteron 6344Xeon E5-2630
    Socket
    G34
    LGA2011
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 2.0
    PCIe 4.0+100%
    💰

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the Opteron 6344 was priced at $415, while the Xeon E5-2630 came in at $395. On launch pricing ($415 vs $395), Xeon E5-2630 was $20 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Opteron 6344 delivers 14.6 pts/$ vs 15.4 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2630 — making the Xeon E5-2630 the 5.1% better value option.

    FeatureOpteron 6344Xeon E5-2630
    MSRP
    $415
    $395-5%
    Performance per Dollar
    14.6
    15.4+5%
    Release Date
    2012
    2012

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