Opteron 6344 vs Xeon X5660

Opteron 6344 vs Xeon X5660 Performance Spectrum

Opteron 6344

12 / 12

6,069

+1.5%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Xeon X5660

6 / 12

5,979

0.0%

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 X5660 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 X5660: 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

✅Better for gaming: +5.6% higher average FPS across 48 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $804 less on MSRP ($415 MSRP vs $1,219 MSRP).
✅Delivers 198.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 14.6 vs 4.9 PassMark/$ ($415 MSRP vs $1,219 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌21.1% higher power demand at 115W vs 95W.

Xeon X5660

2010

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Draws 95W instead of 115W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Opteron 6344 across 48 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,979 vs 6,069).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 4.9 vs 14.6 PassMark/$ ($1,219 MSRP vs $415 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Opteron 6344 better than Xeon X5660?

Yes. Opteron 6344 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.6% average FPS lead across 48 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.5% 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, Opteron 6344 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.6% more average FPS across 48 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Opteron 6344 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 12 threads.

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

Opteron 6344 is the better buy right now. Opteron 6344 comes in $804 cheaper on MSRP at $415 MSRP versus $1,219 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.6% average FPS lead across 48 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 198.2% better value on MSRP (14.6 vs 4.9 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Opteron 6344 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Opteron 6344 vs Xeon X5660 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon X5660

The Xeon X5660 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,979 points. Launch price was $33.

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Processing Power

The Opteron 6344 packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon X5660 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Opteron 6344 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Opteron 6344 versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon X5660 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Opteron 6344 uses the Abu Dhabi (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon X5660 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Opteron 6344 scores 6,069 against the Xeon X5660's 5,979 — a 1.5% lead for the Opteron 6344. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 6344 vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon X5660.

Feature	Opteron 6344	Xeon X5660
Cores / Threads	12 / 12+100%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	2.8 GHz+8%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per module)+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Abu Dhabi (2012)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	6,069+2%	5,979

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Opteron 6344 uses the G34 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon X5660 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Opteron 6344	Xeon X5660
Socket	G34	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
RAM Channels	—	3
ECC Support	—	Yes

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Opteron 6344) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5660). Primary use case: Xeon X5660 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5660 rivals Core i7-980X.

Feature	Opteron 6344	Xeon X5660
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Opteron 6344 was priced at $415, while the Xeon X5660 came in at $1219. On launch pricing ($415 vs $1219), Opteron 6344 was $804 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Opteron 6344 delivers 14.6 pts/$ vs 4.9 pts/$ for the Xeon X5660 — making the Opteron 6344 the 99.5% better value option.

Feature	Opteron 6344	Xeon X5660
MSRP	$415-66%	$1219
Performance per Dollar	14.6+198%	4.9
Release Date	2012	2010

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