Opteron 6348 vs Xeon E5-2620 v3

AMD

Opteron 6348

12 Cores12 Thrd115 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2012
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon E5-2620 v3

6 Cores12 Thrd85 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2014
Similar parts
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Opteron 6348 vs Xeon E5-2620 v3 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 6348 vs Xeon E5-2620 v3 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 6348 vs Xeon E5-2620 v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Opteron 6348

2012

Why buy it

  • +1.5% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2620 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.7 vs 18.5 PassMark/$ ($575 MSRP vs $417 MSRP).
  • 35.3% higher power demand at 115W vs 85W.

Xeon E5-2620 v3

2014

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +4.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
  • Costs $158 less on MSRP ($417 MSRP vs $575 MSRP).
  • Delivers 35.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 18.5 vs 13.7 PassMark/$ ($417 MSRP vs $575 MSRP).
  • Draws 85W instead of 115W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (7,734 vs 7,850).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2620 v3 better than Opteron 6348?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2620 v3 is ahead with a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Opteron 6348 pulls ahead with 1.5% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2620 v3 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, Opteron 6348 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?
Xeon E5-2620 v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2620 v3 comes in $158 cheaper on MSRP at $417 MSRP versus $575 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Opteron 6348 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.5% better PassMark. It is also 35.9% better value on MSRP (18.5 vs 13.7 PassMark/$), 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 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012), 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB), and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Opteron 6348 vs Xeon E5-2620 v3 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Opteron 6348

The Opteron 6348 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Abu Dhabi (2012) architecture. It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 12 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: G34. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,850 points. Launch price was $800.

Intel

Xeon E5-2620 v3

The Xeon E5-2620 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 7,734 points. Launch price was $800.

Processing Power

The Opteron 6348 packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2620 v3 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Opteron 6348 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Opteron 6348 versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon E5-2620 v3 — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Opteron 6348 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Opteron 6348 uses the Abu Dhabi (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-2620 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Opteron 6348 scores 7,850 against the Xeon E5-2620 v3's 7,734 — a 1.5% lead for the Opteron 6348. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 6348 vs 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2620 v3.

FeatureOpteron 6348Xeon E5-2620 v3
Cores / Threads
12 / 12+100%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
3.4 GHz+6%
3.2 GHz
Base Clock
2.8 GHz+17%
2.4 GHz
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)
15 MB (total)+88%
L2 Cache
12 MB
256K (per core)+2033%
Process
32 nm
22 nm-31%
Architecture
Abu Dhabi (2012)
Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark
7,850+1%
7,734
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Opteron 6348 uses the G34 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-2620 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureOpteron 6348Xeon E5-2620 v3
Socket
G34
LGA2011
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-1866
Max RAM Capacity
768 GB
RAM Channels
4
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
40
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Opteron 6348) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2620 v3). Primary use case: Xeon E5-2620 v3 targets Server.

FeatureOpteron 6348Xeon E5-2620 v3
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Server
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Opteron 6348 was priced at $575, while the Xeon E5-2620 v3 came in at $417. On launch pricing ($575 vs $417), Xeon E5-2620 v3 was $158 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Opteron 6348 delivers 13.7 pts/$ vs 18.5 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2620 v3 — making the Xeon E5-2620 v3 the 30.4% better value option.

FeatureOpteron 6348Xeon E5-2620 v3
MSRP
$575
$417-27%
Performance per Dollar
13.7
18.5+35%
Release Date
2012
2014

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