CPU
GPU
Opteron X3421
Core i3-6100E
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 X3421 is positioned at rank 102 and the Core i3-6100E is on rank 902, so the Opteron X3421 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Opteron X3421
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-6100E
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Opteron X3421 | Core i3-6100E |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Excavator (2017−2018) / 28 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Opteron X3421 | Core i3-6100E |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) |
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 X3421 and Core i3-6100E
Opteron X3421
The Opteron X3421 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Excavator (2017−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,306 points. Launch price was $800.
Core i3-6100E
The Core i3-6100E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 3,315 points. Launch price was $225.
Processing Power
The Opteron X3421 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-6100E offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Opteron X3421 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Opteron X3421 versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i3-6100E — a 23% clock advantage for the Opteron X3421. The Opteron X3421 uses the Excavator (2017−2018) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i3-6100E uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Opteron X3421 scores 3,306 against the Core i3-6100E's 3,315 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-6100E.
| Feature | Opteron X3421 | Core i3-6100E |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.4 GHz+26% | 2.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.1 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | — | 3 MB |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (total)+300% | 512 kB |
| Process | 28 nm | 14 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Excavator (2017−2018) | Skylake (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 3,306 | 3,315 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Opteron X3421) / true (Core i3-6100E). The Core i3-6100E includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 530), while the Opteron X3421 requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Opteron X3421 | Core i3-6100E |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics 530 |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | true |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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