Xeon E3-1280 v3 vs Opteron 6281
Xeon E3-1280 v3
Opteron 6281
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 Xeon E3-1280 v3 is positioned at rank 496 and the Opteron 6281 is on rank 44, so the Opteron 6281 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1280 v3
Performance Per Dollar Opteron 6281
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1280 v3 | Opteron 6281 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($44) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($419) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell-WS (2013−2014) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Interlagos (2011−2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1280 v3 | Opteron 6281 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+849%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($44) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($419) |
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 Xeon E3-1280 v3 and Opteron 6281
Xeon E3-1280 v3
The Xeon E3-1280 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,252 points. Launch price was $800.
Opteron 6281
The Opteron 6281 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Interlagos (2011−2012) architecture. It features 16 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 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): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,279 points. Launch price was $988.
Processing Power
The Xeon E3-1280 v3 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Opteron 6281 offers 16 cores / 16 threads — the Opteron 6281 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1280 v3 versus 3.2 GHz on the Opteron 6281 — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1280 v3 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Xeon E3-1280 v3 uses the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Opteron 6281 uses Interlagos (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1280 v3 scores 7,252 against the Opteron 6281's 7,279 — a 0.4% lead for the Opteron 6281. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1280 v3 vs 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 6281.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1280 v3 | Opteron 6281 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 16 / 16+300% |
| Boost Clock | 4 GHz+25% | 3.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+44% | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8192 kB (total) | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 2 MB (per module)+700% |
| Process | 22 nm-31% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Haswell-WS (2013−2014) | Interlagos (2011−2012) |
| PassMark | 7,252 | 7,279 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E3-1280 v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Opteron 6281 uses G34 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1280 v3 | Opteron 6281 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | G34 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E3-1280 v3 launched at $250 MSRP, while the Opteron 6281 debuted at $988. At current prices ($44 vs $419), the Xeon E3-1280 v3 is $375 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1280 v3 delivers 164.8 pts/$ vs 17.4 pts/$ for the Opteron 6281 — making the Xeon E3-1280 v3 the 161.9% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1280 v3 | Opteron 6281 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $250-75% | $988 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $44-89% | $419 |
| Performance per Dollar | 164.8+847% | 17.4 |
| Release Date | 2013 | 2012 |
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