Budget Gaming with Dual Opteron 6328: Will it Game in 2022?
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- The Rise of Old Hardware
- The Dual Opteron System
- The Specifications of the System
- Gaming Performance of the System
- Overwatch: A Test of the System's Gaming Capability
- Elden Ring: How Well Does the System Fare?
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive: A Budget-Friendly Favorite
- Brawlhalla: A Free-to-Play Brawler
- Battlefield 2: Utilizing the Full Potential of the System
- Conclusion
Introduction
In this article, we will be exploring the capabilities of an older system and its gaming performance. With the resurgence of older hardware becoming more popular among gamers on a budget, it is important to understand what these systems can do in today's gaming landscape. The dual Opteron system that we will be reviewing was gifted to the author and was built back in 2012. The goal of this review is to see if this system can still hold its own in gaming and provide a viable option for those looking for a budget gaming setup.
The Rise of Old Hardware
As more and more gamers try to build their own PCs and move away from consoles, there has been a growing interest in using older hardware to create budget-friendly systems. The availability of merchandise and components for older systems has increased, allowing gamers to explore more affordable options for their gaming needs. This trend has led to a renaissance of sorts for older hardware, making it a viable and attractive choice for many gamers.
The Dual Opteron System
The system under review is a dual Opteron system that was built in 2012. It features two Opteron processors, specifically the 6328 model, running at a boost core speed of 3.5 GHz with the capability to boost up to 3.8 GHz. The motherboard, a KGP e D16, supports a maximum of 64GB of DDR3 memory and has dual Gigabit Ethernet ports. The graphics card used in this system is an R9 380, a 4GB model that is not overclocked.
The Specifications of the System
To understand the performance of the system, it is crucial to delve into its specifications. The dual Opteron system boasts a total of 64 cores, with each processor having 8 cores and 16 logical Threads. The system also features 64GB of DDR3 memory, providing ample resources for multitasking and demanding applications. With a powerful graphics card like the R9 380, the system is expected to handle modern games with ease.
Gaming Performance of the System
To evaluate the gaming performance of the system, several games were tested to see how well they ran on this older hardware. The games selected for testing were Overwatch, Elden Ring, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Brawlhalla, and Battlefield 2. By analyzing the performance of the system across these games, we can gain insights into its overall gaming capabilities.
Overwatch: A Test of the System's Gaming Capability
The first Game tested was Overwatch, a popular team-based first-person shooter. Despite its age, the dual Opteron system was able to perform reasonably well in Overwatch, averaging around 90 frames per Second (FPS) on a 60Hz monitor. While not the smoothest experience, it was certainly playable, demonstrating that the system has potential as a gaming machine. Pros: Playable frame rate on a budget system. Cons: Some occasional frame dips and audio issues.
Elden Ring: How Well Does the System Fare?
Next, Elden Ring, an action role-playing game, was tested on the system. Unfortunately, the performance was not as satisfactory as with Overwatch. With settings cranked down to low, the system struggled to maintain a consistent 60 FPS, often dipping below that threshold. While the game was still playable, the experience was far from ideal. Pros: Playable on low settings. Cons: Inconsistent frame rates and subpar performance on higher graphics settings.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive: A Budget-Friendly Favorite
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), a popular online multiplayer first-person shooter, was the next game tested. With low settings, the system was able to deliver an impressive average of 400+ FPS, making it more than capable of providing a smooth gaming experience. CS:GO is known for its wide compatibility and ability to run on a variety of systems, making it an excellent choice for gamers on a budget. Pros: High frame rates and smooth gameplay. Cons: None apparent.
Brawlhalla: A Free-to-Play Brawler
Brawlhalla, a free-to-play platform fighting game, was also tested on the system. With a mixture of medium and low settings, the performance was decent, with an average frame rate of around 60 FPS. While not the most demanding game, Brawlhalla still provided an enjoyable gaming experience on the dual Opteron system. Pros: Playable frame rate and enjoyable gameplay. Cons: None apparent.
Battlefield 2: Utilizing the Full Potential of the System
Finally, Battlefield 2, a classic first-person shooter, was tested on the system to see how well it could handle a more demanding game. Despite its age, Battlefield 2 is known for its resource-intensive graphics and gameplay. Surprisingly, the dual Opteron system was able to deliver playable frame rates, although it did struggle with occasional frame drops. Pros: Playable frame rates and impressive utilization of CPU cores. Cons: Occasional frame drops and GPU struggles to keep up.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the dual Opteron system proved to be a somewhat capable gaming machine, especially considering its age. While it struggled with more demanding games like Elden Ring, it performed admirably in titles such as Overwatch, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Brawlhalla, and even Battlefield 2 to some extent. This review serves as a testament to the potential of older hardware in providing a budget-friendly gaming experience. With proper optimization and adjustment of in-game settings, gamers on a budget can still enjoy a wide variety of games without breaking the bank.