AMD Athlon X4 950 vs HP 500537-B21 Opteron 2378
These are not competing products. The AMD Athlon X4 950 is a 2017 desktop CPU for Socket AM4 boards; the HP 500537-B21 is a used AMD Opteron 2378 server chip for the ProLiant DL385 G5p. Buy the Athlon X4 950 for a cheap AM4 desktop build. Buy the HP part only to replace a failed CPU in that specific ProLiant server. No current prices were provided for either, so compare store prices before buying.
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AMD Athlon X4 950
AMD X4 950 4-Core 4-Thread Desktop Processor 3.5 GHz Socket AM4
Choose the AMD Athlon X4 950 if you are building or repairing a budget Socket AM4 desktop and need a working CPU with DDR4 support.
- Cheap entry point to the AM4 platform
- DDR4 support and 4 GHz boost
- 65 W TDP, easy to cool
- 12 MB L3 cache
What separates them
| AMD Athlon X4 950 | HP 500537-B21 Opteron 2378 | |
|---|---|---|
| Intended system | Desktop PC, Socket AM4 | Server, HPE ProLiant DL385 G5p |
| Cores and threads | 4 cores, 4 threads | 4 cores, 4 threads (Opteron 2378) |
| Clock speed | 3.5 GHz base, 4 GHz boost | 2.4 GHz, no boost listed |
| Memory support | DDR4, dual channel, 2400 MHz max | DDR2 registered memory on the G5p platform |
| Cache | 12 MB L3, 2 MB L2 | 6 MB L3 |
| TDP | 65 W | 75 W |
| Included cooler | No | No |
| Process and age | 28 nm, released 2017 |
Price history
- AMD Athlon X4 950: lowest $29.99 on Nov 3 at Amazon.
- HP 500537-B21 Opteron 2378: lowest $74.00 on Nov 3 at Global One Technology.
Prices at every store
AMD Athlon X4 950
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
- eBayCheck price at eBay
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HP 500537-B21 Opteron 2378
- CPU MedicsCheck price at CPU Medics
- Global One TechnologyCheck price at Global One Technology
- Memory ClearanceCheck price at Memory Clearance
Specs compared
| Spec | AMD Athlon X4 950 | HP 500537-B21 Opteron 2378 |
|---|---|---|
| Clock Speed | 3.5 GHz | 2.4 GHz |
| Number Of Cores | 4 | Quad-Core |
| Thermal Design Power (TDP) | 65W | 75 W |
| CPU Model | Athlon X4 950 | Opteron 2378 |
| CPU Series | Athlon X4 | Opteron |
| CPU For Use With | Desktop | Server |
| CPU L3 Cache | 12 MB | 6 MB |
| Socket Type | Socket AM4 | — |
| RAM Type | DDR4 | — |
| Manufacturer | AMD | — |
What reviewers say
AMD Athlon X4 950
Owner feedback on the Athlon X4 950 is mixed. It is fine for office work and light media, but buyers expecting gaming performance are disappointed.
- Gaming performanceCriticisedOwners say it cannot keep up with modern titles and bottlenecks mid-range graphics cards.
- Everyday speedMixedFine for browsing and office apps, but slower than newer budget chips in heavier tasks.
- Power and heatPraisedThe 65W TDP keeps it cool and quiet with a basic cooler.
- ValuePraised
Questions and answers
- Can I use the HP Opteron 2378 in a desktop?
- No. It is a server CPU for the HPE ProLiant DL385 G5p and will not fit a desktop Socket AM4 board.
- Can I put the Athlon X4 950 in the ProLiant server?
- No. The Athlon uses Socket AM4; the DL385 G5p uses a different server socket.
- Which is faster?
- The Athlon X4 950. It runs at 3.5 GHz base with a 4 GHz boost and has 12 MB L3 cache versus 2.4 GHz and 6 MB for the Opteron.
- Does either include a cooler?
- No. Both are listed without an included cooler, so budget for one.
- Is the Athlon X4 950 good for gaming?
- It can handle light 1080p gaming with a dedicated GPU, but 4 threads limit modern titles.