AMD FX-8350 vs AMD Opteron 6282 SE Comparison

AMD Opteron 6282 SE and AMD FX-8350 are both 32 nm AMD processors from the Bulldozer-derived family, yet they target opposite ends of the computing spectrum. The Opteron 6282 SE is a 16-core server part built for multi-threaded throughput, while the FX-8350 is an 8-core desktop chip with higher clock speeds and a lower thermal envelope. Benchmark data places both in the 39th percentile of all CPUs, with average scores of 1569 and 1557 respectively, indicating that despite their architectural kinship, they deliver similar overall performance in aggregate but excel in different workload categories.

Where Each One Wins

The Opteron 6282 SE wins decisively in heavily threaded workloads, leveraging its 16 cores and 16 threads to outpace the FX-8350 in every multi-core benchmark recorded. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Opteron scores 546 against the FX-8350’s lack of a comparable result in that test, but the FX-8350’s only multi-core data point comes from Geekbench, where it scores 2551. The Opteron’s Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 2279 and R23 multi-core score of 5427 demonstrate its strength in rendering and scientific computing, where core count trumps clock speed.

The FX-8350 wins in single-threaded performance and efficiency metrics, though its benchmark coverage is limited to Geekbench. In Geekbench single-core, the FX-8350 scores 563, while the Opteron’s best single-core result is 766 in Cinebench R23, a different test suite, making direct comparison impossible. However, the FX-8350’s base clock of 4.00 GHz and boost clock of 4.20 GHz, versus the Opteron’s 2.60 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost, strongly suggest superior per-thread responsiveness. The FX-8350 also wins on power, with a 125 W TDP against the Opteron’s 140 W, and on memory bandwidth efficiency per channel, though the Opteron has higher total bandwidth.

For desktop users, the FX-8350’s unlocked multiplier and Socket AM3+ compatibility make it the pick for overclocking and general-purpose computing. For server administrators, the Opteron’s 16 cores, ECC memory support, and quad-channel memory bus make it the clear choice for virtualized environments or database workloads where parallel processing dominates.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split is fundamental: the Opteron 6282 SE uses the Bulldozer design (codename Interlagos), while the FX-8350 uses the refined Piledriver design (codename Vishera). Both are fabricated on a 32 nm process, but the Opteron packs 2,400 million transistors across a dual-die layout of 2x 315 mm², whereas the FX-8350 contains 1,200 million transistors on a single 315 mm² die. This doubling of transistors and die area directly enables the Opteron’s 16 cores versus the FX-8350’s 8 cores.

Cache hierarchies differ markedly. The Opteron has 768 KB of L1 cache, 2 MB of L2 per module (totaling 16 MB across eight modules), and 8 MB of L3 per die (16 MB total across two dies). The FX-8350 has 384 KB of L1, 8 MB of L2, and 8 MB of shared L3. The Opteron’s larger cache pool is designed for multi-socket server scalability, while the FX-8350’s smaller cache reflects its desktop focus.

Memory support diverges: the Opteron runs quad-channel DDR3 with a theoretical bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s and ECC support, while the FX-8350 runs dual-channel DDR3 with 29.9 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC. Both use PCIe Gen 2, but the FX-8350 can rely on chipset-based integrated graphics on certain motherboards, a feature absent from the Opteron. The Opteron’s socket G34 and server market segment contrast with the FX-8350’s AM3+ and desktop segment.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Opteron 6282 SE has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD FX-8350 has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What are the base and boost clock speeds for each?

A: The Opteron 6282 SE runs at 2.60 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. The FX-8350 runs at 4.00 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Opteron 6282 SE supports ECC memory, while the FX-8350 does not.

Q: Which processor has a higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Opteron 6282 SE has 51.2 GB/s via quad-channel DDR3, compared to the FX-8350’s 29.9 GB/s via dual-channel DDR3.

Q: Are both processors end-of-life?

A: Yes, both the Opteron 6282 SE and FX-8350 are listed as end-of-life production status.

Q: Which processor has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking?

A: The FX-8350 has an unlocked multiplier; the Opteron 6282 SE does not.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Opteron 6282 SE | AMD FX-8350 |

|----------------|---------------------|-------------|

| Cores / Threads | 16 / 16 | 8 / 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.60 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.30 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 140 W | 125 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket G34 | AMD Socket AM3+ |

| Architecture | Bulldozer | Piledriver |

| Codename | Interlagos | Vishera |

| Transistors | 2,400 million | 1,200 million |

| Die Size | 2x 315 mm² | 315 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 768 KB | 384 KB |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per module) | 8 MB |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (per die) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 29.9 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| Integrated Graphics | None | On certain motherboards (Chipset feature) |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2011-11-13 | 2012-10-22 |

| Launch MSRP | $1019 | $199 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Direct head-to-head benchmark comparisons are unavailable, as the two processors were tested with different benchmark suites. The Opteron 6282 SE has results across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, while the FX-8350 only has Geekbench multicore and singlecore scores. However, the data that exists reveals the Opteron’s multi-core dominance. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Opteron scores 546; in R20 multi-core, it scores 2279; and in R23 multi-core, it scores 5427. These scores place it in the 39th percentile overall, with an average benchmark score of 1569. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-8300 (avg 1564, delta 0.3%), Intel Core i5-6600T (avg 1563, delta 0.4%), and AMD Ryzen 3 1300X (avg 1562, delta 0.5%), showing that it competes with modern quad-core parts.

The FX-8350’s Geekbench multicore score of 2551 is its only multi-threaded data point, and its average benchmark score is 1557, placing it in the same 39th percentile. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E3-1268L v5 (avg 1557, delta 0%), Intel Core i3-1115G4E (avg 1559, delta -0.1%), and AMD Opteron 6276 (avg 1560, delta -0.2%). The delta percentages are tiny, indicating that the FX-8350’s aggregate performance is virtually indistinguishable from the Opteron’s, despite having half the cores.

Single-core results favor the FX-8350 in raw terms where comparable. The FX-8350 scores 563 in Geekbench single-core, while the Opteron’s best single-core score is 766 in Cinebench R23, but these are different tests. The Opteron’s Cinebench R15 single-core score of 77 and R20 single-core score of 321 are low, reflecting its server-oriented design with lower clocks. The FX-8350’s higher base and boost clocks (4.00 / 4.20 GHz vs 2.60 / 3.30 GHz) give it a clear advantage in lightly threaded tasks, though exact cross-suite comparisons are not possible.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear division of labor. The AMD Opteron 6282 SE is the processor for multi-threaded, server-class workloads: its 16 cores, 16 MB of total L3 cache, quad-channel ECC memory support, and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth make it the superior choice for virtualization, database hosting, or any task that scales across many threads. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 5427, while not directly comparable to the FX-8350’s Geekbench result, demonstrates its capacity for heavy parallel processing. The 140 W TDP and lack of an unlocked multiplier are acceptable trade-offs in a server environment where stability and throughput matter more than overclocking.

The AMD FX-8350 is the desktop-oriented alternative: its 8 cores, 4.00 GHz base clock, 125 W TDP, and unlocked multiplier make it more suitable for gaming, general productivity, and overclocking enthusiasts. Its dual-channel memory and lack of ECC support limit its server applicability, but its Geekbench multicore score of 2551 shows it can handle mainstream multi-threaded tasks adequately. The launch MSRP difference is stark—$1019 for the Opteron versus $199 for the FX-8350—but the Opteron’s server-grade features justify its position.

Choose the Opteron 6282 SE if your workload demands maximum core count, ECC reliability, and quad-channel memory bandwidth, and you can tolerate higher power draw and a server platform. Choose the FX-8350 if you need higher clock speeds, lower power consumption, desktop compatibility, and overclocking flexibility. Both sit at the 39th percentile of all CPUs, but they achieve that standing through opposite strategies: brute core parallelism versus higher per-core frequency.