AMD Opteron 4386 vs Intel Core i3-8145U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear sweep: the Intel Core i3-8145U wins all five recorded head-to-head comparisons against the AMD Opteron 4386. The margins are consistent, all landing between roughly 15% and 15.2% in favor of the Intel part. This uniformity across different Cinebench versions suggests a steady performance gap rather than a workload-specific quirk.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel Core i3-8145U scores 322 against 280 for the Opteron, a 15% advantage. The R20 multi-core test shows a similar story: 1342 versus 1168, a 14.9% lead. R23 multi-core continues the pattern with 3196 versus 2782, again 14.9%. The single-core results are equally decisive. The i3-8145U posts 189 in R20 single-core versus 164, a 15.2% edge, and 451 versus 392 in R23 single-core, a 15.1% margin.

What makes this notable is the core count disparity. The Opteron 4386 packs eight physical cores, while the i3-8145U has only two cores with four threads. Despite being outnumbered four to one in raw core count, the Intel chip's per-core efficiency and higher boost clock (3.90 GHz versus 3.80 GHz) more than compensate. The data shows the i3-8145U winning multi-core tests by nearly 15%, which implies that the Whiskey Lake architecture's single-thread strength carries the day even in heavily threaded workloads.

The Opteron's best showing relative to the Intel part is in the R15 multi-core test, where the 15% delta is the narrowest margin. In every other test, the delta hovers at 14.9% to 15.2%, indicating a very stable performance relationship. There is no test in the database where the Opteron 4386 takes the lead; the wins column reads 5 for Intel and 0 for AMD.

For context on overall positioning, the Opteron 4386 sits at the 26th percentile of all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 957. The i3-8145U ranks at the 25th percentile with an average score of 941. Despite the Intel chip winning every head-to-head, the Opteron's higher average score (957 versus 941) reflects its stronger standing among a broader set of test results included in the average, which spans more than just the Cinebench suite recorded here. The nearest rivals for the Opteron include the Intel Core i7-950, matching at 957 with a 0% delta, and the AMD Athlon X4 870K at 956, which trails by 0.1%. For the i3-8145U, the closest comparable is the Intel Core i7-2715QE at 942, a 0.1% difference, and the AMD Athlon X4 860K at 943, which is 0.2% ahead.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Core i3-8145U is built on Whiskey Lake architecture, using a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel. It belongs to the Core i3 generation specifically for mobile platforms. In contrast, the AMD Opteron 4386 uses the Piledriver architecture, codenamed Seoul, and is built on a much larger 32 nm process node. This process gap is a major factor in the performance-per-clock and power characteristics, though the benchmark data focuses on raw scores rather than efficiency.

The transistor and die size figures highlight the generational divide. The Opteron 4386 contains 1,200 million transistors on a 315 mm² die. The i3-8145U's transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database, but its 10 nm process allows for much denser integration. The Opteron's larger, older process node explains its 95 W TDP, while the i3-8145U is rated at just 15 W. This 80 W difference underscores the mobile versus server/workstation design targets.

Core configuration differs sharply. The i3-8145U has 2 cores and 4 threads, enabling Hyper-Threading-style simultaneous multithreading. The Opteron 4386 has 8 cores and 8 threads, with no SMT. Cache hierarchies also diverge. The Intel part uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The AMD part has 384 KB of L1 total, 8 MB of L2, and 8 MB of shared L3. The Opteron's larger aggregate cache is typical of a server part designed for many concurrent threads, though the i3's smaller cache is sufficient for its dual-core design.

Memory support separates them further. The i3-8145U supports DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Opteron 4386 supports DDR3, with no memory bus or bandwidth figures recorded in the database. ECC memory is disabled for both, a notable point for a server/workstation chip like the Opteron.

The integrated graphics situation is stark. The i3-8145U includes UHD Graphics 620, providing a complete mobile solution. The Opteron 4386 has no integrated graphics whatsoever, which is typical for a server processor that relies on a discrete GPU or no display output at all. The i3 also supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Opteron's PCIe support is not recorded.

Release dates show the age gap: the i3-8145U launched on September 30, 2018, while the Opteron 4386 arrived on December 3, 2012. The Intel part is marked as end-of-life in production status, while the Opteron's status is not recorded. The i3's launch MSRP was $281, a figure stated once here as reference; the Opteron's launch MSRP is not in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-8145U wins all three multi-core tests. It scores 322 versus 280 in R15 (15% ahead), 1342 versus 1168 in R20 (14.9% ahead), and 3196 versus 2782 in R23 (14.9% ahead).

Q: How does single-core performance compare?

A: The i3-8145U leads in both recorded single-core tests. In R20 single-core, it scores 189 versus 164, a 15.2% advantage. In R23 single-core, it scores 451 versus 392, a 15.1% advantage.

Q: What is the core and thread count difference?

A: The Intel Core i3-8145U has 2 cores and 4 threads. The AMD Opteron 4386 has 8 cores and 8 threads. Despite having four times the cores, the Opteron does not win any benchmark.

Q: What are the TDP ratings?

A: The i3-8145U is rated at 15 W, while the Opteron 4386 is rated at 95 W. This reflects the mobile versus server/workstation design targets.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i3-8145U boosts to 3.90 GHz, while the AMD Opteron 4386 boosts to 3.80 GHz. The i3 also has a lower base clock of 2.10 GHz versus 3.10 GHz for the Opteron.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Opteron 4386 has an average benchmark score of 957, placing it at the 26th percentile. The i3-8145U has an average score of 941, at the 25th percentile. The Opteron's higher average reflects a broader range of tests beyond the head-to-head Cinebench results.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-8145U | AMD Opteron 4386 |

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

| Cores | 2 | 8 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 95 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1528 | AMD Socket C32 |

| Architecture | Whiskey Lake | Piledriver |

| Codename | Whiskey Lake-U | Seoul |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 32 nm |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 1,200 million |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 315 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 384 KB |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 8 MB |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Not recorded |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | Not recorded |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 620 | None |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Not recorded |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2018-09-30 | 2012-12-03 |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Not recorded |

| Launch MSRP | $281 | Not recorded |

The Verdict

The data points to different buyers for each chip, based strictly on recorded performance and architecture. The Intel Core i3-8145U is the outright performance winner in every benchmark comparison. Anyone running Cinebench workloads, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded, will get roughly 15% more score from the i3-8145U. Its 15 W TDP also makes it suitable for thin-and-light mobile devices, where power draw is a limiting factor. The integrated UHD Graphics 620 means no discrete GPU is required for basic display output, further simplifying mobile designs.

The AMD Opteron 4386, despite losing every head-to-head, is not without reason for selection. Its 8 cores and 8 threads, larger L2 and L3 caches, and server/workstation market segment suggest it was designed for environments where many concurrent threads, rather than per-thread speed, are prioritized. The database shows its average benchmark score of 957 exceeds the i3's 941, indicating that across a wider benchmark set, the Opteron holds its own. The lack of integrated graphics is irrelevant in a server context where headless operation is the norm. The DDR3 memory support may also be a practical choice for legacy server platforms.

The i3-8145U is the choice for anyone prioritizing raw Cinebench scores, lower power consumption, and a compact mobile form factor. The Opteron 4386 is the choice for those with an existing Socket C32 platform, a need for eight physical cores, or a workload profile that benefits from larger cache capacities. The benchmark results are unambiguous about speed: Intel wins by a consistent 15% margin. But the Opteron's higher average score across the broader database suggests its performance profile extends beyond the Cinebench suite, making it a viable option for server tasks that do not hinge on single-thread speed.