AMD Opteron 4386 vs Intel Core i7-2715QE Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The AMD Opteron 4386 has 8 cores, while the Intel Core i7-2715QE has 4 cores. Both processors support 8 threads total, which means the Intel part relies on Hyper-Threading to reach that thread count, while the AMD part uses its physical cores.

Q: How do the two compare in single-core Cinebench R23 performance?

A: The AMD Opteron 4386 scores 392 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Intel Core i7-2715QE scores 386. That puts the Opteron ahead by 1.5% in this test, a narrow margin that indicates very similar per-thread capabilities.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The AMD Opteron 4386 has an average benchmark score of 957, while the Intel Core i7-2715QE has an average score of 942. The Opteron also sits at the 26th percentile among all CPUs in the database, compared to the Intel part's 25th percentile.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. According to the database, neither the Intel Core i7-2715QE nor the AMD Opteron 4386 supports ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Opteron 4386 boosts to 3.80 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-2715QE boosts to 3.00 GHz. The AMD part also has a higher base clock at 3.10 GHz compared to 2.10 GHz on the Intel.

Q: What integrated graphics does the Intel Core i7-2715QE include?

A: The Intel Core i7-2715QE includes Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics. The AMD Opteron 4386 has no integrated graphics, which is typical for its server/workstation market segment.

The Verdict

The benchmark data makes this a straightforward call for most workloads. The AMD Opteron 4386 wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, from Cinebench R15 multicore all the way through Cinebench R23 single-core. The margins are not large, ranging from 1.2% to 1.8%, but they are consistent across every recorded test. If you are choosing strictly on measured performance, the Opteron 4386 is the faster processor in both single-threaded and multi-threaded Cinebench workloads.

That said, the Intel Core i7-2715QE has its own advantages that matter in specific contexts. It is a mobile processor with a 45 W TDP, versus 95 W for the AMD part. The Intel chip also includes integrated graphics, which the AMD part lacks entirely. For a mobile or embedded application where power draw and a built-in display output matter, the Intel part is the practical choice despite its slightly lower scores. The AMD Opteron 4386, as a server/workstation processor, will require a discrete GPU and a platform designed for its 95 W envelope.

The average benchmark scores tell the same story: the Opteron 4386 averages 957 across all recorded tests, while the i7-2715QE averages 942. The nearest rivals in the database confirm that both chips sit in the same performance tier. The Opteron matches the Intel Core i7-950 exactly at 957, while the i7-2715QE trades blows with the Intel Core i3-8145U at 941. Neither processor is a standout in the broader CPU landscape, but the AMD part is marginally better in head-to-head testing.

For a builder who needs raw Cinebench throughput and can handle a higher TDP, the AMD Opteron 4386 is the pick. For a builder constrained by power, thermals, or the need for integrated graphics, the Intel Core i7-2715QE is the sensible alternative, even though it trails in every benchmark.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are one-sided. The AMD Opteron 4386 wins all five recorded comparisons, but the margins tell an interesting story about how close these two parts actually are.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Intel Core i7-2715QE scores 275 against the Opteron's 280. That is a 1.8% deficit for the Intel part, the largest gap in the entire head-to-head set. The multicore R20 test shows a similar pattern: Intel at 1149, AMD at 1168, a 1.6% difference. R23 multicore repeats the trend with Intel at 2737 and AMD at 2782, again a 1.6% gap.

Single-core results are even tighter. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Intel part scores 162 and the Opteron scores 164, a 1.2% difference. The R23 single-core test shows Intel at 386 and AMD at 392, a 1.5% gap. Across all tests, the Opteron holds a consistent but modest advantage.

What is notable is that the Opteron wins the multicore tests despite having double the physical cores. The Intel chip's 4 cores and 8 threads manage to stay within a few percent of the AMD chip's 8 physical cores. That speaks to the efficiency of the Sandy Bridge architecture in the Intel part, but the recorded data still favors AMD in every case.

The consistency of the results is worth emphasizing. There is no single test where the Intel chip pulls ahead, and there is no test where the AMD advantage exceeds 1.8%. These are two processors that perform nearly identically in Cinebench workloads, with the Opteron having a slight edge across the board.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ substantially in their basic specifications. The Intel Core i7-2715QE has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Opteron 4386 has 8 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 2.10 GHz for Intel and 3.10 GHz for AMD. Boost clocks are 3.00 GHz for Intel and 3.80 GHz for AMD.

Power consumption is a major differentiator. The Intel part has a 45 W TDP, while the AMD part is rated at 95 W. The Intel chip uses the Intel BGA 1023 socket, while the AMD chip uses the AMD Socket C32. The Intel part is classified as mobile, while the AMD part is classified as server/workstation.

Cache configurations differ as well. The Intel Core i7-2715QE has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. The AMD Opteron 4386 has 384 KB total L1, 8 MB L2, and 8 MB shared L3. The AMD part supports DDR3 memory, while the database lists no specific memory support for the Intel part. The Intel chip has dual-channel memory bus; the AMD chip's memory bus is not listed.

The Intel part includes Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics, while the AMD part has none. The Intel chip is end-of-life, with a release date of January 2011. The AMD part has no production status listed and was released in December 2012. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split here is significant. The Intel Core i7-2715QE is built on Sandy Bridge, a 32 nm process with 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. The AMD Opteron 4386 uses the Piledriver architecture, codenamed Seoul, also on a 32 nm process, with 1,200 million transistors on a larger 315 mm² die.

The core designs are fundamentally different. The Intel part uses 4 cores with 8 threads, leveraging simultaneous multithreading to double its thread count. The AMD part uses 8 physical cores with 8 threads, no multithreading. The Intel part's smaller die and lower transistor count suggest a more compact design, while the AMD part's larger die accommodates twice as many physical cores.

Cache architecture reflects these design choices. The Intel chip uses a per-core cache structure with 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, plus a shared 6 MB L3. The AMD chip pools its cache differently: 384 KB total L1, 8 MB L2, and 8 MB shared L3. The AMD part's larger L3 cache is consistent with its server/workstation positioning.

The Intel part integrates graphics, which the AMD part does not. The Intel chip is also a mobile part soldered to BGA 1023, which means it is not socketed for upgrade. The AMD part fits the socketed C32 platform, which is more typical for server/workstation configurations. The transistor counts are close, 1,160 million for Intel versus 1,200 million for AMD, but the AMD die is significantly larger at 315 mm² versus 216 mm².

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 4386 wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, so the data-driven answer is that it wins in raw Cinebench performance across both single-core and multicore tests. The margins are small, but they are consistent. If the workload is purely CPU throughput as measured by Cinebench, the Opteron is the better choice.

The Intel Core i7-2715QE wins where specifications matter outside of benchmark scores. It has a 45 W TDP versus 95 W, making it the better option for power-constrained systems. It includes Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics, so it can drive a display without a discrete GPU. It is also a mobile part, which means it is designed for compact, low-power systems.

For a server/workstation workload where the platform already includes a discrete GPU and power is not a constraint, the AMD Opteron 4386 is the clear pick. Its 8 physical cores and higher clock speeds give it the edge in every recorded benchmark. For a mobile or embedded system where power draw and integrated graphics matter more than a 1.2% to 1.8% benchmark gap, the Intel Core i7-2715QE is the practical choice.

The nearest rival data provides additional context. The Opteron 4386 matches the Intel Core i7-950 at an average score of 957, and it edges out the AMD Athlon X4 870K at 956. The i7-2715QE sits at 942, close to the Intel Core i3-8145U at 941. Both processors occupy a similar performance tier, but the AMD part sits slightly higher in the database's percentile ranking at 26 versus 25.

The decision ultimately comes down to platform and power constraints. If the system can handle a 95 W TDP and does not need integrated graphics, the Opteron 4386 offers slightly better performance in every measured test. If the system is mobile, power-limited, or needs a built-in display output, the i7-2715QE is the only reasonable choice despite its lower scores.