AMD Opteron 6220 vs Intel Core i3-8145UE Comparison

The AMD Opteron 6220 and Intel Core i3-8145UE are two processors from different eras and market segments, yet their average benchmark scores land them in the same performance tier. The Opteron 6220, a server part from the Bulldozer generation, holds a slight edge in aggregate score at 1168 compared to the Core i3-8145UE’s 1154. However, the data reveals a clear pattern: the older AMD chip wins every single head-to-head benchmark, while the newer Intel mobile part counters with dramatically lower power consumption and a more modern feature set. The choice between them depends entirely on whether the priority is raw multi-threaded throughput or platform efficiency.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 6220 is the unequivocal performance winner across every measured Cinebench test. In the head-to-head comparison, it takes all five benchmarks, with wins ranging from 20.5% to 20.8% over the Intel part. Its most significant victories come in multi-core workloads, where its 8 physical cores and 8 threads provide a substantial advantage over the Core i3-8145UE’s 2 cores and 4 threads. For example, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Opteron scores 4040 versus the Intel chip’s 3354, a 20.5% gap. This makes the Opteron the clear choice for any server or workstation application that can utilize all available cores, such as rendering, scientific computing, or heavy database workloads.

The Intel Core i3-8145UE, while losing every benchmark, wins in every other practical category. Its 15-watt TDP is a fraction of the Opteron’s 115-watt TDP, making it suitable for fanless or low-power mobile designs where thermal headroom is minimal. It also features integrated UHD Graphics 620, something the Opteron completely lacks, eliminating the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems. The Intel chip supports DDR4 memory and PCIe Gen 3, whereas the Opteron is limited to DDR3 and PCIe Gen 2. For a compact, battery-powered device or a thin-and-light laptop, the Core i3-8145UE is the only sensible option, despite its lower benchmark scores.

The performance gap between the two is consistent across both single-core and multi-core tests. The Opteron’s single-core advantage in Cinebench R23 is 570 versus 473, a 20.5% lead, which is surprising given the Intel part’s higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz compared to the Opteron’s 3.60 GHz. This suggests that the older Bulldozer architecture, despite its age, delivers better instructions-per-clock in these specific workloads, or that the Intel chip’s thermal constraints limit its sustained performance. Regardless, the data shows a decisive sweep for the AMD processor in all compute-bound scenarios.

The Verdict

From the benchmark data alone, the AMD Opteron 6220 is the superior processor for pure computational performance. It wins every single head-to-head test, with a consistent 20.5% to 20.8% lead across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single and multi-core variants. Its average benchmark score of 1168 places it just above the Intel Core i3-8145UE’s 1154, and its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-3570S (1169) and Intel Core i7-2960XM (1169), both of which it effectively ties with a delta of -0.1%. If the sole criterion is benchmark performance, the Opteron 6220 is the clear pick.

However, the Core i3-8145UE is not without merit. It is an active, production-ready mobile processor, whereas the Opteron is end-of-life. The Intel part’s 15-watt TDP enables designs that the 115-watt Opteron physically cannot fit into. It also brings modern platform features: DDR4 memory support, PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, and integrated graphics. For a system builder targeting a low-power embedded or mobile application, the Core i3-8145UE is the only viable choice, even if it leaves 20% performance on the table. The Opteron is a server relic for those who already have a Socket G34 platform and need raw compute without regard for power or space.

The verdict is a split decision based on use case. For a rack-mounted server or a workstation where power is cheap and space is available, the Opteron 6220 offers measurably higher performance in every tested metric. For a portable or embedded device, the Core i3-8145UE’s efficiency and integrated features make it the pragmatic choice, accepting its lower scores as a trade-off for a vastly smaller thermal footprint.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin of victory for the AMD Opteron 6220 comes in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it scores 407 against the Intel Core i3-8145UE’s 337, a delta of 20.8%. This is the single biggest gap in the entire comparison, and it underscores the Opteron’s advantage when all eight cores are engaged. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R20 multi-core, with the Opteron posting 1696 versus 1408, a 20.5% lead.

Single-core results are equally decisive. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Opteron scores 239, while the Intel chip manages 198, a 20.7% margin. This is notable because the Core i3-8145UE has a higher boost clock (3.90 GHz versus 3.60 GHz), yet it still falls behind. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Opteron’s 570 beats the Intel’s 473 by 20.5%. The consistency of these margins—all hovering between 20.5% and 20.8%—suggests a fundamental architectural throughput advantage for the Opteron in Cinebench’s rendering workloads, rather than a specific test anomaly.

The multi-core results further highlight the core-count disparity. The Opteron’s 8 cores and 8 threads allow it to scale better in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 4040 versus 3354. This 20.5% difference aligns almost exactly with the single-core gap, indicating that the Opteron’s per-core performance is also superior, not just its parallel scaling. The Intel part, with only 2 cores and 4 threads, cannot compensate for its lower single-core throughput even when all threads are active. The data shows a clean sweep: 5 wins for AMD, 0 for Intel, with no test where the Core i3-8145UE comes out ahead.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Opteron 6220 has an average benchmark score of 1168, while the Intel Core i3-8145UE scores 1154. The Opteron’s nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-3570S, scores 1169, a delta of -0.1%, meaning the two are nearly identical in aggregate performance.

Q: How does the single-core performance compare?

A: The AMD Opteron 6220 wins all single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 570 versus the Intel Core i3-8145UE’s 473, a 20.5% lead. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the margin is 239 to 198, a 20.7% advantage.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The AMD Opteron 6220 has a TDP of 115 watts, while the Intel Core i3-8145UE has a TDP of just 15 watts. This represents a massive efficiency gap, making the Intel part suitable for fanless mobile designs.

Q: Do either of these processors have integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i3-8145UE includes integrated UHD Graphics 620, while the AMD Opteron 6220 has no integrated graphics at all. This requires a discrete GPU for the Opteron in any system.

Q: Which processor supports newer memory and PCIe standards?

A: The Intel Core i3-8145UE supports DDR4 memory and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes. The AMD Opteron 6220 is limited to DDR3 memory and PCIe Gen 2, reflecting its older platform.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The AMD Opteron 6220 is marked as end-of-life, while the Intel Core i3-8145UE is listed as active and in production. The Opteron was released in 2011, whereas the Intel chip came out in 2018.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Opteron 6220 is built on the Bulldozer architecture, codenamed Interlagos, and manufactured on a 32 nm process by GlobalFoundries. It features 8 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 768 KB of L1, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 8 MB of L3 per die, with a total of 2,400 million transistors spread across a dual-die design of 2x 315 mm². It supports quad-channel DDR3 memory with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s and includes ECC memory support, which is critical for server reliability. The Opteron uses the AMD Socket G34 and has a TDP of 115 watts.

The Intel Core i3-8145UE, in contrast, is based on the Whiskey Lake architecture, codenamed Whiskey Lake-U, and is built on a 10 nm process by Intel. It has only 2 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. Its cache is smaller: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. It supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, but lacks ECC support. The Intel chip uses the BGA 1528 socket and has a TDP of just 15 watts, making it far more power-efficient. It also includes integrated UHD Graphics 620, which the Opteron lacks entirely.

The two processors also differ in market segment and platform features. The Opteron is a server/workstation part with a launch MSRP of $523, while the Core i3-8145UE has no listed launch MSRP and targets the mobile segment. The Intel part supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, whereas the Opteron is limited to PCIe Gen 2. The Opteron’s production status is end-of-life, while the Intel chip remains active. These architectural differences explain the performance and efficiency trade-offs: the Opteron uses more silicon and power to deliver higher throughput, while the Intel chip uses a smaller, more modern process to achieve mobility and low power consumption.