AMD Opteron 6238 vs AMD Opteron 6366 HE Comparison

AMD Opteron 6238 and AMD Opteron 6366 HE are both end-of-life server processors from the Opteron 6000 series, sharing the same AMD Socket G34 platform and 32 nm GlobalFoundries manufacturing process. Despite the 6366 HE carrying four additional cores and a newer architecture, benchmark data shows the two chips landing within a fraction of a percent of each other across every tested workload, with the older 6238 edging out a narrow but consistent victory in all six Cinebench tests. This head-to-head analysis examines the raw scores, architectural trade-offs, and practical implications for system builders choosing between these two nearly identical performers.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are remarkably close, with the AMD Opteron 6238 winning all six head-to-head comparisons by margins that range from 0.0% to 0.4%. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the 6238 scores 481 against the 6366 HE’s 480, a 0.2% advantage. The single-core R15 test produces an exact tie at 67 points, with the 6238 listed as the winner by the 0.0% deltaPct. Moving to Cinebench R20, the 6238’s multicore score of 2008 beats the 6366 HE’s 2003 by 0.2%, while the single-core result shows 283 versus 282, a 0.4% lead for the 6238. In Cinebench R23, the multicore gap is again 0.2% (4781 versus 4771), and the single-core difference is 0.3% (675 versus 673).

What these percentages reveal is that the 6366 HE’s four extra cores provide no measurable advantage in these workloads. The 6238’s higher base clock of 2.60 GHz versus the 6366 HE’s 1.80 GHz appears to be the dominant factor, even though the 6366 HE’s boost clock of 3.10 GHz nearly matches the 6238’s 3.20 GHz. The data suggests that Cinebench’s rendering workloads are not scaling with the additional cores, likely because per-module cache configurations and memory bandwidth differences play a larger role than raw core count. The 6366 HE does offer higher theoretical memory bandwidth at 59.7 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s, yet this does not translate into a win in any benchmark.

Looking at the broader context, both processors sit at the 36th percentile of all CPUs, with average benchmark scores of 1383 for the 6238 and 1379 for the 6366 HE. The nearest rivals list places the 6238 between the Intel Core i3-9100TE (1386, -0.2%) and the Intel Core i7-3615QE (1381, 0.2%), with the 6366 HE itself just 0.3% behind. For the 6366 HE, the closest competitors are the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U and AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200, both matching its 1379 avgScore exactly, with the Intel Core i7-3740QM at 1378 (0.1%) and the i7-3615QE at 1381 (-0.1%). These rival comparisons reinforce that both Opteron parts occupy the same performance tier, and their head-to-head deltas are smaller than the differences to many surrounding CPUs.

The Verdict

Strictly from the benchmark data, the AMD Opteron 6238 is the superior performer in every test, albeit by margins that are practically negligible. A 0.2% to 0.4% lead in synthetic Cinebench scores will not be perceptible in real-world server workloads, so the choice between these two chips should be guided by other factors in the specification sheet. The 6238 wins on raw performance in these six tests, but the 6366 HE counters with a significantly lower TDP of 85 watts versus 115 watts, making it the more power-efficient option for dense server deployments where thermal and energy constraints are critical.

For a system builder prioritizing maximum benchmark scores, the 6238 is the clear pick — it wins every head-to-head test and offers a higher base clock of 2.60 GHz. For a deployment focused on power efficiency, the 6366 HE’s 85-watt TDP represents a 26% reduction in thermal design power compared to the 6238, which could enable lower cooling requirements and higher rack density. The 6366 HE also launches with a higher MSRP of $575 versus $455 for the 6238, but this price difference is not justified by performance, as the data shows the 6238 actually scoring higher. Neither processor offers unlocked multipliers, and both are end-of-life, so availability and platform compatibility should be the deciding factors for most buyers.

Architecture Differences

The 6238 is based on the Bulldozer architecture with the codename Interlagos, while the 6366 HE uses the Piledriver architecture with the codename Abu Dhabi. Both are built on the same 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries, with identical transistor counts of 2,400 million and the same dual-die design measuring 2x 315 mm². The core count differs significantly: the 6238 has 12 cores and 12 threads, while the 6366 HE has 16 cores and 16 threads. Despite this, cache configurations are identical — 768 KB of L1, 2 MB per module of L2, and 8 MB per die of L3 — meaning the 6366 HE’s extra cores share the same total cache pool.

The memory subsystems also differ. Both support DDR3 with quad-channel buses, but the 6366 HE achieves a higher memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s compared to the 6238’s 51.2 GB/s. Both support ECC memory and use PCIe Gen 2, with no integrated graphics on either part. The clock speeds are a major differentiator: the 6238 runs at 2.60 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost, while the 6366 HE operates at a much lower 1.80 GHz base but boosts to a nearly comparable 3.10 GHz. The 6366 HE’s lower base clock likely contributes to its reduced TDP of 85 watts versus 115 watts, and its part number (OS6366VATGGHK) differs from the 6238’s (OS6238WKTCGGU). Release dates show the 6238 launching in November 2011, with the 6366 HE following one year later in November 2012.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Opteron 6366 HE has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Opteron 6238 has 12 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How much faster is the 6238 in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The 6238 scores 4781 versus 4771 for the 6366 HE, a 0.2% advantage.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The 6366 HE has a TDP of 85 watts, while the 6238 has a TDP of 115 watts, making the 6366 HE the more power-efficient part.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the 6238 and 6366 HE support ECC memory, and both use quad-channel DDR3.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The 6238 has a boost clock of 3.20 GHz, slightly higher than the 6366 HE’s 3.10 GHz.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each?

A: The 6238 has an average benchmark score of 1383, and the 6366 HE has an average benchmark score of 1379, a 0.3% difference in favor of the 6238.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 6238 wins in all six head-to-head Cinebench benchmarks: R15 multicore (481 vs 480), R15 singlecore (67 vs 67), R20 multicore (2008 vs 2003), R20 singlecore (283 vs 282), R23 multicore (4781 vs 4771), and R23 singlecore (675 vs 673). This sweep makes it the preferred choice for any workload where maximum Cinebench scores are the target, even though the margins are minimal. The 6238 also offers a higher base clock of 2.60 GHz, which can benefit lightly threaded tasks that do not reach boost frequencies.

The AMD Opteron 6366 HE wins on power efficiency, with an 85-watt TDP compared to 115 watts for the 6238. This lower thermal envelope is its primary advantage, making it suitable for power-constrained environments or systems where cooling capacity is limited. The 6366 HE also provides higher memory bandwidth at 59.7 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s, which could benefit memory-intensive workloads even if Cinebench does not show a gain. Its 16 cores provide theoretical multitasking headroom, though the benchmark data indicates this does not translate into higher scores in the tested applications.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. Core count varies from 12 (6238) to 16 (6366 HE), with corresponding thread counts of 12 and 16. The base clock is dramatically different: 2.60 GHz for the 6238 versus 1.80 GHz for the 6366 HE, while boost clocks are closer at 3.20 GHz and 3.10 GHz respectively. TDP is 115 watts for the 6238 and 85 watts for the 6366 HE. The architecture differs from Bulldozer (Interlagos) to Piledriver (Abu Dhabi), with the codename and generation fields reflecting this change. Memory bandwidth is higher on the 6366 HE at 59.7 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s. Release dates are November 2011 for the 6238 and November 2012 for the 6366 HE. Launch MSRP is $455 for the 6238 and $575 for the 6366 HE. The part numbers differ (OS6238WKTCGGU versus OS6366VATGGHK), and the 6366 HE’s product name includes the “HE” suffix denoting its high-efficiency designation. All other fields — socket, process node, foundry, transistor count, die size, cache sizes, memory type, memory bus, ECC support, PCIe generation, integrated graphics, market segment, production status, and multiplier unlock status — are identical between the two.