AMD Opteron 6238 vs AMD Ryzen 5 1400 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 and AMD Opteron 6238 are two very different processors from different eras. The Ryzen 5 1400 is a 4-core desktop chip from the 1000 series, while the Opteron 6238 is a 12-core server part from the Opteron 6000 series. Benchmark results show a split: the Ryzen dominates single-threaded workloads and older multi-threaded tests, while the Opteron takes the lead in the newer Cinebench R23 multi-core test. The data below breaks down the head-to-head results, architecture differences, and where each processor makes sense.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

In the head-to-head comparison, the Ryzen 5 1400 wins three of the four recorded tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen scores 688 against the Opteron's 481, a 43% advantage. The single-core R15 test is even more lopsided: 133.75 versus 67, a 99.6% lead for the Ryzen. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ryzen again wins, scoring 832 to the Opteron's 675, a 23.3% margin. The only test the Opteron takes is Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 4781 against the Ryzen's 3985, a 16.6% advantage. The average benchmark score across all tests is 1410 for the Ryzen and 1383 for the Opteron, with percentiles of 37 and 36 respectively. These numbers show that the Ryzen is far ahead in per-thread performance, while the Opteron's extra cores give it an edge in the most demanding multi-threaded workload.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on very different foundations. The Ryzen 5 1400 uses the Zen architecture on a 14 nm process, while the Opteron 6238 uses Bulldozer on a 32 nm process. Both are fabricated by GlobalFoundries, but the Ryzen packs 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die, whereas the Opteron has 2,400 million transistors spread across two 315 mm² dies. The Ryzen has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Opteron has 12 cores and 12 threads, meaning the Opteron lacks simultaneous multithreading. Base clocks are 3.20 GHz for the Ryzen and 2.60 GHz for the Opteron, with boost clocks of 3.40 GHz and 3.20 GHz respectively. The Ryzen has a 65 W TDP, the Opteron 115 W. Cache layouts differ: the Ryzen has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. The Opteron has 768 KB L1 total, 2 MB L2 per module, and 8 MB L3 per die. Memory support is DDR4 dual-channel for the Ryzen with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the Opteron uses DDR3 quad-channel with 51.2 GB/s. The Ryzen uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, the Opteron PCIe Gen 2. The Ryzen is a desktop part on Socket AM4, the Opteron a server/workstation part on Socket G34. The Ryzen has an unlocked multiplier, the Opteron does not. The Ryzen was released in April 2017 and is still active; the Opteron was released in November 2011 and is end-of-life.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results point to a clear split. The Ryzen 5 1400 wins every single-core test and the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test. That makes it the better choice for applications that rely on per-thread performance, such as most desktop productivity, web browsing, and older games. Its higher boost clock (3.40 GHz vs 3.20 GHz) and much stronger single-core scores (99.6% ahead in R15 single-core, 23.3% ahead in R23 single-core) give it a decisive edge in lightly threaded workloads. The Opteron 6238, on the other hand, wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test by 16.6%. This suggests that workloads which scale well beyond 8 threads and can use the Opteron's 12 physical cores will see a benefit. The Opteron also has higher memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s vs 42.7 GB/s) and quad-channel memory, which can help in memory-intensive server tasks. However, its single-core performance is far lower, so any workload that is not fully parallel will suffer. In short, the Ryzen wins for general desktop use and single-threaded tasks, while the Opteron wins for heavily threaded, memory-hungry server workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Opteron 6238 has 12 cores, while the Ryzen 5 1400 has 4 cores.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Ryzen 5 1400 boosts to 3.40 GHz, while the Opteron 6238 boosts to 3.20 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Both support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Opteron 6238 has 51.2 GB/s, while the Ryzen 5 1400 has 42.7 GB/s.

Q: Which processor is unlocked for overclocking?

A: The Ryzen 5 1400 has an unlocked multiplier, while the Opteron 6238 does not.

Q: Which processor is still in production?

A: The Ryzen 5 1400 is active, while the Opteron 6238 is end-of-life.

The Verdict

The data shows that the Ryzen 5 1400 is the stronger all-around processor for most users. It wins three of the four head-to-head benchmarks, has a higher average score (1410 vs 1383), and a higher percentile (37 vs 36). Its single-core performance is dramatically better, and it even wins the older multi-core test. The Opteron 6238 only wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, but that win is significant: 16.6% ahead. If your workload is heavily threaded and can use 12 cores, the Opteron's extra cores and higher memory bandwidth may be worth it. But for anything else, the Ryzen's superior per-thread performance and lower TDP (65 W vs 115 W) make it the practical choice. The Ryzen is also a desktop part with an unlocked multiplier, while the Opteron is a locked server chip. Given that the Opteron is end-of-life and the Ryzen is still active, the Ryzen is the more future-proof option.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen 5 1400 | AMD Opteron 6238 |

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

| Series | 1000 series | Opteron 6000 series |

| Cores | 4 | 12 |

| Threads | 8 | 12 |

| Base clock | 3.20 GHz | 2.60 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.40 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 115 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | AMD Socket G34 |

| Architecture | Zen | Bulldozer |

| Codename | Zen | Interlagos |

| Generation | Ryzen 5 (Zen (Summit Ridge)) | Opteron (Interlagos) |

| Process node | 14 nm | 32 nm |

| Transistors | 4,800 million | 2,400 million |

| Die size | 213 mm² | 2x 315 mm² |

| L1 cache | 96 KB (per core) | 768 KB |

| L2 cache | 512 KB (per core) | 2 MB (per module) |

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

| Memory support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 2 |

| Market segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Production status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release date | 2017-04-10 | 2011-11-13 |

| Launch MSRP | $169 | $455 |

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part number | YD1400BBM4KAEYD1400BBAEBOX | OS6238WKTCGGU |