CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i3-9100TE and the AMD Opteron 6238 sit at nearly identical average benchmark scores, with the Intel part at 1386 and the AMD part at 1383, a difference of just 0.3% that places them as direct rivals in the database. However, a closer look at the individual workload results reveals a starkly one-sided performance relationship, with the older AMD server chip winning every single head-to-head test by a consistent margin. The data paints a clear picture: while these processors are statistical siblings in overall standing, the Opteron 6238 delivers meaningfully higher raw throughput across all Cinebench versions, while the Core i3-9100TE counters with vastly superior platform efficiency and modern features.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unambiguous, as the AMD Opteron 6238 claims victory in all six head-to-head comparisons. The largest single-core gap appears in Cinebench R23, where the Opteron scores 675 against the Core i3's 550, a delta of -18.5% in favor of AMD. This pattern repeats across every generation of the Cinebench test: in R15 single-core, the Opteron posts 67 versus 55 (-17.9%), and in R20 single-core, it scores 283 versus 231 (-18.4%). These are not marginal wins; the Opteron is consistently about 18% faster in single-threaded workloads, which is notable given that the Intel chip has a higher boost clock advantage in some scenarios.

The multi-core results tell the same story with slightly larger margins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Opteron 6238 scores 481 versus the Core i3's 393, a -18.3% delta. The R20 multi-core test shows the Opteron at 2008 and the Intel at 1638, again -18.4%. The R23 multi-core result is the most decisive, with the Opteron reaching 4781 compared to the Core i3's 3900, a -18.4% difference. When you consider that the Opteron packs 12 cores versus the Intel's 4, the consistent ~18% advantage might seem modest, but it reflects the Bulldozer architecture's limitations in scaling multi-threaded performance efficiently.

Looking at the broader context, the Core i3-9100TE's average benchmark score of 1386 puts it 0.3% ahead of the Opteron 6238's 1383, meaning the two are statistically tied in the database's overall ranking. The Intel chip also sits just 0.1% behind the AMD Opteron 6274 (score 1387) and 0.4% ahead of the Intel Core i7-3615QE (score 1381). The Opteron 6238, meanwhile, is 0.2% behind the i7-3615QE and 0.3% ahead of the AMD Opteron 6366 HE (score 1379). What this means is that while the Opteron wins every head-to-head benchmark, the aggregate scores are so close that these processors effectively occupy the same performance tier, with the margins between all four rivals being less than a single percentage point.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split based on workload priorities and platform constraints. If raw compute throughput in Cinebench-style workloads is the primary concern, the AMD Opteron 6238 is the winner, as it outperforms the Core i3-9100TE by roughly 18% in every test category. This makes it the better choice for multi-threaded rendering or batch processing tasks where every bit of performance matters and where the 115W TDP and server-grade platform are acceptable trade-offs. The Opteron's 12 cores and 12 threads provide a structural advantage that the Intel chip cannot overcome despite its newer architecture.

However, the Intel Core i3-9100TE is the more sensible pick for desktop or embedded applications where power efficiency, modern connectivity, and integrated graphics are critical. The 35W TDP is a fraction of the Opteron's 115W, making it far easier to cool and suitable for compact builds. The inclusion of UHD Graphics 630 means no discrete GPU is required for basic display output, which the Opteron cannot offer with its lack of integrated graphics. The Core i3 also supports DDR4 memory and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, whereas the Opteron is limited to DDR3 and PCIe Gen 2, making the Intel part the better foundation for a modern system.

For users building a new machine today, the Core i3-9100TE's release in 2019 versus the Opteron's 2011 launch means significantly better platform longevity and software compatibility. The Opteron's Socket G34 and DDR3 memory are legacy technologies, while the Intel Socket 1151 and DDR4 remain more viable for current applications. The data does not show the Intel chip winning any benchmark, so the recommendation for it rests entirely on efficiency, features, and platform modernity rather than raw performance.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is generational and substantial. The Intel Core i3-9100TE is built on a 14 nm process by Intel, featuring a monolithic die that measures 126 mm². It uses the Coffee Lake architecture with 4 cores and 4 threads, each core having 64 KB of L1 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache, with a shared 6 MB L3 cache. The single-threaded performance is strong relative to its core count, and the boost clock of 3.20 GHz matches the Opteron's maximum, though the base clock is lower at 2.20 GHz.

The AMD Opteron 6238, in contrast, is a 32 nm part fabricated by GlobalFoundries, using the Bulldozer architecture with the codename Interlagos. It has 12 cores and 12 threads, organized into modules where each pair of cores shares 2 MB of L2 cache, and each die has 8 MB of L3 cache. The processor is physically huge, with two dies each measuring 315 mm², totaling 2,400 million transistors. The base clock is higher at 2.60 GHz, but the boost clock is identical at 3.20 GHz. The Bulldozer design was AMD's attempt at high-core-count throughput, but it sacrifices per-core efficiency, which explains why the 12-core Opteron only manages an 18% lead over the 4-core Intel chip in multi-threaded tests.

The memory architectures also diverge sharply. The Intel chip uses dual-channel DDR4 with a theoretical bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the Opteron uses quad-channel DDR3 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Opteron's higher memory bandwidth does not translate into a proportional performance advantage in the benchmarks, suggesting that the Cinebench workloads are more compute-bound than memory-bound. Both processors support ECC memory, which is expected for the server-oriented Opteron and a welcome feature on the desktop-class Core i3.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category, reflecting their different market positions. The Intel Core i3-9100TE has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD Opteron 6238 has 12 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks differ, with the Intel at 2.20 GHz and the AMD at 2.60 GHz, though both boost to 3.20 GHz. The TDP is a massive differentiator: 35W for the Intel versus 115W for the AMD. Process nodes are 14 nm versus 32 nm, and die sizes are 126 mm² versus 2x 315 mm². The Intel chip has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD has 8 MB per die. Memory support is DDR4 dual-channel versus DDR3 quad-channel, with bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s. PCIe support is Gen 3 with 16 lanes versus Gen 2. The Intel part includes UHD Graphics 630, while the AMD has no integrated graphics. Sockets are Intel Socket 1151 versus AMD Socket G34. Release dates are 2019 versus 2011, and the launch MSRP is $122 for the Intel and $455 for the AMD.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Opteron 6238 scores 675 in Cinebench R23 single-core, compared to the Intel Core i3-9100TE's 550, giving the AMD part an 18.5% advantage.

Q: How do the multi-core scores compare in Cinebench R20?

A: The Opteron 6238 scores 2008 in Cinebench R20 multi-core, while the Core i3-9100TE scores 1638, a difference of -18.4% in favor of AMD.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The Intel Core i3-9100TE has a TDP of 35W, while the AMD Opteron 6238 has a TDP of 115W, making the Intel chip significantly more power-efficient.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-9100TE have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes UHD Graphics 630. The AMD Opteron 6238 has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: The Intel Core i3-9100TE supports DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The AMD Opteron 6238 supports DDR3 in a quad-channel configuration.

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

A: The Intel Core i3-9100TE has an average benchmark score of 1386, while the AMD Opteron 6238 has an average score of 1383, a 0.3% difference.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 6238 wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, making it the clear choice for pure computational throughput. It wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core (481 vs 393), R15 single-core (67 vs 55), R20 multi-core (2008 vs 1638), R20 single-core (283 vs 231), R23 multi-core (4781 vs 3900), and R23 single-core (675 vs 550). If your workload is heavily threaded and you can tolerate a 115W TDP, a server motherboard with Socket G34, and DDR3 memory, the Opteron delivers more rendering performance per dollar of launch MSRP ($455 versus $122), though that price differential is not a factor in the benchmark data itself.

The Intel Core i3-9100TE wins in platform efficiency and suitability for modern desktop use. Its 35W TDP allows for passive or low-profile cooling solutions, and the integrated UHD Graphics 630 eliminates the need for a separate GPU. The DDR4 memory support and PCIe Gen 3 connectivity provide a more current foundation, and the Socket 1151 platform offers far more motherboard options for general-purpose computing. The Intel chip's 2019 release date versus the Opteron's 2011 release also means better support for contemporary operating systems and software. The data shows the Intel part is competitive in average score (1386 vs 1383) despite losing every benchmark, making it the better all-rounder for anyone who does not need the Opteron's raw multi-core edge.