AMD Opteron 6238 vs Intel Core i7-3615QE Comparison

The AMD Opteron 6238 and Intel Core i7-3615QE sit at nearly identical average benchmark scores, with the Opteron at 1383 and the Intel part at 1381—a gap of just 0.2%. Both processors land in the 36th percentile of all CPUs in the database, making them direct contemporaries in overall throughput despite radically different designs. The data shows a 12-core server chip from AMD trading blows with a 4-core mobile chip from Intel, and the results are far closer than their architectural differences would suggest.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Across the six Cinebench tests recorded, the AMD Opteron 6238 wins every single round, but the margins are razor-thin. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, both chips score exactly 481 points, with the Opteron awarded the win on a 0% delta. The single-core R15 test is identical: 67 points for each, again a 0% delta in AMD’s favor.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the Opteron takes multi-core with 2008 points against the i7-3615QE’s 2005, a 0.1% advantage. Single-core R20 is a dead tie at 283 points each, with AMD getting the nominal win. The R23 results follow the same pattern: the Opteron scores 4781 in multi-core versus 4774 for Intel, and 675 versus 674 in single-core, both 0.1% deltas.

What stands out is that the Opteron 6238 wins all six head-to-head matchups, yet the largest margin is just 0.1%. The practical takeaway is that these two chips are effectively identical in Cinebench workloads, with the AMD part holding a statistical edge so small it would be imperceptible in real-world use. The Intel chip’s closest rival in the database is the Opteron 6238 itself, with a -0.1% delta, confirming that these two are peers in raw compute.

Architecture Differences

The Opteron 6238 is a Bulldozer-based server processor built on GlobalFoundries’ 32 nm process, packing 2,400 million transistors across a dual-die design measuring 2x 315 mm². It uses the AMD Socket G34 platform, supports quad-channel DDR3 memory with 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth, and includes ECC memory support. Its cache layout is modular: 768 KB of L1, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 8 MB of L3 per die. The chip has 12 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost of 3.20 GHz, all within a 115 W TDP.

The i7-3615QE is an Ivy Bridge mobile processor from Intel, fabricated on a 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. It uses the Intel BGA 1023 socket, supports dual-channel DDR3 (no bandwidth figure listed), and lacks ECC memory support. The cache is per-core: 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 6 MB of shared L3. It has 4 cores and 8 threads via Hyper-Threading, with a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost of 3.30 GHz, running at a much lower 45 W TDP. The Intel part also includes integrated HD 4000 graphics, which the Opteron lacks entirely.

The transistor counts and die sizes tell the story: AMD threw more silicon at the problem with double the die area and 1,000 million more transistors, while Intel achieved comparable results with a smaller, more power-efficient design. The Opteron’s higher TDP and server-oriented memory subsystem contrast sharply with the i7’s mobile focus and integrated GPU. The Opteron also has twice the physical cores, yet its modular Bulldozer design delivers performance parity rather than dominance.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the data, the AMD Opteron 6238 is the winner on benchmark score, taking all six head-to-head tests with deltas ranging from 0% to 0.1%. However, the margins are negligible—the average scores differ by just 2 points out of roughly 1380. If your priority is raw Cinebench throughput, the Opteron is technically ahead, but the difference is within measurement noise.

The i7-3615QE wins on efficiency and platform features. Its 45 W TDP is dramatically lower than the Opteron’s 115 W, and it includes integrated graphics, making it a self-contained solution for compact systems. The Opteron requires a discrete GPU and a server-class G34 motherboard with quad-channel memory, which implies a larger physical footprint and more power draw. For a mobile or small-form-factor build, the Intel chip is the only sensible choice given its socket and TDP. For a server or workstation where ECC memory and quad-channel bandwidth matter, the Opteron offers those capabilities.

The verdict is context-dependent. The Opteron 6238 is the better choice if you need server-grade memory support and can tolerate its power envelope. The i7-3615QE is the better choice if you want comparable compute in a mobile package with integrated graphics and lower power consumption. Neither chip has a meaningful performance advantage over the other.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Opteron 6238 | Intel Core i7-3615QE |

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

| Cores | 12 | 4 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.60 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.20 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| TDP | 115 W | 45 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket G34 | Intel BGA 1023 |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 22 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 2,400 million | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | 2x 315 mm² | 160 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 768 KB | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per module) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (per die) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | Not listed |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Intel HD 4000 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2011-11-13 | 2012-04-28 |

| Launch MSRP | $455 | Not listed |

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores?

A: The AMD Opteron 6238 has 12 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i7-3615QE has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the Intel chip wins?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the Opteron 6238 winning all six Cinebench tests, with deltas of 0% to 0.1%.

Q: Does the Intel chip support ECC memory?

A: No. ECC memory support is listed only for the AMD Opteron 6238; the i7-3615QE does not support it.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The Opteron 6238 has a 115 W TDP, while the i7-3615QE has a 45 W TDP, a difference of 70 W.

Q: Which CPU includes integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i7-3615QE includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 4000). The AMD Opteron 6238 has no integrated graphics.

Q: How close are their average benchmark scores?

A: The Opteron 6238 averages 1383, and the i7-3615QE averages 1381, a difference of 0.2%.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 6238 wins every single benchmark comparison in the data, so on pure performance it takes the crown. Its wins are most meaningful in multi-threaded workloads where its 12 physical cores can be utilized—Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 2008 versus 2005, and R23 multi-core shows 4781 versus 4774. The Opteron also holds the edge in memory bandwidth with 51.2 GB/s over quad-channel DDR3, which matters for server workloads involving large data sets. Its ECC memory support makes it the clear choice for reliability-sensitive applications like file servers or database hosts.

The Intel Core i7-3615QE wins on power efficiency and platform integration. Its 45 W TDP is less than half the Opteron’s 115 W, making it suitable for laptops, all-in-ones, and compact desktops where cooling and power budgets are tight. The integrated HD 4000 graphics eliminate the need for a separate GPU, which is a decisive advantage in small-form-factor or mobile builds. Its higher boost clock of 3.30 GHz versus 3.20 GHz gives it a slight edge in lightly threaded tasks, though the benchmark data shows single-core scores are effectively tied. The Intel chip also benefits from a newer release date and a smaller 22 nm process, which contributes to its lower power draw.

In terms of raw compute, the Opteron wins by a hair across the board. In terms of system design, the i7-3615QE wins by a wide margin because it packs comparable performance into a fraction of the power envelope with integrated graphics. For a builder prioritizing multi-core throughput and server-class memory features, the Opteron 6238 is the pick. For anyone needing a low-power, self-contained processor with similar Cinebench results, the i7-3615QE is the data-backed choice.