AMD Opteron 6238 vs Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 Comparison
AMD Opteron 6238
Xeon E3-1226 v3
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: AMD Opteron 6238 vs Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3
The AMD Opteron 6238 and Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 are two end-of-life server/workstation processors from different design generations. The Opteron 6238 is a 12-core Bulldozer part from the Opteron 6000 series, while the Xeon E3-1226 v3 is a 4-core Haswell part. Both support DDR3 memory and ECC, but they differ sharply in core count, clock speeds, and platform features. The recorded benchmark data shows a consistent edge for the AMD part across all Cinebench tests.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The head-to-head results are unambiguous: the AMD Opteron 6238 wins all six recorded Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Opteron scores 481 against the Xeon's 472, a 1.9% lead. The single-core R15 test shows 67 versus 66, a 1.5% margin. Moving to Cinebench R20, the Opteron posts 2008 multi-core and 283 single-core, while the Xeon records 1970 and 278, giving the AMD part 1.9% and 1.8% advantages respectively. In Cinebench R23, the Opteron reaches 4781 multi-core and 675 single-core, compared to the Xeon's 4692 and 662, with deltas of 1.9% and 2.0%. The largest single margin is the 2.0% in R23 single-core.
The average benchmark scores reinforce this pattern. The Opteron 6238 has an average score of 1383, while the Xeon E3-1226 v3 sits at 1357. Both processors occupy the 36th percentile among all CPUs in the database, indicating they are in a similar overall performance tier. The nearest rivals for the Opteron include the Intel Core i7-3615QE (average 1381, delta 0.2%) and the Intel Core i3-9100TE (average 1386, delta -0.2%). For the Xeon, the nearest rivals are the Intel Core i5-6500T (average 1362, delta -0.3%) and the Intel Xeon W-2104 (average 1350, delta 0.5%). These comparisons show that both chips sit within a narrow band of performance, but the Opteron consistently edges ahead in every direct test.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has more cores?
A: The AMD Opteron 6238 has 12 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 has 4 cores and 4 threads.
Q: Which has higher base and boost clock speeds?
A: The Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 has higher clocks: a base of 3.30 GHz and a boost of 3.70 GHz, compared to the Opteron's 2.60 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost.
Q: Which has more cache?
A: The Opteron 6238 has 768 KB of L1 cache, 2 MB per module of L2, and 8 MB per die of L3. The Xeon has 64 KB per core of L1, 256 KB per core of L2, and 8 MB shared L3. The total L3 capacity is similar, but the layout differs: per-die versus shared.
Q: Which has higher memory bandwidth?
A: The Opteron 6238 uses quad-channel DDR3 with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Xeon uses dual-channel DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s.
Q: Which has integrated graphics?
A: The Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 includes Intel HD P4600 integrated graphics. The AMD Opteron 6238 has no integrated graphics.
Q: Which uses a smaller manufacturing process?
A: The Intel Xeon is built on a 22 nm process, while the AMD Opteron uses a 32 nm process.
Where Each One Wins
Based on the recorded benchmarks, the AMD Opteron 6238 wins every head-to-head Cinebench test, with margins ranging from 1.5% to 2.0%. This makes it the stronger choice for raw CPU performance in these workloads, both multi-threaded and single-threaded. However, the Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 holds advantages in other areas that are not captured by Cinebench. It has a lower TDP of 84 watts versus 115 watts, higher base and boost clocks, integrated graphics, and PCIe Gen 3 support with 16 lanes. For environments where power consumption, graphics output, or newer PCIe connectivity matter, the Xeon may be the more practical option. The data shows a clear performance winner, but the platform features tell a different story.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The Opteron 6238 has 12 cores and 12 threads, while the Xeon has 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 2.60 GHz versus 3.30 GHz, and boost clocks are 3.20 GHz versus 3.70 GHz. TDP is 115 watts for the AMD part and 84 watts for the Intel part. The Opteron uses AMD Socket G34, while the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1150. The Opteron is built on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries with 2,400 million transistors on a dual-die design of 2x 315 mm². The Xeon uses a 22 nm process at Intel with 1,400 million transistors on a single 160 mm² die. Cache configurations differ: the Opteron has 768 KB L1, 2 MB per module L2, and 8 MB per die L3; the Xeon has 64 KB per core L1, 256 KB per core L2, and 8 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR3 for both, but the Opteron uses quad-channel with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the Xeon uses dual-channel with 25.6 GB/s. PCIe support is Gen 2 for the Opteron and Gen 3 with 16 lanes for the Xeon. The Xeon includes Intel HD P4600 integrated graphics; the Opteron has none. Release dates are 2011-11-13 for the Opteron and 2014-05-10 for the Xeon. The Opteron had a launch MSRP of $455, and the Xeon had a launch MSRP of $213. Part numbers are OS6238WKTCGGU for the Opteron and SR1R0 for the Xeon. Both are end-of-life, server/workstation parts with locked multipliers and ECC memory support.
Architecture Differences
The architectural divide is fundamental. The Opteron 6238 uses AMD's Bulldozer architecture, codenamed Interlagos, from the Opteron 6000 series. It is a 12-core design built on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries, with a dual-die package (2x 315 mm²). The Xeon E3-1226 v3 uses Intel's Haswell architecture, codenamed Haswell-WS, from the Xeon E3 family. It is a 4-core design on a 22 nm process at Intel, with a single 160 mm² die. Cache organization reflects the different philosophies: the Opteron uses per-module L2 (2 MB per module) and per-die L3 (8 MB per die), while the Xeon uses per-core L1 and L2 (64 KB and 256 KB per core) and a shared 8 MB L3. Memory controllers also differ: the Opteron has a quad-channel DDR3 interface with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the Xeon has a dual-channel interface with 25.6 GB/s. PCIe support is Gen 2 on the Opteron and Gen 3 with 16 lanes on the Xeon. The Xeon also integrates Intel HD P4600 graphics, a feature absent from the Opteron. These architectural choices explain the benchmark results: the Opteron's higher core count and wider memory bus compensate for its lower clock speeds and older process node, while the Xeon's higher clocks and newer process help it stay close in single-threaded tests.
The Verdict
The data points to a clear performance winner: the AMD Opteron 6238 takes all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, with margins up to 2.0%. Its average benchmark score of 1383 exceeds the Xeon's 1357, and both sit at the 36th percentile. For workloads that rely on Cinebench-style rendering, the Opteron is the better choice. However, the Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 offers lower power consumption (84 watts versus 115), higher clock speeds, integrated graphics, and PCIe Gen 3 support. These features may be decisive for systems that prioritize efficiency, graphics output, or modern connectivity. The choice depends on whether raw benchmark performance or platform features matter more. The recorded data shows the Opteron ahead in every measured test, but the Xeon brings a different set of strengths to the table.