AMD Opteron 6272 vs Intel Core i7-3615QM Comparison

The AMD Opteron 6272 and Intel Core i7-3615QM are two very different processors from different eras and market segments. The Opteron is a 16-core server part built on 32nm Bulldozer, while the i7 is a 4-core mobile chip on 22nm Ivy Bridge. Despite that, the recorded Cinebench results show the Opteron winning every head-to-head test, though by narrow margins. This analysis breaks down the architecture, benchmark data, and use cases for each.

The Verdict

Based on the database, the Opteron 6272 wins all six Cinebench comparisons, with deltas ranging from 1.2% to 1.6%. Its average benchmark score is 1288, slightly above the i7's 1260, and it sits at the 35th percentile versus the i7's 34th. For anyone running multi-threaded server or workstation workloads, the Opteron is the stronger choice in these tests. The i7-3615QM, however, is a mobile part with a 45W TDP, integrated HD 4000 graphics, and a much smaller footprint. If you need a laptop CPU, the i7 is the only one that fits; if you need a socketed server processor, the Opteron is the one. The data does not show the i7 winning any of the shared benchmarks, but its lower power draw and integrated graphics give it a different role.

Architecture Differences

Both CPUs use different process nodes and designs. The Opteron 6272 is built on GlobalFoundries' 32nm process with 2,400 million transistors on a dual-die package measuring 2x 315 mm². It has 16 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost of 3.00 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 768 KB of L1, 2 MB per module of L2, and 8 MB per die of L3. The i7-3615QM uses Intel's 22nm process with 1,400 million transistors on a single 160 mm² die. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base of 2.30 GHz and boost of 3.30 GHz. Its L1 is 64 KB per core, L2 is 256 KB per core, and L3 is 6 MB shared.

The Opteron supports quad-channel DDR3 with a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s and ECC memory. The i7 uses dual-channel memory and does not support ECC. The Opteron has PCIe Gen 2, while the i7's PCIe information is not recorded. The i7 includes integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics; the Opteron has none. The Opteron is a server/workstation part on AMD Socket G34, while the i7 is a mobile part on Intel BGA 1224. The Opteron was released on 2011-11-13, the i7 on 2012-04-28. The Opteron's launch MSRP was $523.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

All six recorded Cinebench tests show the Opteron 6272 ahead. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Opteron scores 448 against the i7's 442, a 1.4% lead. In single-core, it is 63 to 62, a 1.6% lead. Cinebench R20 multi-core: 1870 vs 1845, a 1.4% lead; single-core: 263 vs 260, a 1.2% lead. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 4454 vs 4393, a 1.4% lead; single-core: 628 vs 620, a 1.3% lead. The Opteron wins all six, but the margins are small, under 2%. This suggests that while the Opteron has four times the cores, its per-core performance is much lower, and the i7's higher clock speeds and newer architecture close the gap. The i7 also has Geekbench scores (1907 multi-core, 554 single-core) that are not recorded for the Opteron, so no direct comparison is possible there.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Opteron 6272 has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i7-3615QM has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which has a higher boost clock?

A: The i7-3615QM boosts to 3.30 GHz, while the Opteron 6272 boosts to 3.00 GHz.

Q: Does the Opteron support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Opteron 6272 supports ECC memory. The i7-3615QM does not.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The i7-3615QM includes Intel HD 4000 graphics. The Opteron 6272 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The Opteron 6272 has a TDP of 115W, while the i7-3615QM has a TDP of 45W.

Q: Which has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Opteron 6272 has an average benchmark score of 1288, compared to the i7's 1260.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded data, the Opteron 6272 wins every Cinebench test, so it is the better performer in those specific multi-threaded and single-threaded rendering workloads. Its 16 cores and 16 threads give it an edge in heavily parallel tasks, even though the per-core performance is lower. The i7-3615QM, on the other hand, has a much lower TDP (45W vs 115W), making it suitable for laptops and other power-constrained systems. It also has integrated graphics, which the Opteron lacks, so it can drive a display without a discrete GPU. The i7's higher base and boost clocks (2.30/3.30 GHz vs 2.10/3.00 GHz) help in lightly threaded tasks, but the Cinebench single-core scores still favor the Opteron by 1.2% to 1.6%. For a server or workstation where power and size are not primary concerns, the Opteron is the clear winner in these benchmarks. For a mobile system, the i7 is the only viable option given its socket and power envelope.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Opteron 6272 | Intel Core i7-3615QM |

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

| Cores | 16 | 4 |

| Threads | 16 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.00 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| TDP | 115W | 45W |

| Socket | AMD Socket G34 | Intel BGA 1224 |

| Architecture | Bulldozer | Ivy Bridge |

| 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 recorded |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 2 | Not recorded |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Intel HD 4000 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

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

| Production Status | End-of-life | Not recorded |

| Part Number | OS6272WKTGGGU | SR0MP |