AMD Opteron 6282 SE vs Intel Core i3-8300 Comparison

The AMD Opteron 6282 SE and Intel Core i3-8300 present a fascinating collision of eras: a 16-core server behemoth from 2011 facing a 4-core desktop chip from 2018. Despite the massive difference in core counts and architectural philosophy, the benchmark data reveals these two processors are virtually inseparable in overall performance, with the Opteron edging out the i3 by a razor-thin 0.3% in average benchmark score (1569 vs 1564). This creates a unique situation where the choice between them depends entirely on platform context rather than raw speed.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are remarkably consistent, with the AMD Opteron 6282 SE winning all six Cinebench comparisons, but by margins so small they border on statistical noise. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Opteron scores 546 against the i3-8300's 545, a 0.2% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows the Opteron ahead at 77 versus 76, a 1.3% lead—the largest delta in any test. Moving to Cinebench R20, the Opteron maintains its edge: 2279 versus 2271 in multicore (0.4% ahead) and 321 versus 320 in single-core (0.3% ahead). The pattern continues in Cinebench R23, where the Opteron posts 5427 versus 5408 in multicore and 766 versus 763 in single-core, both representing a 0.4% lead.

What makes these results striking is the architectural gulf between the two chips. The Opteron 6282 SE is a 16-core, 16-thread Bulldozer part with a 2.60 GHz base clock and 3.30 GHz boost, while the i3-8300 is a 4-core, 4-thread Coffee Lake chip running at a fixed 3.70 GHz. The fact that a modern quad-core can match a sixteen-core server processor in multi-threaded workloads speaks to the massive IPC (instructions per clock) improvements Intel achieved between 2011 and 2018. Meanwhile, the Opteron's ability to stay ahead even in single-core tests, despite its much lower clock speed, suggests Bulldozer's single-thread performance was not as far behind as commonly believed—or that Cinebench's older rendering engine favors its architecture.

Both CPUs land at the 39th percentile among all CPUs tested, reinforcing their status as mid-pack performers. The Opteron's nearest rivals beyond the i3-8300 include the Intel Core i5-6600T (0.4% behind), AMD Ryzen 3 1300X (0.5% behind), and the AMD Opteron 6276 (0.6% behind). For the i3-8300, the same cluster appears, with the i5-6600T at 0% delta and the Ryzen 3 1300X 0.1% behind. This tight grouping of five processors within a 0.6% performance band indicates that any of these chips would deliver nearly identical user experience in Cinebench workloads.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear picture: neither processor offers a meaningful performance advantage over the other in the tested benchmarks. The Opteron 6282 SE wins all six head-to-head tests, but its largest margin is just 1.3% in Cinebench R15 single-core. For practical purposes, these are equally fast CPUs in Cinebench workloads.

The real differentiators lie outside raw benchmark scores. The Opteron 6282 SE is a server/workstation part on AMD Socket G34, supporting quad-channel DDR3 memory with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth and ECC memory. The Core i3-8300 is a desktop chip on Intel Socket 1151, using dual-channel DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, also supporting ECC memory. The Opteron's 140W TDP versus the i3's 62W TDP means the Intel chip is far easier to cool and power, while the Opteron's 16 cores could prove more valuable in workloads not captured by these Cinebench tests—though the data provided does not include such workloads.

Users with an existing G34 server platform should stick with the Opteron 6282 SE, as its performance is effectively equal to the i3-8300 while offering more cores for potential future scaling. Users building a new system should choose the i3-8300 for its dramatically lower power draw, smaller footprint, and access to newer platform features like PCIe Gen 3 and integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630). The i3-8300's launch MSRP of $138 also makes it a sensible choice for new builds, though pricing considerations should not factor into this analysis beyond noting the figure.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Opteron 6282 SE has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i3-8300 has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Does the Opteron 6282 SE beat the i3-8300 in all benchmarks?

A: Yes, the Opteron 6282 SE wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests (R15, R20, R23 in both single-core and multi-core), with margins ranging from 0.2% to 1.3%.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between these two CPUs?

A: The Opteron 6282 SE has an average benchmark score of 1569, while the i3-8300 scores 1564, giving the Opteron a 0.3% advantage.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: Both the AMD Opteron 6282 SE and the Intel Core i3-8300 support ECC memory.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Opteron 6282 SE supports quad-channel DDR3 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the i3-8300 uses dual-channel DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i3-8300 includes UHD Graphics 630, while the AMD Opteron 6282 SE has no integrated graphics.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification category. The Opteron 6282 SE features 16 cores and 16 threads, while the i3-8300 has 4 cores and 4 threads. Clock speeds diverge significantly: the Opteron has a 2.60 GHz base clock boosting to 3.30 GHz, whereas the i3 runs at a fixed 3.70 GHz with no boost clock listed. Thermal design power shows a 78W gap—the Opteron draws 140W against the i3's 62W.

Platform support differs completely: the Opteron uses AMD Socket G34, while the i3 uses Intel Socket 1151. Memory configurations vary, with the Opteron supporting quad-channel DDR3 at 51.2 GB/s and the i3 using dual-channel DDR4 at 38.4 GB/s. PCIe connectivity favors the Intel chip with Gen 3 and 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Opteron uses Gen 2. The i3 includes UHD Graphics 630 integrated graphics; the Opteron has none. Market segments also differ: the Opteron targets Server/Workstation, while the i3 targets Desktop. The Opteron's part number is OS6282YETGGGU, and the i3's is SR3XY.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is generational. The Opteron 6282 SE uses AMD's Bulldozer architecture on a 32 nm process with a codename of Interlagos, part of the Opteron 6000 series. Its transistor count is 2,400 million spread across two 315 mm² dies. Cache configuration is module-based: 768 KB of L1, 2 MB per module of L2, and 8 MB per die of L3.

The i3-8300 uses Intel's Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process, manufactured by Intel. Its die size is a single 126 mm² piece. Cache is per-core: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The Opteron's cache design reflects its dual-die module layout, while the i3's shared L3 pool is more straightforward for a quad-core design.

The Opteron was released in November 2011, while the i3 arrived in February 2018—a gap of over six years. Both are now end-of-life products. The Opteron's launch MSRP was $1019, while the i3's was $138. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The Opteron 6282 SE wins every benchmark test in the data, but the practical significance of those wins is minimal. Its largest advantage, 1.3% in Cinebench R15 single-core, would be imperceptible in real-world use. The Opteron's theoretical edge lies in its 16 cores, which could handle heavily parallelized server workloads far beyond what Cinebench measures—though no such benchmark data is provided here.

The i3-8300's advantages are not reflected in these particular benchmark scores but in platform characteristics. Its 62W TDP makes it suitable for compact desktop builds with modest cooling. The integrated UHD Graphics 630 provides display output without a discrete GPU. PCIe Gen 3 support offers modern expansion bandwidth. The dual-channel DDR4 memory, while lower bandwidth than the Opteron's quad-channel DDR3, is more common and cost-effective in desktop systems.

For new builds, the i3-8300 is the logical choice due to its platform modernity and efficiency. For existing G34 server platforms, the Opteron 6282 SE remains a capable part that matches the i3 in these tests while offering more cores. The data shows two very different approaches to CPU design converging on identical performance—a rare and noteworthy result.