CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i7-8665U and AMD Opteron 6344 occupy opposite ends of the computing spectrum, yet their benchmark scores are remarkably close. The data shows a mobile, low-power Intel part from 2018 squaring off against a server-grade AMD chip from 2012. Across all six Cinebench tests, the Intel Core i7-8665U wins every single matchup, but the margins are consistently narrow, ranging from 1.3% to 1.5%. This creates a fascinating dynamic where a 4-core, 8-thread processor with a 15W TDP edges out a 12-core, 12-thread server chip with a 115W TDP in every measured workload.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are uniform in direction but tight in magnitude. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the Intel Core i7-8665U scores 527 against the AMD Opteron 6344’s 519, a 1.5% advantage. The single-core R15 result is nearly identical in percentage: Intel scores 74 versus AMD’s 73, a 1.4% lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the Intel part posts 2197 in multi-core versus 2166 for AMD, another 1.4% margin, while the single-core scores are 309 and 305, a 1.3% difference.

The pattern holds in the newest benchmark generation. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows Intel at 5232 and AMD at 5158, a 1.4% gap. The R23 single-core test delivers 738 for Intel and 728 for AMD, again 1.4%. With six wins out of six head-to-head matchups, the Intel Core i7-8665U is the undisputed winner in this comparison, yet the largest delta across any test is just 1.5%. This is not a case of one processor dominating another; it is a case of consistent, marginal superiority.

The average benchmark scores reinforce this picture. The Intel Core i7-8665U has an average benchmark score of 1513, while the AMD Opteron 6344 sits at 1492. Both processors share the same 38th percentile ranking among all CPUs, indicating they perform in the same general tier. The nearest rivals for the Intel part include the Intel Pentium Gold G7400E (average score 1524, delta -0.7%) and the Intel Core i3-8100T (average score 1500, delta 0.9%). For the AMD Opteron 6344, the closest competitor is the Intel Core i5-4590S with an identical average score of 1493 (delta 0%), followed by the Intel Core i7-3770S at 1498 (delta -0.4%).

FAQ

Q: Which processor won the most head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core i7-8665U won all six head-to-head Cinebench tests against the AMD Opteron 6344, with deltas ranging from 1.3% to 1.5%.

Q: What is the largest performance gap observed between the two processors?

A: The largest delta is 1.5%, occurring in the Cinebench R15 multi-core test where the Intel Core i7-8665U scored 527 versus the AMD Opteron 6344’s 519.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i7-8665U has an average benchmark score of 1513, while the AMD Opteron 6344 has an average score of 1492, a difference of 21 points.

Q: Do both processors rank in the same percentile among all CPUs?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i7-8665U and the AMD Opteron 6344 are in the 38th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: What are the closest rivals to each processor based on average score?

A: The Intel Core i7-8665U’s nearest rival is the Intel Pentium Gold G7400E (1524 average score, -0.7% delta), while the AMD Opteron 6344’s nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-4590S (1493 average score, 0% delta).

Q: Is the AMD Opteron 6344 ahead of the Intel part in any benchmark category?

A: No, the head-to-head data shows the AMD Opteron 6344 trailing the Intel Core i7-8665U in all six Cinebench tests, with zero wins.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-8665U uses the Whiskey Lake architecture, built on a 14 nm process node at Intel’s own foundry. It is a single-die design with 4 cores and 8 threads, enabling simultaneous multithreading. The cache layout is straightforward: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 620, and the processor supports DDR3 and DDR4 memory through a dual-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth. ECC memory is not supported. The PCIe interface is Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The AMD Opteron 6344, in contrast, is a server-oriented Piledriver architecture part, codenamed Abu Dhabi, built on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 12 cores and 12 threads, with no SMT support. The transistor count is 2,400 million spread across a die size of 2x 315 mm², indicating a dual-die module design. Cache is organized as 576 KB of L1, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 8 MB of L3 per die. Memory support is limited to DDR3, but the memory bus is quad-channel, delivering 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth. ECC memory is supported, which is typical for server parts. The PCIe interface is Gen 2.

The process node difference is stark: 14 nm versus 32 nm, giving Intel a significant manufacturing advantage. The AMD part compensates with raw core count and a quad-channel memory controller that offers 55% more theoretical bandwidth (59.7 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s). However, the Intel part’s modern architecture and higher clock speeds allow it to overcome the core count deficit in these Cinebench workloads.

Specification Differences

The specification sheet reveals how differently these two processors are configured. The Intel Core i7-8665U has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Opteron 6344 offers 12 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks differ substantially: Intel runs at 1900.00 MHz, AMD at 2600.00 MHz. Boost clocks show an even larger gap: Intel reaches 4.80 GHz, while AMD tops out at 3.20 GHz. The TDP is the most dramatic difference: Intel draws 15W, AMD draws 115W.

Memory configurations diverge as well. Intel supports both DDR3 and DDR4 with a dual-channel bus, while AMD only supports DDR3 but with a quad-channel bus. Memory bandwidth is 38.4 GB/s for Intel versus 59.7 GB/s for AMD. ECC memory support is absent on the Intel part but present on the AMD part. The sockets are incompatible: Intel uses BGA 1528, AMD uses Socket G34. The process node is 14 nm for Intel and 32 nm for AMD, and the foundries differ (Intel versus GlobalFoundries).

The Intel part includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 620), while the AMD part has none. Market segments are distinct: Intel targets mobile, AMD targets server/workstation. Release dates are separated by roughly six years, with Intel launching on 2018-09-30 and AMD on 2012-11-04. Both parts are end-of-life and have locked multipliers. The launch MSRP is $409 for Intel and $415 for AMD. The AMD part carries a larger transistor count (2,400 million versus no listed figure for Intel) and a larger die size (2x 315 mm² versus no listed figure for Intel).

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-8665U wins every benchmark category in this head-to-head comparison. Its single-core performance is consistently higher, with R15 single-core at 74 versus 73, R20 single-core at 309 versus 305, and R23 single-core at 738 versus 728. This suggests the Intel part is better suited for lightly threaded workloads and applications that depend on high clock speeds. The boost clock of 4.80 GHz, combined with the newer Whiskey Lake architecture, gives it a clear edge in single-threaded responsiveness.

The Intel part also wins all multi-core tests, despite having only one-third the core count of the AMD part. R15 multi-core shows 527 versus 519, R20 multi-core shows 2197 versus 2166, and R23 multi-core shows 5232 versus 5158. The 15W TDP combined with a 4.80 GHz boost clock indicates that the Intel part can deliver competitive multi-threaded results while consuming dramatically less power. This makes it the obvious choice for mobile computing where battery life and thermals are critical.

The AMD Opteron 6344 does not win any benchmark category, but its strengths lie elsewhere in the specification sheet. It offers 12 physical cores, quad-channel DDR3 memory with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth, and ECC memory support. These features point toward server workloads that require high memory throughput and error correction, even if Cinebench does not reflect an advantage. The 115W TDP and Socket G34 platform are designed for multi-socket server configurations, not single-processor mobile systems.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture: the Intel Core i7-8665U is the better processor for Cinebench workloads, winning all six head-to-head tests with margins between 1.3% and 1.5%. It achieves this with a 4-core, 8-thread configuration, a 15W TDP, and a 4.80 GHz boost clock, outperforming a 12-core server chip with a 115W TDP. Users who prioritize single-threaded performance, power efficiency, or integrated graphics should choose the Intel Core i7-8665U.

The AMD Opteron 6344, despite losing every benchmark, remains relevant for specific use cases. Its 12 cores, quad-channel memory bus, and ECC support make it suitable for server environments where memory bandwidth and data integrity matter more than raw Cinebench scores. The 59.7 GB/s of memory bandwidth is 55% higher than the Intel part’s 38.4 GB/s, and ECC memory is a hard requirement for many enterprise applications. However, for any workload captured by Cinebench R15, R20, or R23, the Intel Core i7-8665U is the faster part.

The average benchmark scores place both processors at the 38th percentile, meaning they are not top-tier performers. The Intel part’s average score of 1513 puts it in the same league as the Intel Pentium Gold G7400E and Intel Core i5-4670S, while the AMD part’s 1492 average aligns with the Intel Core i5-4590S and Intel Core i7-3770S. Neither processor is a modern powerhouse, but the Intel Core i7-8665U delivers superior performance per watt and per core, making it the more versatile choice for general computing. The AMD Opteron 6344 is defined by its platform features, not its benchmark scores.