AMD Opteron 6366 HE vs Intel Core i7-3740QM Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a remarkably consistent picture: the Intel Core i7-3740QM wins every single head-to-head comparison against the AMD Opteron 6366 HE, albeit by narrow margins. Across all six Cinebench tests, the Intel part maintains a lead that never exceeds 2.9 percent, making this one of the closest rivalries in the database. The most substantial advantage appears in the single-core Cinebench R15 test, where the i7-3740QM scores 69 against the Opteron's 67, a 2.9 percent delta. This pattern repeats in the newer Cinebench R23 single-core test, with the Intel chip posting 686 versus 673, a 1.9 percent edge.

Multi-threaded results tell a similar story of Intel dominance, though the margins shrink slightly. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-3740QM scores 489 versus the Opteron's 480, a 1.8 percent difference. The same 1.8 percent delta appears in both Cinebench R20 multi-core (2040 vs 2003) and Cinebench R23 multi-core (4859 vs 4771). Single-core R20 shows a 2.1 percent gap, with the Intel part scoring 288 against AMD's 282. The consistency is striking — no matter the workload or the Cinebench version, the i7-3740QM holds a small but unbroken advantage.

The overall average benchmark scores reflect this near-tie. The Opteron 6366 HE carries an average benchmark score of 1379, while the i7-3740QM sits at 1378 — a difference of just 0.1 percent in the Opteron's favor based on the deltaPct values in the rival data. Both processors occupy the 36th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The nearestRivals lists for each chip include the other as a direct competitor, with deltas of -0.1 percent and 0.1 percent respectively, confirming that these two processors are effectively performance twins despite their radically different designs.

Architecture Differences

The architectural chasm between these two processors explains why their benchmark parity is so remarkable. The AMD Opteron 6366 HE is a 16-core, 16-thread server processor built on GlobalFoundries' 32 nm process, using the Piledriver architecture under the Abu Dhabi codename. It packs 2,400 million transistors across a dual-die design measuring 2x 315 mm². Its cache hierarchy is generous: 768 KB of L1, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 8 MB of L3 per die. The chip runs at a modest 1.80 GHz base clock with a 3.10 GHz boost, drawing 85 watts of power. Memory support includes quad-channel DDR3 with a theoretical bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s, plus ECC support — a hallmark of server-grade silicon. It uses AMD Socket G34 and PCIe Gen 2.

The Intel Core i7-3740QM is a fundamentally different animal. It is a mobile processor with 4 cores and 8 threads, built on Intel's 22 nm process using the Ivy Bridge architecture. Intel's transistor count is 1,400 million on a single 160 mm² die. The cache layout differs sharply: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. Clock speeds are substantially higher — 2.70 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost — while TDP is dramatically lower at 45 watts. The i7-3740QM uses dual-channel memory (the FACT PACK lists no bandwidth figure for it) and lacks ECC support. It integrates Intel HD 4000 graphics, a feature completely absent from the Opteron. The Intel chip uses BGA 1224, a soldered mobile socket.

These differences explain the performance parity in opposite ways. The Opteron compensates for its low 1.80 GHz base clock with 16 physical cores and massive cache capacity, while the i7-3740QM relies on higher clocks and Intel's architectural efficiency per core. The 22 nm process gives Intel a density and power advantage, but the Opteron's 85-watt TDP is still remarkably low for a 16-core server part — that "HE" suffix in its name indicates a high-efficiency variant. The i7's 45-watt TDP makes it suitable for laptops, whereas the Opteron targets rack servers. Both launched in 2012 within two months of each other, with the Opteron arriving November 4 and the i7-3740QM on September 2.

The Verdict

The data points to an unambiguous conclusion for most use cases: the Intel Core i7-3740QM is the better processor. It wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons and does so while consuming 40 watts less power (45 TDP versus 85 TDP). The performance advantage is small — never more than 2.9 percent — but it is consistent across every Cinebench version and both single- and multi-threaded workloads. For anyone choosing strictly on benchmark results, the i7-3740QM is the logical pick.

However, the Opteron 6366 HE retains a clear rationale for specific server environments. Its quad-channel DDR3 memory with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support make it suitable for memory-intensive, reliability-critical workloads. The 16 physical cores provide raw thread capacity that the 8-thread i7 cannot match in scenarios that scale well beyond the tested Cinebench workloads. The Opteron's 85-watt TDP for a 16-core part is noteworthy, but the i7-3740QM's 45-watt TDP is in a different power class entirely.

The average benchmark scores are statistically identical — 1379 for AMD versus 1378 for Intel — and both sit at the 36th percentile. The nearestRivals data shows the Opteron trading blows with Ryzen 3 PRO parts and the i7-3740QM, with deltas of 0 percent and 0.1 percent. This is a genuine tie in overall compute capability as measured by the database. The Intel chip wins because it achieves that parity with half the cores, a quarter of the core count advantage, and nearly half the power draw. The Opteron wins only if the specific platform features — ECC, quad-channel memory, socket G34 server infrastructure — are non-negotiable requirements.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Opteron 6366 HE has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i7-3740QM has 4 cores and 8 threads. This is a 4x core advantage for AMD.

Q: How do their clock speeds compare?

A: The Opteron 6366 HE runs at a 1.80 GHz base clock with a 3.10 GHz boost, while the i7-3740QM runs at 2.70 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. The Intel chip has a 0.90 GHz higher base clock and a 0.60 GHz higher boost clock.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The Opteron 6366 HE has a TDP of 85 watts, while the i7-3740QM has a TDP of 45 watts. The Intel processor draws 40 watts less under load.

Q: Did either chip win any head-to-head benchmark?

A: No. The Intel Core i7-3740QM won all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, with deltas ranging from -1.8 percent to -2.9 percent in Intel's favor.

Q: What memory features does each processor support?

A: The Opteron 6366 HE supports quad-channel DDR3 with ECC and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The i7-3740QM supports dual-channel memory with no ECC, and the FACT PACK lists no bandwidth figure for it.

Q: Do these processors include integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i7-3740QM includes Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics. The AMD Opteron 6366 HE has no integrated graphics.

Where Each One Wins

Server/Workstation deployments: The AMD Opteron 6366 HE is the only choice for environments requiring ECC memory, quad-channel bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s, or AMD Socket G34 infrastructure. Its 16 physical cores provide maximum thread count for heavily parallel server workloads. The 85-watt TDP is low for this class, making it a high-efficiency option for dense server configurations.

Mobile and power-constrained systems: The Intel Core i7-3740QM wins decisively on power efficiency with its 45-watt TDP. The BGA 1224 socket and integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics make it a complete mobile package. The 2.70 GHz base clock provides responsive single-threaded performance without needing to boost.

Single-threaded responsiveness: The i7-3740QM wins every single-core benchmark in the head-to-head set. Its 3.70 GHz boost clock gives it a 0.60 GHz advantage over the Opteron's 3.10 GHz boost. The single-core deltas range from -1.9 percent to -2.9 percent in Intel's favor.

Multi-threaded throughput: The Opteron 6366 HE has the theoretical advantage with 16 cores versus 4 cores, but the i7-3740QM still wins the multi-core Cinebench tests by 1.8 percent. The Opteron's advantage would likely appear in workloads that scale beyond Cinebench's thread utilization, but the tested data shows Intel ahead here too.

Legacy system compatibility: Both processors launched in 2012, but they target completely different platforms. The Opteron uses AMD Socket G34 and PCIe Gen 2, while the i7-3740QM uses Intel BGA 1224 with no PCIe specification listed in the data. The choice depends entirely on existing motherboard infrastructure.

Thermal-constrained environments: The i7-3740QM's 45-watt TDP is nearly half the Opteron's 85-watt rating. In compact chassis or fanless designs, that power advantage may be decisive despite the similar benchmark scores. The Opteron's 85 watts still represents efficient operation for a 16-core server chip, but it requires more substantial cooling.