CPU Comparison

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Opteron 6378 wins every single head-to-head test in this comparison, taking all six available benchmark matchups. The Intel Core i3-7350K, despite being a much newer part with a far higher clock speed, trails in every measured category, with deficits ranging from 17.1% to 18.3% depending on the workload. This is a decisive sweep that leaves no room for interpretation regarding raw performance, even if the two processors target entirely different market segments.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Opteron 6378’s dominance starts with Cinebench R15 multicore, where it scores 504 against the i3-7350K’s 417, a 17.3% advantage. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern: 71 for AMD versus 58 for Intel, a difference of 18.3% – the largest margin in the entire comparison. Moving to Cinebench R20, the Opteron’s multicore score of 2102 beats the i3’s 1740 by 17.2%, while the single-core R20 result shows 296 versus 245, again a 17.2% gap.

The trend continues in the newest renderer, Cinebench R23. The Opteron 6378 posts a multicore score of 5005, which is 17.2% higher than the i3-7350K’s 4144. In R23 single-core, the AMD part scores 706 versus Intel’s 585, a 17.1% difference. Notably, the deltas are remarkably consistent across all six benchmarks, clustering tightly between 17.1% and 18.3%. This consistency suggests the performance gap is structural rather than workload-specific – it reflects a fundamental throughput difference that manifests uniformly across rendering tasks.

The average benchmark scores tell a similar story, though with a smaller margin. The i3-7350K averages 1462 across its benchmark suite, while the Opteron averages 1447. That puts the Intel part 0.1% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE (1461) and 0.2% behind the Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 (1465). The Opteron’s 1447 average sits 0.1% behind the Intel Core i5-7300HQ (1448) and 0.1% ahead of the Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 (1446). Both CPUs land at the 38th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are statistically peers in aggregate performance despite the Opteron’s clean sweep in the direct head-to-head tests.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 6378 wins everywhere in this matchup. There are no benchmark categories where the Intel Core i3-7350K comes out ahead – winsA is 0 and winsB is 6. The Opteron’s edge spans both multicore and single-core workloads, which is notable because single-core performance is typically where Intel parts of this era excel. Yet here, the older AMD server chip outperforms the Kaby Lake desktop part in every single-core test as well.

This means the Opteron 6378 is the better choice for any rendering workload represented by Cinebench R15, R20, or R23, regardless of whether the task scales across cores or relies on a single thread. The i3-7350K, with its 2 cores and 4 threads, cannot match the 16-core Opteron in multicore throughput, and its higher 4.20 GHz base clock is insufficient to overcome the Opteron’s architectural advantages in single-threaded tests. For users running Cinebench-style workloads, the Opteron is the clear performer.

The i3-7350K does not win any benchmark, but its average score of 1462 slightly edges the Opteron’s 1447 in aggregate. That 15-point difference (about 1%) comes from the Geekbench results, which are only available for the Intel part – the Opteron has no Geekbench scores in the data. The i3 scores 3018 in Geekbench multicore and 1488 in single-core, figures that have no direct counterpart for the AMD chip.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Core i3-7350K is built on a 14 nm process at Intel’s foundry, using the Kaby Lake architecture with a codename of Kaby Lake. It features 2 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 4.20 GHz and no boost clock listed. The AMD Opteron 6378 uses a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries, employing the Piledriver architecture with the codename Abu Dhabi. It packs 16 cores and 16 threads, running at a 2.40 GHz base clock with a 3.30 GHz boost clock.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The i3-7350K has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Opteron 6378 has 768 KB of L1 total, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 8 MB of L3 per die. The Opteron also lists 2,400 million transistors and a die size of 2x 315 mm², details absent for the Intel part.

Memory support splits along generational lines. The i3-7350K uses DDR4 with a dual-channel memory bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the Opteron uses DDR3 with a quad-channel bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Opteron supports ECC memory; the i3 does not. PCIe generations differ as well: the Intel part offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Opteron provides Gen 2 without a lane count specified. The i3-7350K includes integrated Intel HD 630 graphics; the Opteron has none.

The release dates reinforce the generational gap. The i3-7350K launched on 2017-01-02, while the Opteron 6378 launched on 2012-11-04 – over four years earlier. The Opteron is marked as end-of-life, while the i3 remains active in production. The Opteron also carries a launch MSRP of $867, though the i3 has no listed launch price.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores?

A: The AMD Opteron 6378 has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i3-7350K has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the clock speed difference?

A: The i3-7350K has a base clock of 4.20 GHz with no boost clock listed. The Opteron 6378 has a 2.40 GHz base clock and a 3.30 GHz boost clock.

Q: Which CPU is faster in single-core performance?

A: The Opteron 6378 wins all three single-core Cinebench tests: R15 (71 vs 58), R20 (296 vs 245), and R23 (706 vs 585), with margins between 17.1% and 18.3%.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: No. The Opteron 6378 supports ECC memory, while the i3-7350K does not.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth for each?

A: The i3-7350K has 38.4 GB/s over a dual-channel DDR4 bus. The Opteron 6378 has 59.7 GB/s over a quad-channel DDR3 bus.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: The i3-7350K includes Intel HD 630 graphics. The Opteron 6378 has no integrated graphics.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-7350K | AMD Opteron 6378 |

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

| Cores | 2 | 16 |

| Threads | 4 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 4.20 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | None | 3.30 GHz |

| TDP | 60 W | 115 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket G34 |

| Architecture | Kaby Lake | Piledriver |

| Codename | Kaby Lake | Abu Dhabi |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 32 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | Not listed | 2,400 million |

| Die Size | Not listed | 2x 315 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 768 KB |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 2 MB (per module) |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 8 MB (per die) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 59.7 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 2 |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 630 | None |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2017-01-02 | 2012-11-04 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SR35B | OS6378WKTGGHK |

The Verdict

The data directs a straightforward choice for rendering workloads: the AMD Opteron 6378 wins every benchmark in this comparison. Its 16 cores deliver consistent 17%+ advantages over the i3-7350K across all six Cinebench tests, covering both multicore and single-core scenarios. The Opteron’s 59.7 GB/s memory bandwidth and ECC support further position it for server and workstation tasks, where those features matter. Its end-of-life status and $867 launch MSRP are worth noting, but performance-wise it dominates this matchup.

The Intel Core i3-7350K does have compensating strengths. Its 14 nm process, 60 W TDP, unlocked multiplier, and integrated HD 630 graphics make it a more modern, efficient desktop part. Its average benchmark score of 1462 slightly exceeds the Opteron’s 1447, and its Geekbench results (3018 multicore, 1488 single-core) show strong performance in tests the Opteron lacks. For desktop users prioritizing low power consumption, overclocking capability, or integrated graphics, the i3-7350K is the sensible pick despite losing every direct comparison.

For anyone whose workload resembles Cinebench rendering, the Opteron 6378 is the clear winner. Its 16 threads and quad-channel memory architecture provide a decisive performance edge that the i3-7350K cannot overcome, regardless of clock speed or architectural recency. The 38th percentile ranking for both CPUs indicates they are average performers overall, but within this specific head-to-head, the Opteron stands as the superior processor. Choose the Opteron for raw throughput; choose the i3-7350K for a modern, low-power desktop experience with integrated graphics.