AMD Opteron 6378 vs Intel Core i7-3770S Comparison

The data shows a clear and consistent result: the Intel Core i7-3770S wins every recorded head-to-head benchmark against the AMD Opteron 6378, despite the Opteron having four times the physical cores. This outcome is driven by the Intel chip’s superior per-core efficiency and higher clock speeds, which more than compensate for the core count disparity in the tested workloads. The Opteron’s strengths lie elsewhere, particularly in memory bandwidth and server-specific features, but the benchmark suite used here does not capture those advantages.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Across six Cinebench tests, the Intel Core i7-3770S outperforms the AMD Opteron 6378 in every instance. The smallest margin is a 4.2% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Intel scores 74 against the Opteron’s 71. The largest advantage appears in Cinebench R20 single-core, with the Intel chip scoring 311 versus 296, a 5.1% difference. In multi-core tests, the Intel part also leads, scoring 529 to 504 in Cinebench R15 (a 5% delta) and 5251 to 5005 in Cinebench R23 (a 4.9% delta). The consistency of these results is notable: the Intel winner takes all six tests, and the deltas are tightly clustered between 4.2% and 5.1%, suggesting a uniform performance edge rather than a workload-specific anomaly.

The average benchmark scores reflect this trend. The Intel Core i7-3770S has an average score of 1498, while the AMD Opteron 6378 sits at 1447. Both processors land in the 38th percentile of all CPUs in the database, indicating they are statistically comparable in overall standing, but the Intel model holds a 3.5% edge in aggregate performance. When compared to their nearest rivals, the Intel chip is essentially tied with the Intel Core i3-8100T (delta of -0.1%) and slightly ahead of the Intel Core i5-4590S (0.4% delta). The Opteron, meanwhile, sits just below the Intel Core i5-7300HQ (delta of -0.1%) and is nearly matched with the Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 (0.1% delta). These rivalry positions confirm that the Opteron, despite its massive core count, performs in the same league as mid-range desktop and mobile chips from the same era.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-3770S uses the Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process node, manufactured by Intel itself. It packs 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The AMD Opteron 6378, in contrast, is a Piledriver-based chip (codename Abu Dhabi) on a 32 nm node, produced by GlobalFoundries. It has 16 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. The Intel chip’s higher clocks, especially the 0.60 GHz boost advantage, are critical to its benchmark wins.

Cache hierarchies also differ sharply. The Intel part has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with a shared 8 MB L3 cache. The AMD Opteron uses a module-based layout: 768 KB of total L1, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 8 MB of L3 per die. The Opteron’s transistor count is higher at 2,400 million versus Intel’s 1,400 million, and its die size is listed as 2x 315 mm² compared to Intel’s 160 mm². These figures reflect the Opteron’s dual-die design and larger physical footprint, but they do not translate into performance wins in the tested benchmarks.

The Intel chip includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 4000), while the Opteron has none. The Opteron counters with ECC memory support, which the Intel part lacks, and a quad-channel memory bus with a recorded bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s, versus Intel’s dual-channel DDR3 support. PCIe capabilities also differ: the Intel chip supports Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Opteron is limited to Gen 2. These architectural differences align with their intended markets: the Intel part is a desktop chip, the Opteron is a server/workstation processor.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-3770S is the faster processor in every measured workload. It wins all six Cinebench tests, with margins ranging from 4.2% to 5.1%. Its higher clock speeds and more efficient Ivy Bridge architecture allow it to outperform the Opteron despite having only 4 cores versus 16. For users running the types of workloads captured in this database (Cinebench multi-core and single-core rendering), the Intel chip is the clear choice.

However, the Opteron’s advantages are not shown in these benchmarks. It offers ECC memory support, a quad-channel memory bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth, and a server-grade socket (G34) with 16 physical cores. These features matter for memory-intensive server workloads, error-correcting memory requirements, or environments where raw core count is prioritized over per-core speed. The database only records Cinebench results for the Opteron, so its performance in other server tasks is not quantified here. The Intel chip also has a lower TDP (65 watts versus 115 watts), making it more power-efficient in the measured workloads, but the Opteron’s higher TDP is typical for a server part with more cores.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i7-3770S scores 5251, while the AMD Opteron 6378 scores 5005. The Intel chip leads by 4.9%.

Q: Does the AMD Opteron 6378 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Opteron 6378 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-3770S does not.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the AMD Opteron 6378?

A: The Opteron 6378 has a quad-channel memory bus with a recorded bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The Intel chip uses a dual-channel bus, but its bandwidth is not listed in the database.

Q: How do the two processors compare in average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-3770S has an average score of 1498, and the AMD Opteron 6378 has an average score of 1447. The Intel part is roughly 3.5% higher.

Q: What are the clock speeds of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-3770S has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The AMD Opteron 6378 has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz.

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The AMD Opteron 6378 has 16 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core i7-3770S has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-3770S wins every recorded benchmark, making it the superior choice for single-threaded and multi-threaded rendering tasks in this database. Its wins span Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, in both single-core and multi-core variants. The highest margin is 5.1% in Cinebench R20 single-core, and the lowest is 4.2% in Cinebench R15 single-core. The Intel chip’s higher boost clock (3.90 GHz versus 3.30 GHz) and smaller process node (22 nm versus 32 nm) are likely factors in its consistent lead.

The AMD Opteron 6378 wins no benchmarks in this dataset. Its strengths are qualitative and lie outside the measured tests: it has 16 cores, ECC memory support, a quad-channel memory bus, and a higher memory bandwidth (59.7 GB/s). These features are relevant for server workloads that require large memory throughput or error correction, but the database does not include benchmark results that would quantify such advantages. The Opteron also has a higher TDP (115 watts), indicating it is designed for sustained server operation rather than desktop efficiency.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification. The Intel Core i7-3770S has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Opteron 6378 has 16 cores and 16 threads. Clock speeds favor the Intel chip: 3.10 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost versus 2.40 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. TDP also favors Intel at 65 watts, compared to the Opteron’s 115 watts. The socket types are incompatible: Intel Socket 1155 versus AMD Socket G34.

The manufacturing process differs: Intel uses 22 nm, AMD uses 32 nm. Transistor counts are 1,400 million for Intel and 2,400 million for AMD. Die size is 160 mm² for Intel and 2x 315 mm² for AMD. Cache layouts are distinct: Intel has 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core, with 8 MB shared L3; AMD has 768 KB total L1, 2 MB L2 per module, and 8 MB L3 per die. Memory support shows AMD with a quad-channel bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel uses dual-channel DDR3 without a listed bandwidth. ECC memory is available only on the AMD part. PCIe generation differs: Intel supports Gen 3 with 16 lanes, AMD is Gen 2. Intel includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 4000), AMD does not. Release dates are close, with Intel launching on 2012-04-28 and AMD on 2012-11-04. The AMD part has a launch MSRP of $867, while the Intel part has no recorded launch MSRP. The Opteron is marked as end-of-life, while the Intel chip’s production status is not specified.