AMD Opteron 6378 vs Intel Core i7-3840QM Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a remarkably close contest between two processors from very different design philosophies. The AMD Opteron 6378 wins all six recorded head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, but every victory is narrow, with deltas ranging from 1.0% to 1.4%. The Intel Core i7-3840QM does not win a single recorded benchmark, yet its overall average benchmark score of 1416 sits only 2.1% behind the Opteron's 1447. The Opteron also holds a slight percentile advantage, ranking in the 38th percentile of all CPUs versus the Intel's 37th percentile.

For server and workstation workloads that can exploit 16 physical threads, the Opteron 6378 is the data-backed choice, as it leads in every multi-core Cinebench test. For mobile users, the Core i7-3840QM offers the same class of rendering performance in a 45 W package, which is dramatically lower than the Opteron's 115 W, and it includes integrated graphics. The data does not support a decisive overall winner; it supports a split decision based on platform needs. The Opteron is for rack-mounted, multi-socket environments where raw thread count matters, while the Core i7 is for a laptop or compact system where power efficiency and integrated graphics are essential.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different architectural approaches. The Opteron 6378 uses AMD's Piledriver architecture, codenamed Abu Dhabi, built on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It integrates 2,400 million transistors across a dual-die design with a combined die size of 2x 315 mm². The Core i7-3840QM uses Intel's Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process, with 1,400 million transistors on a single 160 mm² die.

The core configurations diverge sharply. The Opteron has 16 cores and 16 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading. The Core i7 has 4 cores and 8 threads, using Intel's Hyper-Threading to double the thread count. Cache layouts reflect the different topologies: the Opteron has 768 KB of L1 cache, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 8 MB of L3 per die. The Core i7 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3.

Memory architecture also differs. The Opteron supports DDR3 over a quad-channel interface with a documented memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s, and it supports ECC memory. The Core i7 also supports DDR3 but uses a dual-channel interface, has no recorded memory bandwidth figure in the database, and does not support ECC. The Opteron uses AMD Socket G34 and PCIe Gen 2, while the Core i7 uses Intel BGA 1224, with no PCIe generation listed. The Core i7 includes Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics; the Opteron has none. The Opteron belongs to the server/workstation segment, while the Core i7 is a mobile part. The Opteron's launch MSRP was $867; no launch MSRP is recorded for the Core i7.

Where Each One Wins

The Opteron 6378 wins every recorded multi-core Cinebench test, which makes it the stronger choice for threaded rendering workloads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 504 against 498, a 1.2% lead. In R20 multi-core, it scores 2102 against 2079, a 1.1% lead. In R23 multi-core, it scores 5005 against 4952, also a 1.1% lead. The pattern is consistent: the Opteron's 16 physical cores provide a small but repeatable advantage in multi-threaded rendering.

The Opteron also wins every single-core test, but the margins are even thinner. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 71 versus 70, a 1.4% lead. In R20 single-core, it scores 296 versus 293, a 1% lead. In R23 single-core, it scores 706 versus 699, a 1% lead. This is notable because the Core i7 has a higher base clock (2.80 GHz versus 2.40 GHz) and a higher boost clock (3.80 GHz versus 3.30 GHz), yet the Opteron still edges ahead in single-threaded Cinebench runs.

The Core i7's wins are not in the head-to-head Cinebench suite, but it has an additional Geekbench result that the Opteron lacks: a multi-core score of 2111 and a single-core score of 628. These are not directly comparable to any Opteron Geekbench score, so they do not affect the head-to-head tally. The Core i7's advantage lies in its platform characteristics: a 45 W TDP versus 115 W, integrated graphics, and a mobile socket. For any use case that prioritizes power draw, portability, or display output without a discrete GPU, the Core i7 is the only viable option in this comparison.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Opteron 6378 has 16 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core i7-3840QM has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Opteron 6378 scores 5005 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 1.1% ahead of the Intel Core i7-3840QM's 4952.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-3840QM support ECC memory?

A: No. The database records ECC memory support as false for the Core i7-3840QM. The AMD Opteron 6378 supports ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i7-3840QM includes Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics. The AMD Opteron 6378 has no integrated graphics listed.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for these two processors?

A: The AMD Opteron 6378 has a TDP of 115 W. The Intel Core i7-3840QM has a TDP of 45 W.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The AMD Opteron 6378 has an average benchmark score of 1447. The Intel Core i7-3840QM has an average benchmark score of 1416.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data covers six Cinebench tests, and the AMD Opteron 6378 wins all six. The largest margin is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Opteron scores 71 against the Core i7's 70, a 1.4% delta. The smallest margin is in Cinebench R20 single-core and R23 single-core, both at 1.0% deltas (296 versus 293, and 706 versus 699, respectively).

In multi-core tests, the Opteron's lead is consistent but modest. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 504 versus 498, a 1.2% delta. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 2102 versus 2079, a 1.1% delta. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 5005 versus 4952, also a 1.1% delta. The Opteron's 16 cores deliver a measurable advantage over the Core i7's 8 threads, but the per-core performance of the Ivy Bridge architecture keeps the gap small.

The single-core results are more surprising. The Core i7 has a 400 MHz higher base clock and a 500 MHz higher boost clock, yet it loses every single-core Cinebench test. The Opteron's Piledriver architecture, despite lower clock speeds, manages to edge ahead by 1.0% to 1.4%. This suggests that the Cinebench single-core workload does not scale purely with clock speed, and the Opteron's module design provides some efficiency that offsets the clock disadvantage.

The overall wins tally is 6 for the Opteron and 0 for the Core i7. The average benchmark scores reflect this, with the Opteron at 1447 and the Core i7 at 1416, a 2.2% gap. The nearest rivals in the database further contextualize these scores. The Opteron's closest competitor is the Intel Core i5-7300HQ at 1448, a 0.1% difference, meaning the Opteron effectively ties with that chip. The Core i7's closest rival is the Intel Core i7-2700K at 1419, a 0.2% difference, and it also ties with the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U and AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314, both at 1415.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The Opteron 6378 has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the Core i7-3840QM has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks differ: the Opteron runs at 2.40 GHz, the Core i7 at 2.80 GHz. Boost clocks also differ: 3.30 GHz for the Opteron, 3.80 GHz for the Core i7.

TDP is a major differentiator. The Opteron draws 115 W, while the Core i7 draws 45 W. The sockets are incompatible: AMD Socket G34 for the Opteron, Intel BGA 1224 for the Core i7. The architectures are different generations: Piledriver (Abu Dhabi) versus Ivy Bridge. Process nodes differ: 32 nm for the Opteron, 22 nm for the Core i7. Transistor counts and die sizes are also distinct: 2,400 million transistors across 2x 315 mm² for the Opteron, 1,400 million transistors on 160 mm² for the Core i7.

Cache hierarchies are not directly comparable. The Opteron has 768 KB L1, 2 MB L2 per module, and 8 MB L3 per die. The Core i7 has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. Memory support shows both use DDR3, but the Opteron has a quad-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the Core i7 has a dual-channel bus with no bandwidth figure recorded. ECC memory is supported on the Opteron only. The Opteron uses PCIe Gen 2; no PCIe generation is listed for the Core i7.

Integrated graphics are exclusive to the Core i7, which has Intel HD 4000. The Opteron has none. The Opteron is a server/workstation part with an end-of-life production status, while the Core i7's production status is not recorded. The Opteron has a recorded launch MSRP of $867; the Core i7 has no launch MSRP. The Opteron's part number is OS6378WKTGGHK, and the Core i7's is SR0UU. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.