AMD Opteron 6380 vs Intel Core i7-5700HQ Comparison

The Intel Core i7-5700HQ and the AMD Opteron 6380 are both end-of-life processors that land in the 40th percentile of all CPUs, with average benchmark scores of 1645 and 1643, respectively. Despite their nearly identical overall averages, the data reveals a clear split in architecture and use case, with the Opteron 6380 taking a decisive 6-0 win in the head-to-head Cinebench tests, while the i7-5700HQ counters with integrated graphics, lower power draw, and newer process technology. This comparison pits a mobile-class Intel quad-core against a server-class AMD 16-core, and the benchmark results show that the Opteron’s raw core count wins in rendering workloads, but the i7’s efficiency and feature set make it the more balanced choice for desktop tasks.

The Verdict

Based strictly on benchmark data, the AMD Opteron 6380 is the faster processor. It wins every single head-to-head Cinebench test, from the R15 multicore (572 vs. 519) to the R23 singlecore (802 vs. 727), with a consistent deltaPct of roughly -9.3% in favor of the Opteron. For users prioritizing raw multi-threaded rendering performance, the Opteron 6380 is the clear pick, as its 16 cores and 16 threads deliver a 53-point lead in Cinebench R15 multicore and a 529-point lead in R23 multicore.

However, the Intel Core i7-5700HQ is the better choice for a different set of priorities. It draws only 47W TDP compared to the Opteron’s 115W, supports DDR3 memory with dual-channel bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s (vs. the Opteron’s 59.7 GB/s quad-channel), and includes integrated Intel HD 5600 graphics, which the Opteron lacks entirely. The i7-5700HQ also uses a 14 nm process node versus the Opteron’s 32 nm, and its launch MSRP of $378 is lower than the Opteron’s $1088. For a desktop system where power efficiency, integrated graphics, and lower upfront cost matter more than raw Cinebench scores, the i7-5700HQ is the more practical pick, despite losing every benchmark comparison.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from opposite ends of the hardware spectrum. The Intel Core i7-5700HQ is built on the Broadwell-H architecture, codename Broadwell-H, using a 14 nm process node fabricated by Intel. It features 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 3.50 GHz. Its cache layout includes 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The die size is 182 mm², and it uses the Intel BGA 1364 socket with PCIe Gen 3 (16 lanes CPU only). Memory support is DDR3 over a dual-channel bus with 29.9 GB/s bandwidth, and it does not support ECC memory. The integrated graphics are Intel HD 5600, and the part number is SR2BP.

The AMD Opteron 6380, in contrast, is based on the Piledriver architecture, codename Abu Dhabi, using a 32 nm process node from GlobalFoundries. It packs 16 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. Its cache is organized differently: 768 KB L1, 2 MB L2 per module, and 8 MB L3 per die. The die size is listed as 2x 315 mm², with 2,400 million transistors. It uses the AMD Socket G34 and PCIe Gen 2. Memory support is DDR3 over a quad-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth, and it does support ECC memory. There is no integrated graphics, and the part number is OS6380WKTGGHK.

The process node difference is significant: 14 nm on the Intel side versus 32 nm on the AMD side. This explains why the i7-5700HQ can achieve a 2.70 GHz base clock at just 47W TDP, while the Opteron 6380 needs 115W for a lower 2.50 GHz base clock. The Opteron compensates with 4x the core count and double the L3 cache per die, but its older architecture and larger process node make it less efficient per watt. The i7-5700HQ is also a desktop-market chip, while the Opteron is explicitly a server/workstation part, which explains the ECC support and quad-channel memory on the AMD side.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 6380 wins in every multi-core and single-core Cinebench test. In Cinebench R15, it scores 572 multicore and 80 singlecore, versus the i7-5700HQ’s 519 and 73. In R20, the Opteron leads 2386 to 2164 multicore and 336 to 305 singlecore. In R23, the gap widens further: 5683 to 5154 multicore and 802 to 727 singlecore. The consistency of these wins — all between 8.7% and 9.4% — indicates that the Opteron 6380 has a uniform performance advantage across all Cinebench workloads, likely due to its 16 physical cores versus the i7’s 4 cores with Hyper-Threading.

The Intel Core i7-5700HQ wins in areas not covered by Cinebench. Its 47W TDP is less than half the Opteron’s 115W, making it the clear choice for power-constrained builds. It has integrated Intel HD 5600 graphics, which the Opteron 6380 lacks entirely, so any system without a discrete GPU can only run with the i7. The i7 also supports PCIe Gen 3, which is newer than the Opteron’s PCIe Gen 2, and its 14 nm process node suggests better thermal and power characteristics per transistor. The i7’s dual-channel memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s is lower than the Opteron’s 59.7 GB/s, but the i7’s lower TDP and smaller die size (182 mm² vs. 2x 315 mm²) make it more suitable for compact or mobile-style desktop builds.

In terms of benchmark percentiles, both CPUs sit at the 40th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are roughly equivalent in overall standing despite the Opteron’s Cinebench dominance. The nearest rivals for the i7-5700HQ include the AMD Opteron 6380 itself (deltaPct 0.1), the Intel Core i5-5675R (deltaPct -0.2), the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G (deltaPct 0.3), and the Intel Core i7-4810MQ (deltaPct -0.4). The Opteron 6380’s nearest rivals are the same set, with the i7-5700HQ at deltaPct -0.1, confirming that these two chips are statistically tied in average benchmark score despite their architectural differences.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-5700HQ has an average benchmark score of 1645, while the AMD Opteron 6380 has 1643. The difference is 0.1%, which is negligible and puts them in the same 40th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Does the Opteron 6380 win in every Cinebench test?

A: Yes. The head-to-head data shows the Opteron 6380 winning all 6 tests, including Cinebench R15 multicore (572 vs. 519), R15 singlecore (80 vs. 73), R20 multicore (2386 vs. 2164), R20 singlecore (336 vs. 305), R23 multicore (5683 vs. 5154), and R23 singlecore (802 vs. 727).

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The Intel Core i7-5700HQ has a TDP of 47W, while the AMD Opteron 6380 has a TDP of 115W. This means the i7 consumes less than half the power of the Opteron under load.

Q: Does either CPU support ECC memory?

A: The AMD Opteron 6380 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-5700HQ does not. This makes the Opteron more suitable for server/workstation environments requiring error correction.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i7-5700HQ includes Intel HD 5600 integrated graphics. The AMD Opteron 6380 has no integrated graphics, so it requires a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: How do their memory bandwidths compare?

A: The AMD Opteron 6380 offers 59.7 GB/s of memory bandwidth over a quad-channel DDR3 bus. The Intel Core i7-5700HQ offers 29.9 GB/s over a dual-channel DDR3 bus, which is roughly half the Opteron’s bandwidth.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data paints a one-sided picture, with the AMD Opteron 6380 winning all six Cinebench tests. The smallest margin is in Cinebench R15 singlecore, where the Opteron scores 80 against the i7-5700HQ’s 73, a deltaPct of -8.7%. The largest margin is in Cinebench R23 singlecore, with the Opteron at 802 and the i7 at 727, a deltaPct of -9.4%. The multicore tests show consistent deltas around -9.3%: R15 multicore (572 vs. 519), R20 multicore (2386 vs. 2164), and R23 multicore (5683 vs. 5154).

The consistency of these deltas is striking. Every Cinebench test — regardless of single-core or multi-core workload — shows the Opteron 6380 ahead by roughly 9%. This suggests that the Opteron’s advantage is not tied to its 16-core count alone but also to its higher single-core performance. In Cinebench R23 singlecore, the Opteron scores 802, which is 75 points higher than the i7-5700HQ’s 727. This is unusual because the i7 has a higher base clock (2.70 GHz vs. 2.50 GHz) and boost clock (3.50 GHz vs. 3.40 GHz), yet the Opteron still wins in single-threaded tests.

For users focused on Cinebench scores, the Opteron 6380 is the clear winner. However, the i7-5700HQ has its own strengths in the form of lower TDP (47W vs. 115W), integrated graphics (Intel HD 5600 vs. none), and a smaller footprint (182 mm² vs. 2x 315 mm²). The i7 also uses a more modern 14 nm process compared to the Opteron’s 32 nm, which likely contributes to its power efficiency. In terms of raw benchmark performance, though, the data is unambiguous: the Opteron 6380 wins every single test, and its average score of 1643 is nearly identical to the i7’s 1645, meaning the overall performance difference is negligible in the broader CPU landscape.