AMD Opteron 6380 vs Intel Core i7-6700TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a consistent pattern: the AMD Opteron 6380 wins every recorded head-to-head comparison against the Intel Core i7-6700TE, though the margins are narrow. Across six Cinebench tests, the Opteron’s advantage ranges from 7.1% to 7.5%. The Intel part does not secure a single win in the database’s head-to-head set.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Opteron scores 572 versus the i7-6700TE’s 531, a delta of -7.2% from the Intel part’s perspective. The single-core result is slightly closer in percentage terms: the Opteron posts 80 against 74, a 7.5% gap. Both chips share the same 3.40 GHz boost clock, but the Opteron’s higher 2.50 GHz base clock likely contributes to its lead in lightly threaded workloads.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the Opteron again leads by 7.2% in multicore (2386 versus 2214) and by 7.1% in single-core (336 versus 312). The R23 results mirror this: multicore shows 5683 versus 5273, a 7.2% gap, and single-core shows 802 versus 744, also 7.2%. The consistency of these deltas across all three Cinebench versions suggests the performance relationship between these two processors is stable regardless of workload generation or scoring methodology.

The average benchmark scores in the database place the i7-6700TE at 1666 and the Opteron 6380 at 1643. This is counterintuitive given the Opteron’s head-to-head wins, but the average includes Geekbench results for the Intel part, which the Opteron lacks in this dataset. The i7-6700TE’s Geekbench multicore score is 3154 and single-core is 1028. Those Geekbench numbers pull the Intel chip’s average upward, even though the Opteron dominates the Cinebench comparisons.

Both processors sit at the 40th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The i7-6700TE’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-7600T (average score 1664, delta 0.1%), the Core i7-4770HQ (1660, delta 0.4%), the Xeon E-2124 (1658, delta 0.5%), and the Core i5-4670K (1656, delta 0.6%). The Opteron 6380’s nearest rivals are the Core i7-5700HQ (1645, delta -0.1%), the Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G (1640, delta 0.2%), the Core i5-5675R (1648, delta -0.3%), and the Core i7-4810MQ (1651, delta -0.5%). These rival comparisons show both chips clustering tightly with other mid-range processors, with no rival more than 0.6% away from either part.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is substantial. The Intel Core i7-6700TE uses the Skylake architecture on a 14 nm process, fabricated by Intel. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, enabling simultaneous multithreading. The AMD Opteron 6380 uses the Piledriver architecture on a 32 nm process, fabricated by GlobalFoundries, with 16 cores and 16 threads. The Opteron’s process node is two generations behind Intel’s, and its transistor count of 2,400 million across two 315 mm² dies reflects the older, less dense manufacturing technology.

Cache layouts differ markedly. The i7-6700TE has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The Opteron 6380 has 768 KB of L1 total, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 8 MB of L3 per die. Because the Opteron has two dies, its total L3 reaches 16 MB across the package, though the database lists the per-die figure. The Intel chip’s per-core L2 design gives each of its four cores dedicated 256 KB, while the Opteron’s modular layout shares L2 between pairs of cores within each module.

Memory support diverges as well. The i7-6700TE supports DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with 34.1 GB/s of bandwidth. The Opteron 6380 supports DDR3 on a quad-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth. Despite the older memory standard, the Opteron’s wider memory bus delivers substantially more theoretical bandwidth. The Intel part does not support ECC memory, while the Opteron does, reflecting their different market positions: the i7-6700TE is a desktop processor, and the Opteron is a server or workstation part.

PCIe capabilities also differ. The i7-6700TE has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Opteron 6380 has PCIe Gen 2 with no lane count specified in the database. The Intel chip includes integrated graphics, the HD Graphics 530, while the Opteron has no integrated graphics at all. The i7-6700TE uses the Intel Socket 1151, while the Opteron uses the AMD Socket G34.

The release dates are separated by nearly three years. The i7-6700TE launched on 2015-08-31, and the Opteron 6380 launched on 2012-11-04. The Opteron is marked as end-of-life, while the i7-6700TE remains active in production status. The Opteron’s launch MSRP was $1088, a figure the database records once; the i7-6700TE has no launch MSRP listed.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear choice depending on workload priorities. For multi-threaded server or workstation tasks, the Opteron 6380 holds a consistent edge. Its 16 physical cores, while older per-core in performance, deliver 7.2% higher Cinebench R23 multicore scores than the i7-6700TE. The Opteron also offers ECC memory support, quad-channel DDR3 bandwidth, and a 59.7 GB/s memory bus, all of which suit server environments. Its end-of-life status is a caveat, but the benchmark results remain competitive with the newer Intel part.

For desktop users who need integrated graphics, lower power consumption, or a modern socket, the i7-6700TE is the more practical choice. Its 35 W TDP is dramatically lower than the Opteron’s 115 W, its 14 nm process is more efficient, and its HD Graphics 530 eliminates the need for a discrete GPU. The i7-6700TE also has a higher average benchmark score (1666 versus 1643) due to its Geekbench results, which are not recorded for the Opteron.

The single-core picture is nuanced. The Opteron wins all single-core Cinebench tests by 7.1% to 7.5%, which is unexpected for a server processor with a modular architecture. The Opteron’s higher base clock (2.50 GHz versus 2.40 GHz) and equal boost clock (3.40 GHz) likely explain this. However, the i7-6700TE’s Geekbench single-core score of 1028 indicates strong performance in that benchmark, which is not part of the Opteron’s recorded test set.

The 40th percentile ranking for both chips means each sits in the lower-middle range of all CPUs in the database. Neither is a high-end part by contemporary standards. The choice between them should be driven by platform requirements: the Opteron for ECC memory, 16 cores, and server duty; the i7-6700TE for desktop integration, lower power, and a modern feature set.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification field. The i7-6700TE has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Opteron 6380 has 16 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 2.40 GHz for the Intel part and 2.50 GHz for the AMD part, with identical 3.40 GHz boost clocks. TDP is 35 W versus 115 W. The sockets are Intel Socket 1151 and AMD Socket G34. Process nodes are 14 nm (Intel) and 32 nm (GlobalFoundries). The Opteron lists 2,400 million transistors and two 315 mm² dies; the Intel part has no transistor or die size data.

Cache configurations differ: the i7-6700TE has 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core, while the Opteron has 768 KB L1 total and 2 MB L2 per module. Both have 8 MB L3, but the Opteron’s is per die, giving it 16 MB total across two dies. Memory support is DDR4 dual-channel for Intel versus DDR3 quad-channel for AMD, with bandwidths of 34.1 GB/s and 59.7 GB/s respectively. ECC memory is unsupported on the Intel part and supported on the AMD part. PCIe is Gen 3 with 16 lanes for Intel versus Gen 2 for AMD. Integrated graphics exist only on the Intel chip (HD Graphics 530). The market segments are Desktop for Intel and Server/Workstation for AMD. Production status is Active for Intel and End-of-life for AMD. Release dates are 2015-08-31 for Intel and 2012-11-04 for AMD. The launch MSRP for the Opteron is $1088; the i7-6700TE has no listed launch MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD Opteron 6380 wins all six recorded head-to-head tests, with deltas ranging from 7.1% to 7.5% over the Intel Core i7-6700TE across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multicore modes.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i7-6700TE has an average benchmark score of 1666, while the AMD Opteron 6380 has an average of 1643. The Intel part’s higher average is influenced by its Geekbench scores (3154 multicore, 1028 single-core), which are not recorded for the Opteron.

Q: What memory technologies do these processors support?

A: The Intel Core i7-6700TE supports DDR4 on a dual-channel bus with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth and does not support ECC memory. The AMD Opteron 6380 supports DDR3 on a quad-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth and supports ECC memory.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The Intel Core i7-6700TE includes HD Graphics 530. The AMD Opteron 6380 has no integrated graphics, which is consistent with its server/workstation market segment.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core i7-6700TE has 4 cores and 8 threads. The AMD Opteron 6380 has 16 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The Intel Core i7-6700TE is marked as active in production. The AMD Opteron 6380 is marked as end-of-life. The Opteron’s launch MSRP is $1088; the i7-6700TE has no listed launch MSRP.