AMD Opteron 6386 SE vs Intel Core i7-8705G Comparison

The Intel Core i7-8705G and the AMD Opteron 6386 SE represent two very different approaches to computing, separated by over five years of architectural evolution and targeting entirely different market segments. The benchmark data shows a surprisingly consistent outcome: the AMD Opteron 6386 SE wins every single head-to-head comparison, though by a narrow margin of roughly 8% across all tested workloads. This consistency is remarkable given the architectural gulf between the two processors, and it sets the stage for a deeper examination of what these scores actually mean in practice.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are unambiguous, with the AMD Opteron 6386 SE claiming victory in all six benchmark comparisons. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Opteron scores 710 against the Core i7-8705G's 651, a delta of -8.3% from the Intel chip's perspective. The single-core R15 test tells a similar story: Opteron at 100 versus Intel at 91, a 9% gap. This pattern holds through every subsequent Cinebench iteration. In R20 multicore, the Opteron posts 2959 versus 2714, again an 8.3% difference. The R20 single-core test shows 417 against 383, an 8.2% delta. Moving to R23, the Opteron's 7047 multicore score tops the Intel's 6464 by 8.3%, while the single-core result of 994 versus 912 represents another 8.2% gap.

What is particularly striking is the uniformity of these results. Unlike many CPU comparisons where relative performance shifts dramatically depending on workload characteristics, here the margin stays pinned between 8.2% and 9% across all tests. This suggests the performance difference is fundamental and consistent, not workload-dependent. The Intel chip's Geekbench scores, which are not part of the head-to-head table, show 3968 multicore and 1277 single-core, but the Opteron has no Geekbench data for comparison. The average benchmark scores from the database place the Intel at 2058 and the Opteron at 2038, which actually puts the Intel slightly ahead in the aggregate metric despite losing every direct comparison — a quirk driven by different benchmark sets being averaged.

Where Each One Wins

Examining the data, the AMD Opteron 6386 SE wins in every benchmark category tested. However, the nature of those wins matters. The 16-core Opteron, despite having four times the physical cores of the Intel's 4-core/8-thread design, only manages an 8.3% lead in multicore workloads. This is a significant underperformance relative to core count, suggesting that the Opteron's Piledriver architecture, running at a lower 2.80 GHz base clock and 3.50 GHz boost, cannot effectively leverage its core advantage in these particular tests. The Intel chip, with its 3.10 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost, keeps multicore scores remarkably close despite massive core deficit.

In single-core tests, the Opteron's lead narrows slightly to between 8.2% and 9%, which is counterintuitive given that Intel's Kaby Lake architecture is generally considered far superior in single-threaded efficiency. The data shows the Opteron's single-core R23 score of 994 exceeds the Intel's 912, and the R20 single-core result of 417 versus 383 follows the same pattern. The Intel chip does appear more competitive in Geekbench, where its 1277 single-core score and 3968 multicore score represent the only benchmark data points not showing an Opteron victory, simply because no direct comparison exists for that test. For users prioritizing the specific Cinebench workloads measured here, the Opteron is the consistent, if modest, winner.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors could hardly be more pronounced. The Intel Core i7-8705G, built on a 14 nm process at Intel's foundry, uses the Kaby Lake architecture with a die size of 125 mm². It packs 4 cores and 8 threads, with a cache hierarchy of 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. The chip supports DDR4 memory through a dual-channel interface, delivering 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth. It includes Intel HD Graphics 630 integrated graphics, a feature entirely absent from the AMD part. The Opteron, in stark contrast, is a 32 nm part manufactured by GlobalFoundries using the Piledriver architecture codenamed Abu Dhabi. It fields 16 cores and 16 threads with no hyperthreading equivalent, built from 2,400 million transistors across two 315 mm² dies. Its cache configuration uses 768 KB L1, 2 MB L2 per module, and 8 MB L3 per die. Memory support is DDR3 via a quad-channel bus, offering 51.2 GB/s bandwidth — one-third higher than the Intel chip despite using older memory technology.

The socket situation further separates them: the Intel uses BGA 2270, a mobile soldered form factor, while the Opteron uses Socket G34, a server socket. The Intel chip's PCIe implementation is Gen 3 with 8 lanes from the CPU, while the Opteron supports only Gen 2. The Opteron includes ECC memory support, which the Intel lacks. The Intel's process node advantage — 14 nm versus 32 nm — gives it a massive transistor density lead, but the Opteron compensates with raw die area and core count. The Intel part draws 65 W TDP, the Opteron 140 W. Perhaps most tellingly, the Opteron's launch MSRP was $1392, reflecting its enterprise positioning, while the Intel chip has no listed launch price, indicating its mobile OEM focus.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear but nuanced picture. For users running Cinebench workloads specifically, the AMD Opteron 6386 SE is the stronger processor, winning all six direct comparisons by a consistent 8.2% to 9% margin. Its 16 cores provide a genuine, if modest, advantage even in multicore tests, and its single-core performance is unexpectedly competitive given the architectural generation gap. The Opteron also offers ECC memory support and higher memory bandwidth, making it the more capable platform for error-sensitive server or workstation tasks. However, the Intel Core i7-8705G counters with a dramatically lower power envelope, integrated graphics, and a 14 nm process that enables its mobile form factor. The Intel's Geekbench scores suggest competitive performance in that specific benchmark suite, and its average benchmark score of 2058 actually edges the Opteron's 2038. The Opteron's 45th percentile ranking versus the Intel's 46th percentile further underscores how close these chips are in aggregate performance. The choice hinges on platform requirements: the Opteron for socketed server deployments needing ECC and raw core count, the Intel for mobile or compact systems where power, graphics, and modern memory support take precedence. Neither chip dominates decisively; the Opteron wins the tests, but the Intel wins the efficiency argument.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. The Intel has 4 cores and 8 threads; the AMD has 16 cores and 16 threads. The Intel's base clock is 3.10 GHz versus the AMD's 2.80 GHz, with boost clocks of 4.10 GHz and 3.50 GHz respectively. TDP is 65 W for Intel versus 140 W for AMD. Sockets differ: Intel BGA 2270 versus AMD Socket G34. The Intel uses Kaby Lake architecture on 14 nm from Intel's foundry; the AMD uses Piledriver on 32 nm from GlobalFoundries. The Intel die is 125 mm²; the AMD uses two 315 mm² dies with 2,400 million transistors. Cache layouts diverge: Intel has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3; AMD has 768 KB L1, 2 MB L2 per module, and 8 MB L3 per die. Memory support is DDR4 dual-channel for Intel versus DDR3 quad-channel for AMD, with bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s. ECC is unsupported on Intel, supported on AMD. PCIe is Gen 3 with 8 lanes on Intel, Gen 2 on AMD. The Intel includes integrated graphics; the AMD has none. Market segments are Mobile versus Server/Workstation. Release dates are 2018-01-06 for Intel versus 2012-11-04 for AMD. The part numbers are SR3RK and OS6386YETGGHK respectively.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multicore performance?

A: The AMD Opteron 6386 SE wins with a score of 7047 against the Intel Core i7-8705G's 6464, representing an 8.3% advantage for the AMD chip.

Q: Does the Intel chip have any integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i7-8705G includes Intel HD Graphics 630 integrated graphics. The AMD Opteron 6386 SE has no integrated graphics at all.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The AMD Opteron 6386 SE offers 51.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth via quad-channel DDR3, while the Intel Core i7-8705G provides 38.4 GB/s via dual-channel DDR4.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Opteron 6386 SE supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-8705G does not.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i7-8705G has an average benchmark score of 2058, while the AMD Opteron 6386 SE has an average of 2038. The Intel chip is slightly ahead in this aggregate metric despite losing all direct head-to-head comparisons.

Q: What is the release date gap between these processors?

A: The AMD Opteron 6386 SE was released on 2012-11-04, while the Intel Core i7-8705G was released on 2018-01-06, making the Intel chip approximately five years newer.