AMD Opteron 6338P

AMD Opteron 6338P is a 12-core server processor built on the Piledriver architecture, released in January 2014 under the Warsaw codename. This end-of-life chip targets the server and workstation segment, and its benchmark percentile of 50 places it exactly at the midpoint of all CPUs in the database, indicating balanced, if unremarkable, performance characteristics.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Opteron 6338P operates with a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 2.80 GHz, a 0.50 GHz delta that reflects the Piledriver design’s modest frequency headroom. With 12 cores and 12 threads, this processor offers no simultaneous multithreading, meaning each core handles exactly one thread. This configuration is significant: in single-threaded workloads, the processor relies entirely on its 2.80 GHz boost ceiling and the architectural efficiency of Piledriver, which was not known for exceptional per-core performance even at launch. The data implies that single-thread tasks will be a relative weakness, as the 2.80 GHz peak is moderate by modern standards and the architecture’s instruction-level parallelism is limited compared to later designs.

Multi-threaded behavior is where the Opteron 6338P is designed to shine. The 12 physical cores provide raw parallel throughput, and the cache hierarchy, 576 KB of L1, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 8 MB of L3 per die, supports this by keeping data close to the execution units. The “per module” L2 and “per die” L3 designations hint at the dual-die construction (2x 315 mm² die size) that was characteristic of this generation. In heavily threaded workloads that can scale across all 12 cores, the processor can maintain sustained performance near its 2.80 GHz boost, but the lack of SMT means the ceiling for thread-level parallelism is fixed at 12 threads. For applications that benefit from 12 or fewer threads, this is adequate; for those that can use more, the 12-thread limit becomes a bottleneck. The 50th percentile ranking suggests that in mixed workloads, the processor’s single-thread deficit and multi-thread capability roughly cancel out, producing average overall performance relative to the broader CPU landscape.

Who Should Consider It

For gaming, the Opteron 6338P is not a compelling choice. Games typically prioritize single-thread performance, and this processor’s 2.80 GHz boost clock combined with the Piledriver architecture’s known per-core inefficiencies would likely result in subpar frame rates in CPU-bound scenarios. The absence of integrated graphics further requires a discrete GPU, which is standard for servers but adds friction for gaming builds. The data does not support recommending this chip for gaming workloads.

For content creation, the picture is more nuanced. Multi-threaded rendering, video encoding, and 3D simulation tasks that scale across 12 cores would see reasonable performance, but the lack of SMT and the modest 2.80 GHz boost mean that lightly threaded creation tasks, such as Photoshop filters or single-threaded exports, would underperform. The 8 MB L3 per die (16 MB total across two dies) helps with data locality in large datasets, but the 51.2 GB/s quad-channel DDR3 memory bandwidth is a limiting factor for memory-intensive creation workloads. The processor is better suited to batch rendering or compilation tasks that fully utilize all 12 cores over long durations.

For office and enterprise workloads, the Opteron 6338P finds its clearest use case. Virtualization, database serving, and multi-user server environments that run many concurrent threads would benefit from the 12 physical cores. The ECC memory support and server-oriented platform make it appropriate for reliability-critical applications. However, the 50th percentile ranking implies that many alternative server processors offer better performance, so this chip is best for specific legacy or cost-sensitive deployments where the platform is already established.

Benchmark Performance

The FACT PACK provides an average benchmark score of 0 and no nearest rivals, which means direct numeric comparisons to other processors are unavailable from the data. The percentileVsAllCpus field of 50 is the sole comparative metric, indicating that the Opteron 6338P sits exactly at the median of all CPUs evaluated. This is a striking data point: it suggests that despite being a server processor with 12 cores, its overall performance is average, not exceptional. The implication is that single-thread performance drags down the aggregate score, because a pure multi-threaded ranking would likely place a 12-core chip higher than the median.

The 2.80 GHz boost clock is the maximum frequency the processor can sustain on lightly threaded workloads, but the Piledriver architecture’s execution width and branch prediction capabilities limit how effectively that clock translates to instructions per cycle. In multi-threaded benchmarks, the 12 cores can collectively produce throughput that competes with mid-range desktop processors from the same era, but the absence of SMT means each core’s work is not doubled. The 32 nm process node from GlobalFoundries, with 2,400 million transistors across two dies, indicates a relatively dense but power-hungry design that favors core count over per-core efficiency. The data suggests that in pure multi-threaded throughput, the processor performs adequately, but in any benchmark that includes single-threaded portions, the average score falls to the midpoint, reflecting the architectural trade-off.

How It Compares

Since the nearestRivals field is empty, there are no direct rival comparisons available from the FACT PACK. The processor’s position can only be interpreted through the 50th percentile ranking, which places it in the middle of the performance distribution. Without specific rival names or deltaPct values, any comparative analysis must rely on the architectural characteristics: 12 cores versus typical 4-8 core desktop processors of its era would give it an advantage in parallel workloads, but the lower clock speed and older architecture would disadvantage it in single-threaded tasks. The absence of rival data in the FACT PACK means that no exact percentage deltas can be stated, and the analysis must remain qualitative. The processor is what the data shows: a median performer, neither a standout nor a laggard, in the overall CPU landscape.

FAQ

Q: What is the core and thread count of the AMD Opteron 6338P?

A: It has 12 cores and 12 threads, with no simultaneous multithreading, so each core handles one thread.

Q: What is the boost clock speed and how does it relate to the base clock?

A: The boost clock is 2.80 GHz, while the base clock is 2.30 GHz, giving a 0.50 GHz overclocking headroom for lightly threaded workloads.

Q: Does this processor support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory is supported, which is a critical feature for server reliability.

Q: What is the memory configuration and bandwidth?

A: It supports DDR3 memory in a quad-channel configuration, providing a theoretical memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s.

Q: What is the production status and release date?

A: The processor is end-of-life, and it was released on January 21, 2014.

Q: What is the benchmark percentile ranking of this CPU?

A: It ranks at the 50th percentile among all CPUs in the database, indicating median performance.

Platform and Compatibility

The Opteron 6338P uses the AMD Socket G34, a server-oriented socket that supports dual-processor configurations, though the FACT PACK does not specify multi-socket capabilities. The architecture is Piledriver under the Warsaw codename, belonging to the Opteron (Abu Dhabi) generation. The processor is built on a 32 nm process node by GlobalFoundries, with a die size of 2x 315 mm² and a total of 2,400 million transistors. This dual-die design means that the 8 MB L3 cache is split as 8 MB per die, providing 16 MB total, while the L2 cache is organized as 2 MB per module. Memory support is limited to DDR3, running in quad-channel mode with a peak bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, and ECC memory is supported for error correction in critical workloads. The PCIe interface is Gen 2, which is an older standard that limits bandwidth to storage and expansion cards compared to newer Gen 4 or Gen 5 implementations. The socket G34 platform was designed for dual-socket servers, but the FACT PACK does not confirm multi-CPU support, so the upgrade path is constrained to replacing the processor within an existing G34 motherboard. Given that the architecture is from 2014 and production has ceased, the upgrade path is essentially limited to other G34 processors from the same generation, with no forward compatibility to newer sockets.

Power and Thermals

The Opteron 6338P has a thermal design power (TDP) of 99 watts, which places it in a moderate power class for a 12-core server processor. This TDP level suggests that a capable air cooler with a standard server heatsink would be sufficient to manage thermals under sustained load, as 99 watts is well within the range of conventional cooling solutions. The 32 nm process node from GlobalFoundries is relatively power-hungry compared to later nodes, but the 99-watt TDP indicates that AMD tuned the clock speeds (2.30 GHz base, 2.80 GHz boost) to stay within a manageable thermal envelope. The dual-die construction means that heat is generated across two separate die areas, which can complicate cooling distribution, but the overall 99-watt figure implies that the processor does not require exotic cooling. For a server environment, this TDP class allows for dense chassis configurations where multiple sockets share cooling infrastructure. The boost clock of 2.80 GHz is likely achievable only when thermals permit, and the absence of an unlocked multiplier means no overclocking headroom, so the power draw remains predictable. The data indicates that a standard server-grade air cooler is adequate, and no liquid cooling or advanced thermal solutions are necessary to maintain operation within specified limits.