AMD Opteron 6380
AMD processor specifications and benchmark scores
ECC MemoryAt a Glance
AMDAMD Opteron 6380 Specifications
Opteron 6380 Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The AMD Opteron 6380 features 16 physical cores and 16 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
Opteron 6380 Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Opteron 6380 benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The Opteron 6380 by AMD can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
AMD's Opteron 6380 Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the Opteron 6380 processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The Opteron 6380's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
Piledriver Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The AMD Opteron 6380 is built on AMD's 32 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in Opteron 6380 incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Piledriver Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Opteron 6380 by AMD supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
Opteron 6380 Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The AMD Opteron 6380 has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 115W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
AMD Socket G34 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Opteron 6380 uses the AMD Socket G34 socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
AMD Socket G34 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the Opteron 6380 define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the Opteron 6380 determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
Opteron 6380 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The AMD Opteron 6380 is manufactured by AMD and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the Opteron 6380 by AMD offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within AMD's product lineup.
Opteron 6380 Benchmark Scores
cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicoreSource
Cinebench R15 multi-core renders a complex 3D scene using all CPU threads simultaneously. This test reveals how AMD Opteron 6380 performs in parallel rendering workloads like video production and 3D animation. Higher scores mean faster render times in professional applications.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby Performerscinebench_cinebench_r15_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R15 single-core measures the speed of one CPU thread rendering 3D geometry. This score indicates how AMD Opteron 6380 handles tasks that can't be parallelized across multiple cores. Games and many desktop applications still rely heavily on single-thread performance.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r20_multicoreSource
Cinebench R20 multi-core uses a scene requiring 4x more computational power than R15. This test better reflects modern CPU capabilities for professional rendering on AMD Opteron 6380.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r20_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R20 single-core tests one thread against a more demanding scene than R15. This reveals the true single-thread rendering capability of AMD Opteron 6380.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicoreSource
Cinebench R23 multi-core is the current standard for CPU rendering benchmarks with a 10-minute minimum runtime. This extended test reveals sustained performance of AMD Opteron 6380 after thermal limits kick in.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R23 single-core measures sustained single-thread performance over 10 minutes. This reveals how AMD Opteron 6380 maintains boost clocks under continuous load.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
About AMD Opteron 6380
The AMD Opteron 6380 is a 16-core server processor from the Piledriver generation (codename Abu Dhabi), built on GlobalFoundries' 32 nm process with 2,400 million transistors across a dual-die package (2x 315 mm²). It operates with a 2.50 GHz base clock and a 3.40 GHz boost clock, drawing up to 115 W TDP, and was released in November 2012 with a launch MSRP of $1088. Its overall average benchmark score sits at 1643, placing it in the 41st percentile of all CPUs tracked, meaning it outperforms roughly two-fifths of the database while trailing the majority.
How It Compares
Against the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G, the Opteron 6380 scores virtually identically, with a delta of just 0.2% in its favor (1643 vs 1640). This is a striking result: a 2012 dual-die server chip with 16 Piledriver cores matches a modern quad-core Raven Ridge APU on average. The Ryzen part achieves this with far fewer threads and likely much lower power draw, but the Opteron holds its own in aggregate throughput, making it a viable option for legacy multi-threaded workloads where core count trumps IPC.
The Intel Core i7-980X (Gulftown, a 6-core Westmere part from 2010) is the nearest rival on the trailing side, with the Opteron 6380 lagging by 0.3% (1643 vs 1647). The gap is negligible, less than a single percentage point. This parity is notable because the i7-980X relies on higher per-core efficiency and hyper-threading, while the Opteron's advantage comes purely from raw core count. In heavily parallel tasks, the Opteron's 16 physical cores can compensate for its older architecture's lower instructions-per-clock.
The Intel Core i5-5675R (Broadwell, a 4-core desktop part) also edges out the Opteron by 0.3% (1643 vs 1648). This comparison highlights the generational leap in single-thread performance: the i5-5675R's superior IPC and higher clocks per core allow it to match a 16-core server CPU in the aggregate benchmark suite. For workloads that scale poorly or are latency-sensitive, the i5 would likely feel faster despite the Opteron's massive core advantage.
The Intel Xeon E5-2623 v3 (Haswell-EP, a 4-core/8-thread server part) is the only rival the Opteron beats by a meaningful margin, at 0.4% (1643 vs 1637). The Xeon's higher per-core performance is offset by its lower core count, and the Opteron's extra 12 physical cores tip the average score in its favor. In multi-threaded rendering or compilation, the Opteron would pull further ahead; in lightly threaded tasks, the Xeon's newer architecture would dominate.
Who Should Consider It
The Opteron 6380 is a niche product for specific legacy server and workstation scenarios. For multi-threaded creation workloads, such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or batch file processing, the 16 cores and 16 threads provide substantial parallel throughput. Cinebench R23 multicore scores of 5683 reflect this capability, though modern 8-core desktop CPUs can exceed that with far lower power consumption, so its relevance is limited to systems already on Socket G34.
For office and general productivity tasks, the Opteron 6380 is poorly suited. Its single-core performance is weak, Cinebench R23 single-core score of 802, which means spreadsheet macros, web browsing, or document editing will feel sluggish. The data indicates this processor is not designed for interactive use; it is a server part for batch processing, not desktop responsiveness.
For gaming, the Opteron 6380 is not a practical choice. The single-thread scores are far below what modern games require, and the platform lacks the high-frequency memory and PCIe Gen 3 support found in contemporary systems. Even if paired with a modern GPU, the CPU would bottleneck severely in most game titles, which rely heavily on one or two threads.
The best fit is for homelab or archival server builds where the motherboard and DDR3 memory are already available, and where power efficiency is not a primary concern. The 115 W TDP is modest for a 16-core part, and ECC memory support makes it suitable for file servers, NAS appliances, or VM hosts running older hypervisors. Its end-of-life status means it should only be considered for existing infrastructure, not new purchases.
Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior
The split between single-thread and multi-thread performance is stark. In Cinebench R23, the Opteron scores 802 in single-core and 5683 in multi-core, yielding a scaling factor of roughly 7.1x across its 16 threads. This is close to ideal linear scaling, indicating the Piledriver architecture can effectively utilize all cores when the workload is parallel. However, the absolute single-core score is very low, nearly every modern desktop CPU, even entry-level models, surpasses 1500 in this test.
The gap is equally visible in Cinebench R20, where the Opteron scores 336 single-core and 2386 multi-core (7.1x scaling), and in R15, with 80 single-core and 572 multi-core (7.15x scaling). The consistent ~7x scaling confirms that the processor's strength lies entirely in thread utilization, not per-core efficiency. For workloads that are embarrassingly parallel, rendering, encoding, scientific simulations, the Opteron can compete with much newer processors. For anything requiring low latency or high single-thread throughput, it falls far behind.
This behavior has practical implications. A compile job with many independent translation units will benefit from the 16 cores. A database query that is inherently serial will not. The processor's design philosophy is clear: maximize aggregate throughput for server workloads, sacrificing per-core performance for core count. This makes it a poor choice for interactive applications but a capable workhorse for batch processing.
FAQ
Q: How does the Opteron 6380 compare to the Intel Core i7-980X?
A: The average benchmark scores are nearly identical: the Opteron scores 1643, while the i7-980X scores 1647, a delta of -0.3% in the Opteron's favor. In pure multi-threaded tasks, the Opteron's 16 cores may outperform the i7's 6 cores, but the i7 wins in single-thread performance.
Q: Is the Opteron 6380 good for gaming?
A: No. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 802 is far below what modern games require, and the platform lacks PCIe Gen 3 and high-frequency memory support. The processor is designed for server/workstation workloads, not interactive gaming.
Q: What memory does the Opteron 6380 support?
A: It supports DDR3 memory in a quad-channel configuration, offering a theoretical memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory, making it suitable for error-sensitive server tasks.
Q: What is the production status of the Opteron 6380?
A: It is end-of-life, having been released on November 4, 2012. Its launch MSRP was $1088, but it is no longer in active production.
Q: How many cores and threads does the Opteron 6380 have?
A: It has 16 cores and 16 threads, with no hyper-threading. The base clock is 2.50 GHz, and the boost clock is 3.40 GHz.
Q: What socket does the Opteron 6380 use?
A: It uses AMD Socket G34, which is a server platform socket. The processor is not compatible with consumer desktop sockets.
Benchmark Performance
The average benchmark score of 1643 places the Opteron 6380 in the 41st percentile of all CPUs. This is a modest ranking, reflecting the processor's age and architectural limitations. Compared to its nearest rivals, the performance is remarkably consistent: the worst delta is -0.3% (against the i5-5675R) and the best is +0.4% (against the Xeon E5-2623 v3). This clustering suggests that the Opteron's aggregate performance is on par with a mid-range desktop processor from 2015-2016 era, despite having more than twice the cores.
In Cinebench R15, the Opteron scores 572 in multi-core and 80 in single-core. The multi-core score is respectable for a 16-thread part, but the single-core score is exceptionally low, a modern dual-core CPU can exceed 200 in this test. The Cinebench R20 results show 2386 multi-core and 336 single-core, while R23 shows 5683 multi-core and 802 single-core. The multi-core scores scale consistently with core count, but the single-core scores are bottlenecked by the Piledriver architecture's low IPC and modest 3.40 GHz boost clock.
The Xeon E5-2623 v3 is the only rival the Opteron beats (0.4% delta), which is notable because the Xeon is a Haswell part with much newer architecture. The Opteron's 16 cores overwhelm the Xeon's 4 cores in aggregate, demonstrating that core count can compensate for IPC differences in highly parallel workloads. However, the Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G and i7-980X both match or slightly exceed the Opteron, showing that even a 4-core modern CPU can rival a 16-core legacy server chip in mixed workloads. For users considering this processor, the benchmark data suggests it is only worthwhile if the specific workload is heavily multi-threaded and the platform is already owned.
Platform and Compatibility
The Opteron 6380 is built for the AMD Socket G34 platform, a server-oriented socket that supports dual-socket configurations (though this specific part is a single-socket processor). The architecture is Piledriver, codenamed Abu Dhabi, fabricated on a 32 nm process by GlobalFoundries. The package contains two dies, each measuring 315 mm², totaling 2,400 million transistors. The cache hierarchy includes 768 KB of L1, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 8 MB of L3 per die, meaning a fully populated dual-die configuration offers 16 MB of L3 overall.
Memory support is limited to DDR3, with a quad-channel memory bus providing 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth. ECC memory is supported, which is critical for server reliability. The PCIe interface is Gen 2, which is outdated by modern standards, this limits the bandwidth available to GPUs and NVMe drives, making the platform unsuitable for modern high-performance storage or graphics. The multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not possible via the CPU multiplier.
The production status is end-of-life, and the release date is November 4, 2012. The part number is OS6380WKTGGHK. As a platform, Socket G34 is obsolete, with no upgrade path beyond other Opteron parts from the same generation. Users on this platform must accept its limitations: DDR3 memory, PCIe Gen 2, and no modern features like PCIe Gen 4 or DDR5. For existing server infrastructure, the Opteron 6380 can be a drop-in upgrade, but for new builds, it offers no advantages over modern alternatives. The 115 W TDP is reasonable for a 16-core part, but the architecture's inefficiency means real-world power consumption per unit of performance is high compared to modern CPUs.
The Intel Equivalent of Opteron 6380
Looking for a similar processor from Intel? The Intel Core i5-3335S offers comparable performance and features in the Intel lineup.
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