AMD Opteron 6386 SE

The AMD Opteron 6386 SE is a 16-core, 16-thread server processor built on the Piledriver architecture and the Abu Dhabi codename, targeting the Server/Workstation market segment. Released in late 2012, this part operates at a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.50 GHz, placing it in a specific performance tier that the benchmark data now positions at the 47th percentile of all CPUs. With an average benchmark score of 2038, the processor sits in a tightly contested zone where four rival parts are separated by less than a single percentage point, making its individual workload characteristics more important than its aggregate standing.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The split between single-thread and multi-thread performance is stark and defines the Opteron 6386 SE's practical usage. In Cinebench R15, the processor scores 100 points in the single-core test versus 710 points in the multicore test, a ratio of 7.1x. This indicates that while the chip can leverage its 16 physical cores effectively for parallel workloads, its per-thread throughput is minimal. The single-core score of 100 in R15 is exceptionally low, suggesting that Piledriver's architecture, despite its 32 nm process, delivers limited instructions per clock in lightly threaded tasks.

The pattern continues across newer benchmark versions. In Cinebench R20, the single-core score is 417 while the multicore score reaches 2959, a 7.1x scaling factor. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score is 994 and the multicore score is 7047, which is a 7.1x improvement. This consistent 7x scaling across all three Cinebench generations indicates that the processor's thread scaling is robust but that its baseline single-thread speed is the limiting factor. Real workloads that depend on single-thread responsiveness, such as database transactions or legacy application code, will see performance closer to the 994 R23 single-core score. In contrast, workloads like video rendering, scientific simulation, or virtual machine hosting that utilize all 16 threads will approach the multicore scores.

The data shows that the Opteron 6386 SE is not a balanced processor. Its design philosophy prioritizes core count over clock speed per core, and the 2.80 GHz base clock with 3.50 GHz boost is modest by modern standards. For a server environment where many concurrent threads are the norm, this behavior is acceptable, but for any interactive or latency-sensitive task, the single-thread deficit becomes apparent. The 16 threads are all physical, as there is no hyper-threading, so the multicore gains come purely from additional execution units rather than from simultaneous multithreading.

Power and Thermals

The Opteron 6386 SE carries a thermal design power (TDP) of 140 watts. This TDP class is typical for a dual-die server processor of its generation, and it implies a cooling solution that is more substantial than a stock desktop cooler but does not require exotic liquid cooling. The 32 nm process node from GlobalFoundries, with a die size of 2x 315 mm² and containing 2,400 million transistors, generates significant heat under full load, but the 140 W envelope allows for air cooling in a standard server chassis.

The power characteristics are directly tied to the core configuration. With 16 cores running at up to 3.50 GHz boost, the 140 W TDP suggests that the processor can sustain high multicore utilization without exceeding its thermal budget. However, the lack of a multiplier unlock means that users cannot easily adjust clock speeds to lower power draw or increase performance beyond the factory settings. The ECC memory support and quad-channel DDR3 memory bus, with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, contribute to the overall power profile, as the memory controller and I/O are integrated into the package.

In practical terms, the 140 W TDP places this processor in the same thermal class as many desktop high-end chips from its era, meaning a capable air cooler with a 120mm fan or a server-grade heatsink is sufficient. The production status is end-of-life, so no current thermal guidance is available from the manufacturer, but the benchmark results do not indicate any throttling issues that would skew scores. The processor's power efficiency, measured as performance per watt, is low by modern standards, but for its 2012 release context, the 140 W envelope was reasonable for a 16-core part.

Benchmark Performance

The aggregate benchmark data shows an average score of 2038, which places the Opteron 6386 SE at the 47th percentile of all CPUs. This is a mid-pack position, and the nearest rivals confirm that this is a crowded performance tier. The Intel Core i7-3960X scores 2036 on average, a delta of 0.1% behind the Opteron. The Intel Xeon E3-1270 v5 scores 2043, which is 0.3% ahead. The Intel Core i7-7700T also scores 2044, 0.3% ahead, and the Intel Xeon E3-1240 v5 scores 2031, 0.3% behind.

These deltas are within the margin of error for most benchmarking runs, meaning the Opteron 6386 SE is effectively tied with all four rivals in overall average score. However, the workload composition matters. The Opteron's Cinebench R23 multicore score of 7047 is its strongest showing, and this is where the 16 cores provide an advantage. The Intel Core i7-3960X, a six-core part, would likely fall behind in multicore tests, while the Xeon E3-1270 v5, a four-core eight-thread part, would trail significantly. Conversely, the Opteron's R23 single-core score of 994 is roughly one-third of what modern eight-core parts achieve, so any benchmark that weights single-thread performance will favor the rivals.

The Cinebench R20 scores tell a similar story: 2959 multicore and 417 single-core. The multicore score is respectable for a 16-thread processor, but the single-core score is low enough to drag the average down. The data suggests that the Opteron 6386 SE is best suited for throughput-oriented workloads where the 16 threads can be fully utilized. For mixed workloads that include serial sections, the performance will be closer to the single-core scores, and the rivals will pull ahead. The 0.1% to 0.3% deltas in average score mask these large swings in individual test categories.

FAQ

Q: What is the average benchmark score of the AMD Opteron 6386 SE?

A: The average benchmark score is 2038, which places it at the 47th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: How does the Opteron 6386 SE compare to the Intel Core i7-3960X?

A: The Opteron has an average score of 2038 versus 2036 for the i7-3960X, a delta of 0.1% in favor of the Opteron.

Q: What is the maximum memory bandwidth supported?

A: The quad-channel DDR3 memory bus provides a maximum bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, with ECC memory support enabled.

Q: Does this processor have integrated graphics?

A: No, the Opteron 6386 SE has no integrated graphics, which is typical for a server/workstation part.

Q: What is the thermal design power (TDP)?

A: The TDP is 140 watts, requiring a capable air cooler or server-grade heatsink.

Q: What is the production status of this processor?

A: The production status is end-of-life, with a release date of November 2012.

How It Compares

Intel Core i7-3960X: The Opteron leads this rival by 0.1% in average score (2038 vs 2036). Both are from the same era, but the i7-3960X has fewer cores and a higher clock speed, making it more competitive in single-thread tests. The Opteron's advantage lies in multicore scaling, where its 16 threads outpace the i7's six cores.

Intel Xeon E3-1270 v5: The Xeon leads by 0.3% (2043 vs 2038). This is a newer, more efficient part with a higher single-thread performance. The Opteron can match or exceed it in multicore workloads, but the Xeon's per-core speed gives it an edge in serial tasks.

Intel Core i7-7700T: The i7-7700T also leads by 0.3% (2044 vs 2038). This is a low-power desktop part with a much higher single-core score. The Opteron's multicore score is higher, but the average is pulled down by its weak single-thread performance.

Intel Xeon E3-1240 v5: The Opteron leads this rival by 0.3% (2038 vs 2031). The Xeon E3-1240 v5 is a quad-core part, so the Opteron's 16 cores provide a clear advantage in heavily threaded benchmarks, though the Xeon is better in single-thread tests.

Platform and Compatibility

The Opteron 6386 SE uses the AMD Socket G34, a server-oriented socket that supports dual-processor configurations. The architecture is Piledriver, and the codename is Abu Dhabi, with a 32 nm process node from GlobalFoundries. The processor has a die size of 2x 315 mm² and contains 2,400 million transistors, spread across two dies, each with its own 8 MB L3 cache for a total of 16 MB L3 across the package. The L1 cache is 768 KB, and the L2 cache is 2 MB per module.

Memory support is DDR3 with a quad-channel bus, providing 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth and ECC support, which is essential for server reliability. PCIe support is Gen 2, which is standard for the 2012 era. The processor is not multiplier unlocked, so overclocking is not possible. The launch MSRP was $1392. The platform is end-of-life, meaning no new motherboard production is expected, and the upgrade path is limited to other G34 processors from the same generation. As a server part, it supports the Socket G34 infrastructure, which was designed for high-core-count Opteron processors, and the quad-channel memory controller ensures adequate bandwidth for 16 threads. The absence of integrated graphics means a discrete GPU or server management controller is required for display output.