Core i3-6100E vs Opteron 4386

Core i3-6100E vs Opteron 4386 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-6100E

2 / 4

3,315

+1.3%

3,273

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-6100E vs Opteron 4386 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-6100E vs Opteron 4386: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-6100E

2015

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $234 less on MSRP ($225 MSRP vs $459 MSRP).
✅Delivers 106.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 14.7 vs 7.1 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $459 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 530, while Opteron 4386 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Opteron 4386 across 29 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Opteron 4386, which brings 8 cores / 8 threads and 42 PCIe lanes.

Opteron 4386

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.0% higher average FPS across 29 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 8 threads, plus 42 PCIe lanes vs 16.
✅162.5% more PCIe lanes (42 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,273 vs 3,315).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.1 vs 14.7 PassMark/$ ($459 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
❌171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-6100E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-6100E better than Opteron 4386?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Opteron 4386 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i3-6100E is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6100E is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-6100E is the better buy right now. Core i3-6100E comes in $234 cheaper on MSRP at $225 MSRP versus $459 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Opteron 4386 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 10.0% average FPS lead across 29 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 106.6% better value on MSRP (14.7 vs 7.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-6100E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-6100E vs Opteron 4386 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-6100E

The Core i3-6100E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 3,315 points. Launch price was $225.

Opteron 4386

The Opteron 4386 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Seoul (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: C32. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,273 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-6100E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Opteron 4386 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Opteron 4386 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i3-6100E versus 3.8 GHz on the Opteron 4386 — a 33.8% clock advantage for the Opteron 4386. The Core i3-6100E uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Opteron 4386 uses Seoul (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6100E scores 3,315 against the Opteron 4386's 3,273 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i3-6100E. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-6100E vs 8192 kB (total) on the Opteron 4386.

Feature	Core i3-6100E	Opteron 4386
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	8 / 8+300%
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	3.8 GHz+41%
Base Clock	—	3.1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	8192 kB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	512 kB	8192 kB+1500%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Seoul (2012)
PassMark	3,315+1%	3,273

🧠

Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches 2133 on the Core i3-6100E versus DDR3-1866 on the Opteron 4386 — the Core i3-6100E supports 14.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Opteron 4386 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-6100E) vs 42 (Opteron 4386) — the Opteron 4386 offers 26 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-6100E	Opteron 4386
Socket	—	C32
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	2133+14%	DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	42+163%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: true (Core i3-6100E) vs AMD-V (Opteron 4386). The Core i3-6100E includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 530), while the Opteron 4386 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Opteron 4386 targets Server.

Feature	Core i3-6100E	Opteron 4386
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 530	—
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Server

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-6100E was priced at $225, while the Opteron 4386 came in at $459. On launch pricing ($225 vs $459), Core i3-6100E was $234 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-6100E delivers 14.7 pts/$ vs 7.1 pts/$ for the Opteron 4386 — making the Core i3-6100E the 69.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-6100E	Opteron 4386
MSRP	$225-51%	$459
Performance per Dollar	14.7+107%	7.1
Release Date	2015	2012

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