Core i7-8559U vs Opteron 6386 SE

Intel

Core i7-8559U

4 Cores8 Thrd28 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2018
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Opteron 6386 SE

16 Cores16 Thrd140 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2012
Similar parts
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Core i7-8559U vs Opteron 6386 SE Performance Spectrum

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 i7-8559U vs Opteron 6386 SE 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 i7-8559U vs Opteron 6386 SE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-8559U

2018

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +4.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 28W instead of 140W, a 112W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (8,274 vs 8,291).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Opteron 6386 SE, which brings 16 cores / 16 threads.

Opteron 6386 SE

2012

Why buy it

  • +0.2% higher PassMark.
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8559U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Launch MSRP is still $1,392 MSRP, while Core i7-8559U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 400% higher power demand at 140W vs 28W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8559U better than Opteron 6386 SE?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Opteron 6386 SE makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-8559U 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, Opteron 6386 SE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 16 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-8559U is still the faster CPU overall, but Opteron 6386 SE is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-8559U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,392 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Opteron 6386 SE is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.2% better PassMark. Opteron 6386 SE is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (6.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i7-8559U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-8559U vs Opteron 6386 SE Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-8559U

The Core i7-8559U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,274 points. Launch price was $431.

AMD

Opteron 6386 SE

The Opteron 6386 SE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Abu Dhabi (2012) architecture. It features 16 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 16 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: G34. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,291 points. Launch price was $2,408.

Processing Power

The Core i7-8559U packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Opteron 6386 SE offers 16 cores / 16 threads — the Opteron 6386 SE has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-8559U versus 3.5 GHz on the Opteron 6386 SE — a 25% clock advantage for the Core i7-8559U (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-8559U uses the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Opteron 6386 SE uses Abu Dhabi (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8559U scores 8,274 against the Opteron 6386 SE's 8,291 — a 0.2% lead for the Opteron 6386 SE. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureCore i7-8559UOpteron 6386 SE
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
16 / 16+300%
Boost Clock
4.5 GHz+29%
3.5 GHz
Base Clock
2.7 GHz
2.8 GHz+4%
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)
8 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+1500%
16 MB
Process
14 nm-56%
32 nm
Architecture
Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)
Abu Dhabi (2012)
PassMark
8,274
8,291
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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8559U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Opteron 6386 SE uses G34 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-8559UOpteron 6386 SE
Socket
FCBGA1528
G34
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0