Opteron 6238
VS
Core i7-3615QE

Opteron 6238 vs Core i7-3615QE

AMD

Opteron 6238

12 Cores12 Thrd115 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2011
VS
Intel

Core i7-3615QE

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Opteron 6238 is positioned at rank 61 and the Core i7-3615QE is on rank 997, so the Opteron 6238 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Opteron 6238

#1
Xeon Platinum 8454H
MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A
1478%
#6
Xeon Gold 6240R
MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A
279%
#10
Xeon 6337P
MSRP: $60|Avg: $5
248%
#15
EPYC 9174F
MSRP: $194|Avg: $30
192%
#54
EPYC 4465P
MSRP: $399|Avg: $399
89%
#55
Ryzen 5 PRO 7645
MSRP: $229|Avg: $192
86%
#56
Xeon E5-4667 v3
MSRP: $128|Avg: $128
86%
#59
Ryzen 9 PRO 7945
MSRP: $409|Avg: $450
81%
#60
Xeon Platinum 8571N
MSRP: $599|Avg: $418
81%
#61
Opteron 6238
MSRP: $455|Avg: $118
100%
#61
Xeon Platinum 8270
MSRP: $7405|Avg: N/A
81%
#63
Opteron 6376
MSRP: $703|Avg: N/A
99%
#64
Opteron 6328
MSRP: $575|Avg: $42
94%
#65
Opteron 6272
MSRP: $523|Avg: $50
93%
#71
Opteron 6220
MSRP: $523|Avg: $239
84%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3615QE

#985
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
2090%
#986
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
2059%
#987
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1890%
#988
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1882%
#989
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1865%
#991
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1801%
#992
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1726%
#993
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1724%
#994
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1677%
#997
Core i7-3615QE
MSRP: $400|Avg: $100
100%
#998
Celeron M U3400
MSRP: $86|Avg: $5
100%
#999
3015Ce
MSRP: $150|Avg: $40
100%
#1000
Core i7-4700MQ
MSRP: $383|Avg: $50
100%
#1001
Athlon II M340
MSRP: $80|Avg: $15
99%
#1005
Pentium P6000
MSRP: $150|Avg: $90
97%
#1007
Core i7-3630QM
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
97%
#1008
Core i7-3610QM
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
97%
#1009
Pentium A1020
MSRP: $86|Avg: $86
97%
#1010
Core i3-1115GRE
MSRP: $338|Avg: $480
97%
#1011
Core i7-4702MQ
MSRP: $383|Avg: $50
96%
#1012
Pentium N4200
MSRP: $161|Avg: $30.89
95%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-3615QE leads in gaming performance. However, the Opteron 6238 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.1% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightOpteron 6238Core i7-3615QE
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($118)
More affordable ($100)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Interlagos (2011−2012) / 32 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i7-3615QE stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 15% cheaper ($100 vs $118) while identifying as the stronger performer.
InsightOpteron 6238Core i7-3615QE
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+18%)
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($118)
More affordable ($100)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Opteron 6238 and Core i7-3615QE

AMD

Opteron 6238

The Opteron 6238 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 14 November 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Interlagos (2011−2012) architecture. It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per module). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: G34. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,625 points. Launch price was $455.

Intel

Core i7-3615QE

The Core i7-3615QE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 5,617 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Opteron 6238 packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-3615QE offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Opteron 6238 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Opteron 6238 versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-3615QE — a 3.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-3615QE (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Opteron 6238 uses the Interlagos (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-3615QE uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Opteron 6238 scores 5,625 against the Core i7-3615QE's 5,617 — a 0.1% lead for the Opteron 6238. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 6238 vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i7-3615QE.

FeatureOpteron 6238Core i7-3615QE
Cores / Threads
12 / 12+200%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
3.2 GHz
3.3 GHz+3%
Base Clock
2.6 GHz+13%
2.3 GHz
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)+33%
6144 kB (total)
L2 Cache
2 MB (per module)+700%
256 kB (per core)
Process
32 nm
22 nm-31%
Architecture
Interlagos (2011−2012)
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark
5,625
5,617
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Opteron 6238 uses the G34 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-3615QE uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureOpteron 6238Core i7-3615QE
Socket
G34
BGA1023
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
💰

Value Analysis

The Opteron 6238 launched at $455 MSRP, while the Core i7-3615QE debuted at $400. At current prices ($118 vs $100), the Core i7-3615QE is $18 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Opteron 6238 delivers 47.7 pts/$ vs 56.2 pts/$ for the Core i7-3615QE — making the Core i7-3615QE the 16.4% better value option.

FeatureOpteron 6238Core i7-3615QE
MSRP
$455
$400-12%
Avg Price (30d)
$118
$100-15%
Performance per Dollar
47.7
56.2+18%
Release Date
2011
2012