CPU
GPU
Opteron 6386 SE
Core i3-N300
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 6386 SE is positioned at rank 33 and the Core i3-N300 is on rank 761, so the Opteron 6386 SE offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Opteron 6386 SE
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-N300
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Opteron 6386 SE | Core i3-N300 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($880) | ✅ More affordable ($309) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Abu Dhabi (2012) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-N (2023) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Opteron 6386 SE | Core i3-N300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+185%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($880) | ✅ More affordable ($309) |
Performance Check
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 6386 SE and Core i3-N300
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.
Core i3-N300
The Core i3-N300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-N (2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 0.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per module). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 7 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 8,283 points. Launch price was $309.
Processing Power
The Opteron 6386 SE packs 16 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i3-N300 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Opteron 6386 SE has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Opteron 6386 SE versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-N300 — a 8.2% clock advantage for the Core i3-N300 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 0.1 GHz). The Opteron 6386 SE uses the Abu Dhabi (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-N300 uses Alder Lake-N (2023) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Opteron 6386 SE scores 8,291 against the Core i3-N300's 8,283 — a 0.1% lead for the Opteron 6386 SE. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 6386 SE vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-N300.
| Feature | Opteron 6386 SE | Core i3-N300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 16 / 16+100% | 8 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz | 3.8 GHz+9% |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz+2700% | 0.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total)+33% | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 16 MB+700% | 2 MB (per module) |
| Process | 32 nm | Intel 7 nm-78% |
| Architecture | Abu Dhabi (2012) | Alder Lake-N (2023) |
| PassMark | 8,291 | 8,283 |
Memory & Platform
The Opteron 6386 SE uses the G34 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-N300 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Opteron 6386 SE | Core i3-N300 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | G34 | FCBGA1264 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 5.0+150% |
Value Analysis
The Opteron 6386 SE launched at $1392 MSRP, while the Core i3-N300 debuted at $309. At current prices ($880 vs $309), the Core i3-N300 is $571 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Opteron 6386 SE delivers 9.4 pts/$ vs 26.8 pts/$ for the Core i3-N300 — making the Core i3-N300 the 96% better value option.
| Feature | Opteron 6386 SE | Core i3-N300 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1392 | $309-78% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $880 | $309-65% |
| Performance per Dollar | 9.4 | 26.8+185% |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2023 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Opteron 6386 SE and Core i3-N300
