Opteron 6386 SE vs Xeon E5-1660

Opteron 6386 SE vs Xeon E5-1660 Performance Spectrum

Opteron 6386 SE

16 / 16

8,291

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Xeon E5-1660

6 / 12

8,324

+0.4%

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.

Opteron 6386 SE vs Xeon E5-1660 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.

Opteron 6386 SE vs Xeon E5-1660: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Opteron 6386 SE

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,291 vs 8,324).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.0 vs 7.7 PassMark/$ ($1,392 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).

Xeon E5-1660

2012

Why buy it

✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Costs $312 less on MSRP ($1,080 MSRP vs $1,392 MSRP).
✅Delivers 29.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 7.7 vs 6.0 PassMark/$ ($1,080 MSRP vs $1,392 MSRP).
✅Draws 130W instead of 140W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-1660 better than Opteron 6386 SE?

Yes. Xeon E5-1660 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-1660 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-1660 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Xeon E5-1660 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-1660 comes in $312 cheaper on MSRP at $1,080 MSRP versus $1,392 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 29.4% better value on MSRP (7.7 vs 6.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon E5-1660 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Opteron 6386 SE vs Xeon E5-1660 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon E5-1660

The Xeon E5-1660 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,324 points. Launch price was $290.

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Processing Power

The Opteron 6386 SE packs 16 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-1660 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Opteron 6386 SE has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Opteron 6386 SE versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1660 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Opteron 6386 SE uses the Abu Dhabi (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-1660 uses Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Opteron 6386 SE scores 8,291 against the Xeon E5-1660's 8,324 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E5-1660. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 6386 SE vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660.

Feature	Opteron 6386 SE	Xeon E5-1660
Cores / Threads	16 / 16+167%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.9 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	3.3 GHz+18%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	15360 kB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	16 MB+6300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Abu Dhabi (2012)	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
PassMark	8,291	8,324

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Memory & Platform

The Opteron 6386 SE uses the G34 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-1660 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Opteron 6386 SE	Xeon E5-1660
Socket	G34	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Opteron 6386 SE was priced at $1392, while the Xeon E5-1660 came in at $1080. On launch pricing ($1392 vs $1080), Xeon E5-1660 was $312 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Opteron 6386 SE delivers 6.0 pts/$ vs 7.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1660 — making the Xeon E5-1660 the 25.6% better value option.

Feature	Opteron 6386 SE	Xeon E5-1660
MSRP	$1392	$1080-22%
Performance per Dollar	6.0	7.7+28%
Release Date	2012	2012

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