CPU
GPU
Opteron 6386 SE
Xeon E5-1660
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 Xeon E5-1660 is on rank 924, 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 Xeon E5-1660
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Opteron 6386 SE | Xeon E5-1660 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($880) | ✅ More affordable ($29) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Abu Dhabi (2012) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Opteron 6386 SE | Xeon E5-1660 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+2947%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($880) | ✅ More affordable ($29) |
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 Xeon E5-1660
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.
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 |
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
The Opteron 6386 SE launched at $1392 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-1660 debuted at $1080. At current prices ($880 vs $29), the Xeon E5-1660 is $851 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Opteron 6386 SE delivers 9.4 pts/$ vs 287.0 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1660 — making the Xeon E5-1660 the 187.3% better value option.
| Feature | Opteron 6386 SE | Xeon E5-1660 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1392 | $1080-22% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $880 | $29-97% |
| Performance per Dollar | 9.4 | 287.0+2953% |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2012 |
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