CPU
GPU
Xeon E5-1660
Opteron 6386 SE
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 Xeon E5-1660 is positioned at rank 924 and the Opteron 6386 SE is on rank 33, 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 Xeon E5-1660
Performance Per Dollar Opteron 6386 SE
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5-1660 | Opteron 6386 SE |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($29) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($880) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Abu Dhabi (2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5-1660 | Opteron 6386 SE |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+2947%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($29) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($880) |
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 Xeon E5-1660 and Opteron 6386 SE
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.
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 Xeon E5-1660 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Opteron 6386 SE offers 16 cores / 16 threads — the Opteron 6386 SE has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 versus 3.5 GHz on the Opteron 6386 SE — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1660 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Xeon E5-1660 uses the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Opteron 6386 SE uses Abu Dhabi (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1660 scores 8,324 against the Opteron 6386 SE's 8,291 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E5-1660. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660 vs 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 6386 SE.
| Feature | Xeon E5-1660 | Opteron 6386 SE |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 16 / 16+167% |
| Boost Clock | 3.9 GHz+11% | 3.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz+18% | 2.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 15360 kB (total)+88% | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 16 MB+6300% |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) | Abu Dhabi (2012) |
| PassMark | 8,324 | 8,291 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5-1660 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Opteron 6386 SE uses G34 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E5-1660 | Opteron 6386 SE |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | G34 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E5-1660 launched at $1080 MSRP, while the Opteron 6386 SE debuted at $1392. At current prices ($29 vs $880), the Xeon E5-1660 is $851 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-1660 delivers 287.0 pts/$ vs 9.4 pts/$ for the Opteron 6386 SE — making the Xeon E5-1660 the 187.3% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E5-1660 | Opteron 6386 SE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1080-22% | $1392 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $29-97% | $880 |
| Performance per Dollar | 287.0+2953% | 9.4 |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2012 |
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