AMD A10-7850K vs AMD Opteron 3350 HE Comparison

The AMD A10-7850K and AMD Opteron 3350 HE are both end-of-life quad-core processors from AMD, yet they target entirely different segments: the A10-7850K is a desktop part built for integrated graphics and unlocked overclocking, while the Opteron 3350 HE is a low-power server/workstation chip. Benchmark data shows they land within 1% of each other in average performance, but their architectural and specification differences create distinct use cases. The A10-7850K posts an average benchmark score of 796, while the Opteron 3350 HE scores 789, a difference of just 0.9%. Both sit at the 21st percentile among all CPUs, placing them in similar mid-low performance territory. However, the two chips are not directly comparable in their benchmark suites, with the A10-7850K providing Geekbench scores and the Opteron 3350 HE providing Cinebench scores.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Direct head-to-head benchmark results are not available in the data, so the comparison must rely on each processor’s respective benchmark submissions and their nearest rivals. The A10-7850K achieves a Geekbench multi-core score of 1139 and a single-core score of 453. Its average benchmark score of 796 places it nearly identical to the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G, which scores 797 (a delta of -0.1%), and just 0.2% ahead of the AMD A6-9400 (794) and 0.3% ahead of the AMD A10-5800B (794). The Intel Pentium Silver J5040 edges it out at 801, a 0.6% margin.

The Opteron 3350 HE’s benchmark results are entirely from Cinebench iterations. Its multi-core score in Cinebench R15 is 231, rising to 963 in R20 multi-core and 135 in R20 single-core. In Cinebench R23, the Opteron scores 2294 multi-core and 323 single-core. The Opteron’s average score of 789 ties it with the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 (789, delta -0.1%) and the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 (790, delta -0.1%). The Intel Core i5-4210U (788) and Intel Core i5-3610ME (788) come in 0.1% and 0.2% behind, respectively.

Because the two CPUs use different benchmark suites, a direct score-to-score comparison is impossible; however, both chips are surrounded by rivals from very different eras and market positions. The A10-7850K’s rivals include modern low-power embedded and desktop parts (Ryzen Embedded, Pentium Silver), while the Opteron’s rivals are older Core 2 Extreme flagships and low-voltage mobile Core i5s. This suggests the A10-7850K’s performance profile is more competitive against contemporary low-end hardware, while the Opteron’s performance is comparable to late-2000s high-end desktop processors and mid-range 2013-era mobile chips. The Opteron’s single-core Cinebench R20 score of 135 is notably low, indicating that while multi-core throughput is reasonable for its class, single-threaded performance lags behind modern expectations.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear verdict: the AMD A10-7850K is the better choice for general desktop computing and any workload that benefits from integrated graphics or overclocking, while the AMD Opteron 3350 HE is the better choice for low-power server or workstation deployments where energy efficiency trumps raw single-thread speed. The A10-7850K has a higher base clock of 3.70 GHz versus the Opteron’s 2.80 GHz, and a higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz versus 3.80 GHz. This clock advantage, combined with a newer 28 nm Steamroller architecture versus the Opteron’s 32 nm K10 architecture, gives the A10-7850K a significant edge in single-threaded performance, as evidenced by its Geekbench single-core score of 453 — though no direct Cinebench comparison exists, the architectural generational gap is clear.

The Opteron 3350 HE, however, offers a much lower TDP of 45 watts versus the A10-7850K’s 95 watts, making it far more efficient for dense server environments. The Opteron also has a substantial L3 cache advantage, with 8 MB shared L3 versus no L3 cache on the A10-7850K. This L3 cache can improve performance in multi-threaded server workloads that exhibit cache locality. The Opteron’s launch MSRP was $125, but no pricing data exists for the A10-7850K. For users building a desktop PC, the A10-7850K’s integrated Radeon R7 graphics and unlocked multiplier make it the obvious pick. For users populating a server rack with low-power compute nodes, the Opteron 3350 HE’s 45-watt TDP and server-grade memory bandwidth (29.9 GB/s) are more compelling.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A10-7850K wins decisively in desktop and consumer scenarios. Its integrated Radeon R7 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems, a feature entirely absent from the Opteron 3350 HE, which relies on chipset features on certain motherboards for any display output. The A10-7850K’s unlocked multiplier allows for overclocking, whereas the Opteron is locked. The A10-7850K also supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Opteron is limited to PCIe Gen 2. For single-threaded workloads, the A10-7850K’s higher clocks (3.70/4.00 GHz versus 2.80/3.80 GHz) and newer architecture provide a clear advantage, reflected in its Geekbench single-core score of 453, which is strong for a 2014-era part.

The AMD Opteron 3350 HE wins in power-constrained and cache-sensitive server environments. Its 45-watt TDP is less than half of the A10-7850K’s 95-watt TDP, making it significantly cheaper to cool and power in a multi-socket or dense deployment. The Opteron’s 8 MB shared L3 cache is a major asset for workloads that repeatedly access a large working set, and its dual-channel DDR3 memory bus with 29.9 GB/s bandwidth is specified, whereas the A10-7850K’s memory bandwidth is not listed. The Opteron’s Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 2294 shows it can handle multi-threaded rendering tasks, though its single-core score of 323 in the same suite is weak. The Opteron also targets the Server/Workstation market segment, indicating AMD intended it for prolonged, steady-state operation rather than interactive desktop use.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD A10-7850K has an average benchmark score of 796, which is 0.9% higher than the AMD Opteron 3350 HE’s average score of 789.

Q: Does the AMD Opteron 3350 HE have integrated graphics?

A: No. The Opteron 3350 HE has integrated graphics only as a chipset feature on certain motherboards, whereas the A10-7850K includes a dedicated Radeon R7 integrated GPU.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The AMD Opteron 3350 HE has a TDP of 45 watts, while the AMD A10-7850K has a TDP of 95 watts, making the Opteron more than twice as power-efficient on paper.

Q: Which processor supports overclocking?

A: The AMD A10-7850K has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the AMD Opteron 3350 HE has a locked multiplier and does not support it.

Q: How do their cache configurations differ?

A: The A10-7850K has 256 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache with no L3 cache. The Opteron 3350 HE has 192 KB of L1 cache, 4 MB of L2 cache, and an additional 8 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the release date of each processor?

A: The AMD A10-7850K was released on 2014-01-13, and the AMD Opteron 3350 HE was released earlier on 2012-12-03.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent distinct architectural generations from AMD. The A10-7850K is built on the Steamroller architecture, codenamed Kaveri, fabricated on a 28 nm process node by GlobalFoundries. It contains 2,411 million transistors on a 245 mm² die. The Opteron 3350 HE is built on the older K10 architecture, codenamed Delhi, fabricated on a 32 nm process node, also by GlobalFoundries, with 1,200 million transistors on a larger 315 mm² die. The A10-7850K features a smaller, denser process and newer architecture, which likely contributes to its higher clock speeds despite a lower transistor count per area. The Opteron’s larger die and older process explain its lower clocks and higher power efficiency at a 45-watt TDP.

The memory and expansion interfaces differ significantly. The A10-7850K supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Opteron 3350 HE is limited to PCIe Gen 2. The A10-7850K uses the FM2+ socket and includes a Radeon R7 integrated GPU, which is a major architectural feature absent from the Opteron. The Opteron uses the AM3+ socket and relies on the chipset for integrated graphics. The Opteron also specifies a dual-channel memory bus with 29.9 GB/s bandwidth, while the A10-7850K’s memory bus specifications are not listed. Both support DDR3 memory, and neither supports ECC memory. The A10-7850K has a smaller L1 cache (256 KB) but larger L1 cache overall than the Opteron (192 KB), while both have 4 MB of L2 cache; the Opteron adds 8 MB of shared L3 cache, which the A10-7850K lacks entirely.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the AMD A10-7850K and AMD Opteron 3350 HE, based solely on the provided data:

• Base Clock: A10-7850K runs at 3.70 GHz; Opteron 3350 HE runs at 2.80 GHz.
• Boost Clock: A10-7850K boosts to 4.00 GHz; Opteron 3350 HE boosts to 3.80 GHz.
• TDP: A10-7850K has a TDP of 95 watts; Opteron 3350 HE has a TDP of 45 watts.
• Socket: A10-7850K uses AMD Socket FM2+; Opteron 3350 HE uses AMD Socket AM3+.
• Architecture: A10-7850K uses Steamroller; Opteron 3350 HE uses K10.
• Codename: A10-7850K is Kaveri; Opteron 3350 HE is Delhi.
• Process Node: A10-7850K is 28 nm; Opteron 3350 HE is 32 nm.
• Transistors: A10-7850K has 2,411 million; Opteron 3350 HE has 1,200 million.
• Die Size: A10-7850K is 245 mm²; Opteron 3350 HE is 315 mm².
• L1 Cache: A10-7850K has 256 KB; Opteron 3350 HE has 192 KB.
• L3 Cache: A10-7850K has none; Opteron 3350 HE has 8 MB shared.
• Memory Bus: A10-7850K does not list a bus; Opteron 3350 HE is dual-channel.
• Memory Bandwidth: A10-7850K does not list bandwidth; Opteron 3350 HE lists 29.9 GB/s.
• PCIe: A10-7850K supports Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only); Opteron 3350 HE supports Gen 2.
• Integrated Graphics: A10-7850K has Radeon R7; Opteron 3350 HE has graphics only on certain motherboards via chipset.
• Market Segment: A10-7850K is Desktop; Opteron 3350 HE is Server/Workstation.
• Release Date: A10-7850K released 2014-01-13; Opteron 3350 HE released 2012-12-03.
• Launch MSRP: A10-7850K has no listed MSRP; Opteron 3350 HE had a launch MSRP of $125.
• Multiplier Unlocked: A10-7850K is unlocked; Opteron 3350 HE is locked.
• Part Number: A10-7850K is AD785KXBI44JAAD785KXBJABOX; Opteron 3350 HE is OS3350HOW4KHK.