AMD Opteron 3280 vs Intel Core i5-3470S Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent and decisive advantage for the Intel Core i5-3470S across every shared benchmark. The AMD Opteron 3280 does not secure a single win in the head-to-head comparison, with the Intel part taking all five tested workloads.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel Core i5-3470S scores 373 against 324 for the AMD Opteron 3280, a delta of -13.1% from the AMD side. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Intel chip posts 1558 versus 1350, a -13.4% gap. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows the same margin: Intel at 3711, AMD at 3215, again -13.4%.

Single-core results are equally one-sided. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Intel Core i5-3470S reaches 220 while the AMD Opteron 3280 manages 190, a -13.6% difference. Cinebench R23 single-core follows with Intel at 524 and AMD at 453, a -13.5% delta. The consistency of these margins, all hovering near 13% to 14%, suggests a fundamental architectural efficiency gap rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The Intel processor also has additional benchmark coverage in the database, including Geekbench results that the AMD part lacks: 1726 multi-core and 599 single-core. These scores are not directly comparable to the AMD Opteron 3280 since no matching Geekbench run exists for the latter, but they provide context for the Intel chip's overall standing.

Looking at the aggregate data, the AMD Opteron 3280 holds an average benchmark score of 1106, placing it in the 31st percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core i5-3470S averages 1095, sitting in the 30th percentile. Despite the Intel part winning every head-to-head test, the overall averages are nearly identical, differing by only 11 points. This is a noteworthy discrepancy: the head-to-head margins are clear, yet the broader benchmark pool brings the two processors to almost the same level.

The nearest rivals for the AMD Opteron 3280 include the AMD Athlon X4 845 with a matching average score of 1106 (0% delta), the AMD Opteron 4280 at 1107 (-0.1%), and the AMD PRO A12-8870 at 1107 (-0.1%). For the Intel Core i5-3470S, the closest competitors are the Intel Core i7-2670QM at 1096 (-0.1%), the Intel Core i7-4610M at 1094 (0.1%), and the Intel Core i7-2710QE at 1096 (-0.1%). These rival groupings show that both chips are surrounded by comparable performers from their respective ecosystems.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470S wins all five recorded head-to-head tests, covering Cinebench R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core. The AMD Opteron 3280 has zero wins in this comparison.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470S leads by 13.1% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (373 vs 324), 13.4% in R20 multi-core (1558 vs 1350), and 13.4% in R23 multi-core (3711 vs 3215). The margin is remarkably stable across different Cinebench versions.

Q: Do the processors differ in single-core performance?

A: Yes, the Intel chip holds a consistent single-core advantage. In Cinebench R20 single-core, Intel scores 220 versus AMD's 190, a 13.6% gap. In R23 single-core, Intel scores 524 versus 453, a 13.5% gap.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The AMD Opteron 3280 has an average benchmark score of 1106, while the Intel Core i5-3470S averages 1095. The AMD part sits in the 31st percentile of all CPUs, and the Intel part in the 30th percentile.

Q: Which processors are the nearest rivals to these two chips?

A: For the AMD Opteron 3280, the nearest rivals are the AMD Athlon X4 845 (same score), AMD Opteron 4280 (within 0.1%), and AMD PRO A12-8870 (within 0.1%). For the Intel Core i5-3470S, the nearest rivals are the Intel Core i7-2670QM, i7-2710QE, i7-4610M, and i7-4600M, all within 0.2%.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the AMD Opteron 3280 outperforms the Intel chip?

A: No. In the recorded head-to-head data, the AMD Opteron 3280 does not win any of the five shared benchmarks. However, the overall average scores are nearly identical, with the AMD part slightly ahead by 11 points in aggregate.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3470S is the clear winner for users prioritizing consistent performance across both multi-threaded and single-threaded applications. Its advantages in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests make it suitable for rendering tasks, video encoding, and other workloads that scale with thread count. The single-core wins in R20 and R23 further extend its suitability to everyday desktop responsiveness, office productivity, and lightly threaded applications like web browsing and spreadsheet work.

The AMD Opteron 3280, despite losing every head-to-head test, remains competitive in aggregate scoring. Its average benchmark score of 1106 slightly edges out the Intel chip's 1095, suggesting that in a broader range of workloads not captured by the head-to-head set, the AMD part holds its own. The Opteron's eight cores and eight threads provide parallel processing capability that could benefit specific multi-threaded server-style workloads, even if Cinebench results favor Intel.

For system builders constrained to a particular platform, the socket choice is decisive. The AMD Opteron 3280 uses AMD Socket AM3+, while the Intel Core i5-3470S uses Intel Socket 1155. These are not interchangeable, so the motherboard ecosystem dictates which processor is viable. The AMD chip also offers ECC memory support as a feature available on certain motherboards, which may appeal to users seeking data integrity in home server or workstation builds, though the database does not record ECC as enabled by default.

The Intel part includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 2500), which the AMD Opteron 3280 does not offer as a built-in feature, relying instead on chipset-based graphics on certain motherboards. For users building a system without a discrete GPU, the Intel chip provides an out-of-box display solution, whereas the AMD processor requires either a compatible motherboard with integrated graphics or a separate graphics card.

Specification Differences

The core configurations diverge significantly. The AMD Opteron 3280 packs 8 cores and 8 threads, double the core count of the Intel Core i5-3470S, which has 4 cores and 4 threads. Clock speeds tell a different story: the Intel chip starts at 2.90 GHz base and boosts to 3.60 GHz, while the AMD part starts at 2.50 GHz and boosts to 3.50 GHz. The Intel processor thus has a higher base clock by 0.40 GHz and a marginally higher boost clock by 0.10 GHz.

Both processors carry a 65 W TDP, making them comparable in thermal design power. Memory support is DDR3 dual-channel for both, though the AMD Opteron 3280 records a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s while the Intel chip has no bandwidth figure recorded in the database. ECC memory is listed as false for both, though the AMD part's integrated graphics field notes "On certain motherboards (Chipset feature)" as a possible alternative.

PCIe generations differ: the AMD Opteron 3280 supports PCIe Gen 2, while the Intel Core i5-3470S supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes on the CPU. The Intel chip includes integrated graphics in the form of Intel HD 2500, whereas the AMD processor lists no dedicated integrated GPU.

Release dates are close: the AMD Opteron 3280 launched on 2012-03-19, and the Intel Core i5-3470S on 2012-05-31. The AMD part has a recorded launch MSRP of $229, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the Intel chip. The AMD processor is marked as end-of-life, while the Intel chip's production status is not recorded.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different architectural lineages. The AMD Opteron 3280 uses the K10 architecture under the codename Zurich, belonging to the Opteron (Zurich) generation. It is built on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries, with a transistor count of 1,200 million and a die size of 315 mm². The Intel Core i5-3470S uses the Ivy Bridge architecture under the same codename, belonging to the Core i5 (Ivy Bridge) generation. It is built on a 22 nm process at Intel, with a die size of 133 mm²; no transistor count is recorded for the Intel part.

The cache hierarchies differ in both organization and size. The AMD Opteron 3280 has 384 KB of L1 cache, 8 MB of L2 cache, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core i5-3470S has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. With four cores, the Intel chip's per-core L1 and L2 figures scale to approximately 256 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 total, which is substantially smaller than the AMD chip's aggregate cache. However, the Intel part's 22 nm process node gives it a manufacturing advantage in density and power efficiency, evident in its smaller die size.

The AMD Opteron 3280's larger die (315 mm² vs 133 mm²) and higher transistor count (1,200 million vs unrecorded) reflect a design targeting more cores and more cache, while Intel's Ivy Bridge architecture emphasizes clock-for-clock efficiency and per-core performance. The Intel chip's support for PCIe Gen 3, double the bandwidth of the AMD part's PCIe Gen 2, is another architectural differentiator that impacts GPU and storage throughput.

Both processors are built for desktop use, but their origins differ: the Opteron 3000 series carries AMD's server-branded naming, while the Core i5 series is a mainstream consumer line. The integrated graphics absence on the AMD part versus the Intel HD 2500 on the Intel chip further underscores their different positioning, even though both target the desktop segment. The database records neither processor as having an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking headroom is limited on both sides.