AMD Opteron 3280 vs Intel Core i7-5557U Comparison

The Intel Core i7-5557U and the AMD Opteron 3280 are two very different processors from different eras and market segments, yet they end up in a similar performance class in the benchmark database. The data shows a surprisingly consistent outcome: the AMD Opteron 3280 wins every head-to-head benchmark in this comparison, while the Intel chip holds its own in overall average scores due to its single-threaded and Geekbench results. This comparison pits a low-power mobile dual-core from 2015 against an eight-core server-oriented desktop part from 2012, and the results show that core count can be a decisive factor in modern multi-threaded workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the data is the uniformity of the AMD Opteron 3280's victories. Across all five Cinebench tests, the AMD part wins with a deltaPct of approximately -16.6% to -16.8% relative to the Intel chip. This means the Opteron consistently outperforms the i7-5557U by a margin of roughly one-sixth in every Cinebench workload, whether single-core or multi-core.

Looking at the multi-core results, the gap is clear. In Cinebench R15, the Opteron scores 324 against the Intel's 270, a difference of 54 points. That lead expands in Cinebench R20, where the Opteron hits 1350 versus 1126. The pattern continues in Cinebench R23, with the AMD part scoring 3215 and the Intel chip trailing at 2682. In each of these cases, the AMD processor is about 16.6% to 16.7% faster, a significant margin that suggests the eight-core Opteron simply has more raw throughput to offer in threaded rendering tasks.

What is more surprising is that the Opteron also wins the single-core tests, where the Intel chip's higher base clock and newer architecture might be expected to give it an edge. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Opteron scores 190 against the Intel's 158, a 16.8% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Opteron scores 453 versus 378, again a 16.6% lead. This is not a case of the Intel chip winning on lightly-threaded work and losing on heavy multi-threading; the AMD part is simply faster across the board in Cinebench.

However, the Intel i7-5557U does have a counterpoint in the Geekbench tests, which are not part of the head-to-head set but are present in the individual benchmark data. The Intel chip scores 1060 in Geekbench single-core and 2099 in Geekbench multi-core. The Opteron has no Geekbench scores listed in the FACT PACK, so this comparison cannot be made directly. Still, the Intel chip's average benchmark score of 1110 is nearly identical to the Opteron's 1106, indicating that when all available benchmarks are averaged, the two processors are effectively neck-and-neck. This is reflected in their identical 31st percentile ranking among all CPUs.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD Opteron 3280 wins all 5 head-to-head benchmark comparisons listed. The Intel Core i7-5557U wins 0.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Opteron 3280 scores 3215, while the Intel Core i7-5557U scores 2682. The Opteron leads by 16.6%.

Q: Does the Intel chip win any single-core tests?

A: No. The AMD Opteron 3280 wins both single-core tests, with a 16.8% lead in Cinebench R20 single-core (190 vs 158) and a 16.6% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core (453 vs 378).

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i7-5557U has an average benchmark score of 1110, while the AMD Opteron 3280 has an average of 1106. The difference is 0.4%, which is negligible.

Q: Are both processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both are in the 31st percentile of all CPUs. The Intel chip's nearest rival is the Intel Xeon E5630 with a deltaPct of 0, while the Opteron's nearest rival is the AMD Athlon X4 845 with a deltaPct of 0.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Opteron 3280 has a boost clock of 3.50 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-5557U has a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. However, the Intel chip has a higher base clock at 3.10 GHz versus 2.50 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures from different manufacturing generations. The Intel Core i7-5557U uses the Broadwell-U architecture, built on a 14 nm process node by Intel. It packs 1,900 million transistors into a 133 mm² die. This is a modern, dense design that emphasizes power efficiency for mobile use.

In contrast, the AMD Opteron 3280 uses the K10 architecture with the Zurich codename, built on a 32 nm process by GlobalFoundries. It contains 1,200 million transistors spread across a much larger 315 mm² die. The K10 architecture is older and less efficient per core, but the Opteron compensates with a higher core count.

The cache configurations highlight their different design philosophies. The Intel chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. This is a per-core allocation that suits a dual-core design. The AMD chip has 384 KB of L1 cache, 8 MB of L2 cache, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD's larger L2 and L3 caches are shared across its eight cores, providing a larger total cache pool for multi-threaded workloads.

Both processors support DDR3 memory with dual-channel memory buses and identical memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory. The Intel chip has integrated Iris 6100 graphics, while the AMD chip relies on "On certain motherboards (Chipset feature)" for graphics, meaning it does not have integrated graphics on the CPU itself.

The PCIe support also differs: the Intel chip uses Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD chip uses Gen 2 with no lane count specified. The Intel chip is a mobile part on Intel BGA 1168 socket, while the AMD chip is a desktop part on AMD Socket AM3+.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets reveal several clear differences between these two processors. The most obvious is core count: the Intel Core i7-5557U has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD Opteron 3280 has 8 cores and 8 threads. This 4x difference in core count is the primary driver of the AMD's multi-core performance advantage.

Clock speeds tell a mixed story. The Intel chip has a higher base clock at 3.10 GHz, but the AMD chip has a higher boost clock at 3.50 GHz. The Intel chip's boost clock is 3.40 GHz. Power consumption is heavily skewed: the Intel chip has a TDP of 28 watts, while the AMD chip has a TDP of 65 watts. That is more than double the power draw for the AMD part, reflecting its older process and higher core count.

The process nodes are generations apart: 14 nm for Intel versus 32 nm for AMD. This explains the transistor density difference, with Intel fitting 1,900 million transistors into 133 mm², while AMD spreads 1,200 million across 315 mm². The Intel chip's launch MSRP was $426, while the AMD chip's launch MSRP was $229.

Other differences include the release dates: the Intel chip was released on 2015-02-28, while the AMD chip was released on 2012-03-19. Both are end-of-life products with no unlocked multiplier. Their part numbers are SR26E for Intel and OS3280OLW8KGU for AMD. The Intel chip's market segment is Mobile, while the AMD chip's is Desktop.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Opteron 3280 wins every head-to-head Cinebench test by roughly 16.6% to 16.8%. If your workload is built around Cinebench-style rendering, the Opteron is the clear choice. It delivers consistently higher scores in both single-core and multi-core tests, which is unusual given the Intel chip's newer architecture and higher base clock.

However, the overall average benchmark scores tell a different story. The Intel Core i7-5557U has an average score of 1110, while the AMD Opteron 3280 has an average of 1106. This near-identical average, combined with the same 31st percentile ranking, suggests that in a broader set of applications, the two processors perform at a similar level. The Intel chip's Geekbench scores of 1060 single-core and 2099 multi-core indicate strengths outside of Cinebench.

The choice depends on your specific workload. If you need maximum rendering throughput in Cinebench, choose the AMD Opteron 3280. If you need a lower-power mobile chip with integrated graphics and newer features, the Intel Core i7-5557U has merits, but the data shows it loses in the tested benchmarks. The Intel chip's 28W TDP versus the AMD's 65W TDP is a significant practical difference for cooling and battery life in mobile scenarios.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 3280 wins in all five Cinebench benchmarks, covering both multi-core and single-core tests. Its 8 cores and 8 threads provide a substantial advantage in threaded rendering workloads, as evidenced by its 16.6% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The Opteron also wins single-core tests, indicating that its higher boost clock of 3.50 GHz helps it overcome the Intel chip's architectural advantages.

The Intel Core i7-5557U does not win any head-to-head benchmark, but it has strengths that are not captured in those tests. Its Geekbench single-core score of 1060 and multi-core score of 2099 suggest respectable performance in general-purpose computing tasks. The Intel chip also has integrated Iris 6100 graphics, making it a more complete package for a mobile system without a discrete GPU.

In terms of efficiency, the Intel chip's 28W TDP is a major advantage over the AMD's 65W TDP. This makes the Intel chip suitable for thin-and-light laptops where power draw and heat dissipation are critical. The AMD chip, with its higher power draw and desktop socket, is better suited to a desktop tower where cooling and power are less constrained.

The release dates also matter: the Intel chip is from 2015, while the AMD chip is from 2012. If you need modern platform features or lower power consumption, the Intel chip is the newer design. If you need raw multi-threaded performance in Cinebench and have a desktop platform that can handle 65W, the AMD Opteron 3280 is the winner based on the data.