AMD Opteron 3280 vs Intel Pentium 6805 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data delivers a decisive outcome in this comparison. Across every Cinebench generation tested, the Intel Pentium 6805 claims the win over the AMD Opteron 3280. The pattern is consistent: the Pentium outperforms the Opteron by roughly 15% in both single-core and multi-core workloads.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Pentium 6805 scores 383 against the Opteron's 324, a delta of -15.4% from the Opteron's perspective. That same 15.4% gap repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Pentium posts 1596 versus 1350. The single-core results are equally lopsided: R20 single-core shows the Pentium at 225 versus 190, a 15.6% advantage, while R23 single-core has the Pentium at 536 versus 453, a 15.5% edge.

The R23 multi-core test, often the most demanding of the suite, tells the same story. The Pentium 6805 finishes with 3801 points, while the Opteron 3280 manages 3215, another 15.4% gap. Notably, the Pentium achieves these results with only 2 cores and 4 threads, while the Opteron brings 8 cores and 8 threads to the table. The architectural efficiency of the Ice Lake-Y design in the Pentium overcomes the Opteron's core-count advantage in every benchmark recorded.

The average benchmark scores confirm the proximity of these two processors in the broader database. The Opteron 3280 holds an average score of 1106, while the Pentium 6805 sits at 1099, a difference of less than 1%. Both processors land at the 31st percentile among all CPUs tracked, meaning they occupy a similar tier of overall performance despite their different designs. The head-to-head results, however, show a clear and repeatable margin for the Intel part in every single test.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Pentium 6805 wins in all five recorded benchmark scenarios. That includes both generations of multi-core tests (R15, R20, R23) and both generations of single-core tests (R20, R23). There is no benchmark category in the database where the AMD Opteron 3280 takes the lead. This is a clean sweep for the Pentium, with no caveats or mixed results.

For users who prioritize single-threaded responsiveness, the Pentium's 15.6% lead in R20 single-core and 15.5% lead in R23 single-core indicates a meaningful advantage in lightly threaded applications. For users who need multi-core throughput, the Pentium's 15.4% margin across all three multi-core tests shows that its 2-core, 4-thread configuration is sufficient to outpace the Opteron's 8-core, 8-thread design in these specific workloads.

The Opteron 3280, despite its larger core count, does not win in any measured metric. Its higher base clock of 2.50 GHz and boost clock of 3.50 GHz, compared to the Pentium's 1.10 GHz base and 3.00 GHz boost, are not enough to overcome the Pentium's newer microarchitecture. The Pentium's 10 nm process node versus the Opteron's 32 nm node is likely a major factor, as is the Pentium's Ice Lake architecture with its per-core cache design.

The Verdict

The data points to a single conclusion: the Intel Pentium 6805 is the superior processor in every benchmark recorded in the database. It wins all five head-to-head tests, with margins ranging from 15.4% to 15.6%. The Pentium's 2-core, 4-thread configuration delivers higher scores than the Opteron's 8-core, 8-thread setup across the board, which indicates that architectural efficiency matters more than raw core counts in these Cinebench workloads.

For a user choosing between these two, the Pentium 6805 is the clear pick based on performance alone. It also comes with a lower launch MSRP of $161, compared to the Opteron's $229, making it the more attractive option in that regard as well. The Pentium's mobile segment positioning and 15 W TDP, versus the Opteron's 65 W TDP, further reinforce its suitability for power-conscious systems.

The Opteron 3280, meanwhile, offers no benchmark advantage. Its 8 cores and 8 threads might suggest an edge in heavily threaded applications, but the recorded data does not support that assumption. In the tests available, the Pentium consistently outperforms it. The Opteron's nearest rivals in the database, such as the AMD Athlon X4 845 with an identical average score of 1106, show that it performs at a similar level to other older AMD parts, but it cannot match the Pentium's per-core efficiency.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core benchmarks?

A: The Intel Pentium 6805 wins in all three multi-core tests. In Cinebench R15, it scores 383 versus 324 for the AMD Opteron 3280. In R20, it scores 1596 versus 1350. In R23, it scores 3801 versus 3215.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The Pentium 6805 wins both single-core tests. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 225 versus 190 for the Opteron. In R23 single-core, it scores 536 versus 453.

Q: What are the core counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Opteron 3280 has 8 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Pentium 6805 has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Opteron 3280 has an average benchmark score of 1106, while the Pentium 6805 has an average of 1099. Both sit at the 31st percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: What are the launch MSRP values?

A: The AMD Opteron 3280 has a launch MSRP of $229. The Intel Pentium 6805 has a launch MSRP of $161.

Q: Which processor has the lower power draw?

A: The Intel Pentium 6805 has a TDP of 15 W. The AMD Opteron 3280 has a TDP of 65 W.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies and eras. The AMD Opteron 3280 is built on the K10 architecture with the Zurich codename, part of the Opteron 3000 series. It uses a 32 nm process node fabricated by GlobalFoundries, with a die size of 315 mm² and 1,200 million transistors. The Pentium 6805, by contrast, uses Intel's Ice Lake architecture with the Ice Lake-Y codename and Sunny Cove-Y cores, built on a 10 nm process from Intel's own foundry, with a die size of 123 mm².

Cache configurations differ substantially. The Opteron 3280 offers 384 KB of L1 cache, 8 MB of L2 cache, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Pentium 6805 provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Opteron's larger aggregate cache does not translate into benchmark wins, highlighting the efficiency of the Pentium's per-core cache hierarchy.

Memory support also diverges. The Opteron 3280 uses DDR3 memory with dual-channel support and a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. The Pentium 6805 uses DDR4 memory with dual-channel support and a higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. Neither processor supports ECC memory. In terms of PCIe, the Opteron offers Gen 2, while the Pentium provides Gen 3.

The socket and form factor differences are notable. The Opteron 3280 fits AMD Socket AM3+ and targets the desktop market segment. The Pentium 6805 uses Intel BGA 1526 and targets the mobile segment. The Opteron has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.50 GHz, while the Pentium has a base clock of 1.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.00 GHz. Despite the Opteron's higher clock speeds, the Pentium's architectural advantages in instruction efficiency and memory bandwidth prove decisive in the recorded benchmarks.

Integrated graphics also differentiate the pair. The Opteron 3280 relies on a chipset feature for graphics on certain motherboards, while the Pentium 6805 includes UHD Graphics with 32 execution units. The release dates are separated by over eight years: the Opteron launched in March 2012, and the Pentium launched in September 2020. Both are now end-of-life products, with neither offering an unlocked multiplier.