AMD Opteron 3350 HE vs Intel Core i3-3250T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent, if narrow, advantage for the AMD Opteron 3350 HE across every Cinebench workload in the comparison. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Opteron scores 231 against 226 for the Intel Core i3-3250T, a delta of 2.2%. That margin narrows slightly in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the Opteron posts 963 versus 945, a 1.9% lead. The same 1.9% gap appears in Cinebench R23 multicore, with scores of 2294 and 2252.

Single-threaded performance tells a similar story. The Opteron leads in Cinebench R20 single-core by 1.5%, scoring 135 against 133. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the margin is 1.6%, with 323 against 318. Across all five head-to-head benchmarks, the AMD part wins every test, though the largest single win is only 2.2%. This is not a dominant sweep; it is a pattern of small but repeatable leads.

The average benchmark scores reinforce the overall picture. The Opteron 3350 HE holds an average score of 789, while the Core i3-3250T sits at 775. That places the Opteron 1.8% higher in aggregate, which aligns with the individual Cinebench deltas. Both processors land at the 21st percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy essentially the same performance tier despite the Opteron's consistent edge.

The nearest rival data adds context. The Opteron's closest competitors include the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 at an average score of 789, a 0.1% deficit, and the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 at 790, also 0.1% away. The Intel Core i5-4210U and Core i5-3610ME trail by 0.1% and 0.2% respectively. For the Core i3-3250T, the nearest rivals are the Intel Celeron G5920 at 775 (0% delta), the Pentium Silver J5005 at 776 (0.1% ahead), the AMD Athlon X4 760K at 777 (0.2% ahead), and the Core i7-3687U at 773 (0.3% behind). Both chips sit in a crowded field where fractions of a percent separate adjacent entries.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural families and are built for different market segments. The AMD Opteron 3350 HE uses the K10 architecture, code-named Delhi, and belongs to the Opteron 3000 series, a server and workstation line. It is built on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries, with 1,200 million transistors on a 315 mm² die. The Intel Core i3-3250T uses the Ivy Bridge architecture, also code-named Ivy Bridge, and targets desktop systems. It is built on a 22 nm process at Intel, with a 94 mm² die. The node difference is significant: Intel's 22 nm process allows the Core i3 to pack its transistors into a much smaller area.

Core and cache configurations differ sharply. The Opteron provides 4 physical cores with 4 threads, while the Core i3 provides 2 physical cores with 4 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading. The Opteron's cache hierarchy includes 192 KB of L1, 4 MB of L2, and 8 MB of shared L3. The Core i3 counters with 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 3 MB of shared L3. The Opteron's larger L3 cache, 8 MB versus 3 MB, gives it a substantial cache capacity advantage, which likely contributes to its multicore results.

Clock speeds tell a different story. The Opteron has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The Core i3 has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and no boost clock, meaning it operates at a fixed frequency. Despite the Core i3's higher base clock, the Opteron's boost capability reaches well beyond it, which helps explain the Opteron's single-core wins. The Opteron also has a 45 W TDP, while the Core i3 is rated at 35 W. The Core i3 is therefore the more power-efficient part on paper, though both are low-power designs compared to their respective families.

Memory support is similar in type but differs in bandwidth. Both support DDR3 and dual-channel memory. The Opteron lists 29.9 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the Core i3 lists 25.6 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory according to the database. PCIe generations differ: the Opteron uses Gen 2, while the Core i3 uses Gen 3 with 16 lanes on the CPU. Integrated graphics also differ. The Core i3 includes Intel HD 2500, while the Opteron relies on chipset-based graphics on certain motherboards, meaning it has no integrated GPU of its own.

Where Each One Wins

The Opteron 3350 HE wins every recorded benchmark, so the use-case split is not about which chip wins specific tests but rather about the magnitude and nature of those wins. In multicore workloads, the Opteron's advantage comes from having 4 physical cores against the Core i3's 2 physical cores. The Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore results all favor the Opteron by roughly 2%, a modest margin given the core count difference. The Opteron's larger 8 MB shared L3 cache likely helps keep more working data on-chip in threaded workloads.

In single-core workloads, the Opteron also leads, but by a slightly smaller margin. The Cinebench R20 single-core result shows a 1.5% lead, and Cinebench R23 single-core shows 1.6%. The Core i3's higher base clock of 3.00 GHz is not enough to overcome the Opteron's boost clock of 3.80 GHz in these tests. For applications that rely on a single thread, the Opteron holds a narrow but real edge.

The Core i3-3250T wins on efficiency and platform characteristics. Its 35 W TDP is 10 W lower than the Opteron's 45 W TDP. It also includes integrated graphics, which the Opteron lacks entirely. For a desktop system that needs a GPU without a discrete card, the Core i3 is the functional choice. The Opteron's server and workstation segment means it expects a discrete GPU or a motherboard with chipset graphics. The Core i3 also uses PCIe Gen 3, which offers more bandwidth for expansion cards than the Opteron's Gen 2.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Opteron 3350 HE outperforms the Intel Core i3-3250T in every recorded Cinebench test. The largest margin is 2.2% in Cinebench R15 multicore, and the smallest is 1.5% in Cinebench R20 single-core. The Opteron's average benchmark score of 789 versus 775 confirms that the lead is consistent across the measured workloads. A user prioritizing raw CPU performance in Cinebench-class workloads should pick the Opteron.

However, the Core i3-3250T has its own strengths in the data. It draws less power, 35 W versus 45 W, and it includes integrated graphics. For a compact desktop build where power draw and onboard video matter more than a 2% performance delta, the Core i3 is the better fit. The Opteron's lack of integrated graphics means it cannot run without a discrete GPU or a special motherboard, which narrows its practical use cases.

The Opteron also carries a launch MSRP of $125, which the database records. The Core i3 has no recorded launch MSRP. The Opteron targets server and workstation buyers, while the Core i3 targets desktop users. Both are end-of-life products, so availability depends on existing stock or the used market. The data supports the Opteron for pure performance, the Core i3 for efficiency and integrated graphics, and neither for modern high-end workloads given their shared 21st percentile standing.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multicore score in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Opteron 3350 HE scores 2294, while the Intel Core i3-3250T scores 2252, a 1.9% difference in favor of the Opteron.

Q: How do the two chips compare in single-core performance?

A: The Opteron leads in both recorded single-core tests. It scores 135 versus 133 in Cinebench R20 single-core, and 323 versus 318 in Cinebench R23 single-core.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Opteron 3350 HE has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Core i3-3250T has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: No. The database lists ECC memory as false for both the AMD Opteron 3350 HE and the Intel Core i3-3250T.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i3-3250T includes Intel HD 2500. The AMD Opteron 3350 HE relies on chipset features on certain motherboards and has no integrated GPU of its own.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Opteron has an average benchmark score of 789, and the Core i3 has an average of 775. Both sit at the 21st percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Opteron 3350 HE | Intel Core i3-3250T |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.80 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | None |

| TDP | 45 W | 35 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM3+ | Intel Socket 1155 |

| Architecture | K10 | Ivy Bridge |

| Codename | Delhi | Ivy Bridge |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 22 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Die Size | 315 mm² | 94 mm² |

| Transistors | 1,200 million | Not recorded |

| L1 Cache | 192 KB | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 4 MB | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 3 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 29.9 GB/s | 25.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 2 | Gen 3, 16 lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | On certain motherboards (chipset feature) | Intel HD 2500 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2012-12-03 | 2013-06-08 |

| Launch MSRP | $125 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | OS3350HOW4KHK | SR0YW |