AMD Opteron 3350 HE vs Intel Core i5-4210U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent, across-the-board advantage for the AMD Opteron 3350 HE in every shared Cinebench test. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Opteron scores 231 against 197 for the Core i5-4210U, a lead of 17.3%. That margin holds almost exactly through the newer Cinebench versions: R20 multicore shows 963 versus 824 (16.9% ahead), and R23 multicore shows 2294 versus 1962 (16.9% ahead). The pattern is not limited to multithreaded workloads. Single-core results also favor the AMD part, with a 16.4% advantage in Cinebench R20 singlecore (135 versus 116) and a 16.6% edge in R23 singlecore (323 versus 277). No benchmark in the head-to-head list goes the way of the Intel processor.

The overall average benchmark scores are effectively tied, which puts the individual wins into context. The Opteron 3350 HE averages 789, while the Core i5-4210U averages 788. The delta between them is only 0.1% in the AMD part’s favor. This near-parity in aggregate scoring, despite the Opteron winning every shared test, is explained by the Intel chip having additional benchmark results in the database. Geekbench multicore and Geekbench singlecore results for the i5-4210U are recorded at 1395 and 745 respectively, and these pull its average up. The Opteron has no Geekbench entries in the database, so its average is derived solely from the five Cinebench scores.

The nearest-rival data reinforces how close these two processors are in overall standing. For the Opteron, the Core i5-4210U appears as a nearest rival with an average score of 788 and a delta of 0.1%. For the Core i5, the Opteron appears with an average of 789 and a delta of -0.2%. Both CPUs sit at the 21st percentile among all CPUs in the database. The other nearest rivals are the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 and QX9770, which score 789 and 790 respectively, all within a 0.3% band. The practical takeaway from the head-to-head data is that the Opteron 3350 HE is consistently faster in Cinebench rendering workloads, but the overall database average puts the two at the same performance tier.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies and market targets. The AMD Opteron 3350 HE is built on the K10 architecture with the Delhi codename, part of the Opteron 3000 series. It uses a 32 nm process from GlobalFoundries, with a die size of 315 mm² and 1,200 million transistors. The Intel Core i5-4210U uses the Haswell architecture, also named Haswell as its codename, fabricated on Intel’s 22 nm process. Its die is substantially smaller at 118 mm² but packs more transistors, 1,400 million, a reflection of the denser process node and integrated graphics.

Core counts differ significantly. The Opteron has 4 physical cores with 4 threads, so no hyperthreading-style overlap. The Core i5 has 2 physical cores with 4 threads, relying on Intel’s simultaneous multithreading to reach the same thread count. Clock speeds also favor the AMD chip on paper: the Opteron has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, while the Core i5 runs at a 1700.00 MHz base and 2.70 GHz boost. The Opteron’s higher clocks explain much of its Cinebench advantage despite the architectural generational gap.

Cache hierarchies are laid out differently. The Opteron has a 192 KB L1 cache, a 4 MB L2 cache, and an 8 MB shared L3 cache. The Core i5 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a 3 MB shared L3 cache. For a dual-core part, the per-core L2 allocation is substantial, but the total L3 is far smaller than the Opteron’s 8 MB shared pool. Memory support is DDR3 for both, with the Opteron using a dual-channel memory bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. The Core i5 entry in the database does not list a memory bus or bandwidth figure.

The power envelope is a major differentiator. The Opteron 3350 HE has a TDP of 45 watts, fitting the "HE" low-power server designation. The Core i5-4210U is rated at 15 watts, a mobile-class part designed for thin laptops. The socket situation reflects this split: the Opteron uses AMD Socket AM3+, a desktop/server platform socket, while the Core i5 is soldered to Intel BGA 1168, a mobile ball-grid-array package. The Opteron’s integrated graphics, if present, come from the chipset on certain motherboards, whereas the Core i5 includes Intel HD 4400 graphics on the processor itself. Neither chip supports ECC memory according to the database, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 3350 HE wins every Cinebench test recorded for both chips. That includes single-core and multi-core variants of R15, R20, and R23. The margins are consistent, between 16.4% and 17.3%, which suggests the advantage is systemic rather than workload-specific within the Cinebench suite. The Opteron’s higher base and boost clocks, plus its extra two physical cores, give it a clear edge in rendering workloads that scale with thread count and also in lightly threaded tests where its clock speed advantage matters. For a server or workstation part, the 45-watt TDP and AM3+ socket make it a plausible choice for small-scale server builds where multi-threaded throughput is the priority and power consumption is secondary to performance.

The Intel Core i5-4210U wins in areas that the head-to-head benchmarks do not capture. Its only recorded wins in the database are the Geekbench multicore score of 1395 and Geekbench singlecore score of 745, tests that the Opteron has no data for. The 15-watt TDP makes it the clear choice for battery-powered mobile systems where thermal and power budgets are tight. The integrated Intel HD 4400 graphics mean no separate GPU is required for basic display output, which is essential for ultrabook-style designs. The smaller 118 mm² die and 22 nm process also suggest lower manufacturing cost per chip, though the database does not include pricing for the Intel part.

The use-case split is therefore straightforward: the Opteron is the better performer in CPU-bound compute tasks, especially those using the Cinebench engine, while the Core i5 wins on efficiency and integration for mobile computing. The Opteron’s 45-watt TDP is still modest for a server chip, but it is three times the Core i5’s 15-watt rating. The Opteron’s production status is end-of-life, while the Core i5’s production status is not recorded in the database, leaving its availability an open question.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench multicore tests?

A: The AMD Opteron 3350 HE wins all three multicore Cinebench tests. It scores 231 in R15, 963 in R20, and 2294 in R23, versus 197, 824, and 1962 for the Intel Core i5-4210U. The margins are 17.3%, 16.9%, and 16.9% respectively.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-4210U win any shared benchmark?

A: No. In the five head-to-head benchmarks recorded, the Core i5-4210U loses every one. Its only wins in the database are Geekbench multicore and singlecore, tests that the Opteron does not have results for.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Opteron 3350 HE averages 789, and the Core i5-4210U averages 788, a 0.1% difference. Both processors sit at the 21st percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Opteron has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Core i5 has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Intel chip uses four threads on two physical cores, while the AMD chip runs one thread per core.

Q: How do the power requirements differ?

A: The Opteron 3350 HE has a TDP of 45 watts. The Core i5-4210U has a TDP of 15 watts, making it far better suited to battery-powered mobile devices.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Opteron boosts to 3.80 GHz. The Core i5 boosts to 2.70 GHz. The Opteron also has a higher base clock at 2.80 GHz versus 1700.00 MHz for the Intel part.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. The Opteron 3350 HE has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Core i5-4210U has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 2.80 GHz for the AMD chip and 1700.00 MHz for the Intel chip. Boost clocks are 3.80 GHz and 2.70 GHz respectively. TDP ratings are 45 watts versus 15 watts.

The socket and package are entirely different: AMD Socket AM3+ for the Opteron, Intel BGA 1168 for the Core i5. The Opteron uses the K10 architecture on a 32 nm GlobalFoundries process with a 315 mm² die and 1,200 million transistors. The Core i5 uses Haswell on Intel’s 22 nm process with a 118 mm² die and 1,400 million transistors. Cache configurations differ: the Opteron has 192 KB L1, 4 MB L2, and 8 MB shared L3; the Core i5 has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 3 MB shared L3.

Memory support is DDR3 for both, but the Opteron lists a dual-channel bus and 29.9 GB/s bandwidth, while the Core i5 entry does not record a memory bus or bandwidth. The Opteron has no integrated graphics of its own, with chipset-based graphics on certain motherboards, while the Core i5 includes Intel HD 4400. Neither supports ECC memory. The Opteron has a recorded launch MSRP of $125, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the Core i5. The Opteron’s production status is end-of-life; the Core i5’s is not recorded. Part numbers are OS3350HOW4KHK for the Opteron and SR1EF for the Core i5. The Opteron was released in December 2012, the Core i5 in April 2014.