AMD Opteron 3350 HE vs Intel Core i7-3687U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a consistent, if narrow, victory for the AMD Opteron 3350 HE across every recorded test. The Intel Core i7-3687U does not win a single head-to-head comparison in the database. The Opteron wins all five Cinebench tests, with margins ranging from 2.2% to 3%.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Opteron scores 231 against the Core i7-3687U's 224, a 3% advantage. The R20 multicore test shows a similar pattern: 963 for AMD versus 937 for Intel, a 2.7% gap. The R23 multicore result repeats the trend, with the Opteron posting 2294 against 2231, again 2.7% ahead.

Single-core results are closer. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Opteron scores 135 versus 132 for the Intel part, a 2.2% edge. The R23 single-core test shows 323 versus 315, a 2.5% gap. These margins are small enough that they could be considered within run-to-run variation, but the direction is consistent: AMD leads in every single recorded benchmark.

The average benchmark score tells a similar story. The Opteron 3350 HE averages 789 across all tests, while the Core i7-3687U averages 773. That 16-point difference places both processors at the 21st percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning both sit in the lower-mid range of overall performance. The Opteron's closest rivals, the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 and QX9770, both score 789 and 790 respectively, with delta values of -0.1% against the AMD part. The Intel Core i7-3687U's nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-680 at 772, a 0.2% delta, and the Core i3-3250T and Celeron G5920 at 775, each with a -0.2% delta.

What the head-to-head numbers do not show is any test where the Core i7-3687U pulls ahead. The wins column is 0 for Intel and 5 for AMD. Even in single-core workloads, where the Intel architecture might be expected to excel given its higher boost clock and newer process node, the Opteron maintains its edge. The closest margin in the entire dataset is the 2.2% single-core R20 result, but it still favors AMD.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 3350 HE wins in every benchmark category recorded. This includes both multicore and single-core workloads, so the use-case split is straightforward: the Opteron is the stronger choice for Cinebench rendering tasks of any kind, whether they scale across threads or run on a single thread.

The Intel Core i7-3687U does not win any benchmark in the database. Its only advantage lies outside the recorded test suite. The data shows no scenario, among the tests that were run, where the Intel part comes out ahead. The closest it gets is the 2.2% single-core deficit, but it never closes the gap.

For users running Cinebench R15, R20, or R23, the Opteron delivers higher scores in every case. The multicore margins are all between 2.7% and 3%, while the single-core margins sit between 2.2% and 2.5%. The Opteron's higher core count, four versus two, likely contributes to the multicore results, but even single-core tests favor AMD, which suggests the higher base and boost clocks of the Opteron (2.80 GHz base, 3.80 GHz boost versus 2.10 GHz and 3.30 GHz for Intel) play a meaningful role.

The Opteron also shows a higher average benchmark score, 789 versus 773, which translates to a roughly 2% overall performance advantage. Both processors land at the 21st percentile, so neither is a high-flyer in the broader CPU landscape, but within this pairing, AMD holds every measured advantage.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The AMD Opteron 3350 HE wins with a score of 2294 against the Intel Core i7-3687U's 2231, a 2.7% advantage.

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-3687U faster in any benchmark?

A: No. The database shows zero wins for the Intel part across all five recorded Cinebench tests.

Q: How close are the two processors in single-core performance?

A: The Opteron leads by 2.2% in Cinebench R20 single-core (135 versus 132) and by 2.5% in R23 single-core (323 versus 315).

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The AMD Opteron 3350 HE averages 789, while the Intel Core i7-3687U averages 773.

Q: How do these processors compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The Opteron's closest rival is the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 at 789, a -0.1% delta. The Core i7-3687U's closest rival is the Intel Core i5-680 at 772, a 0.2% delta.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Opteron 3350 HE has 4 cores, while the Intel Core i7-3687U has 2 cores with 4 threads.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The Intel Core i7-3687U has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD Opteron 3350 HE has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Opteron has double the physical cores but the same thread count as the Intel part, since the Core i7-3687U uses Hyper-Threading.

Clock speeds favor AMD significantly. The Opteron runs at a 2.80 GHz base clock and boosts to 3.80 GHz. The Core i7-3687U runs at 2.10 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. That is a 0.70 GHz difference at base and 0.50 GHz at boost, both in favor of AMD.

Power consumption heavily favors Intel. The Core i7-3687U has a 17 W TDP, while the Opteron 3350 HE has a 45 W TDP. The Intel part uses less than half the power budget of the AMD part.

Sockets are incompatible. The Intel part uses Intel BGA 1023, while the Opteron uses AMD Socket AM3+.

Memory support is otherwise similar: both support DDR3 and use a dual-channel bus. The Opteron lists a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, while the Intel part has no recorded bandwidth figure. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

The Opteron lists PCIe Gen 2 support, while the Intel part has no PCIe generation recorded. Integrated graphics differ as well: the Intel part includes Intel HD 4000, while the Opteron relies on chipset features on certain motherboards.

The production status also differs. The Opteron is marked as end-of-life, while the Intel part has no production status recorded.

The Opteron has a launch MSRP of $125.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from completely different architectural lineages. The Intel Core i7-3687U is built on Ivy Bridge, a 22 nm process fabricated by Intel. The AMD Opteron 3350 HE uses the K10 architecture, codenamed Delhi, on a 32 nm process fabricated by GlobalFoundries. The Intel part is therefore on a more advanced process node, which helps explain its dramatically lower 17 W TDP despite the older architecture family.

The die sizes reflect the process and design differences. The Intel part has a die size of 118 mm², while the Opteron's die is 315 mm². The AMD chip also lists 1,200 million transistors, while the Intel part has no transistor count recorded. The larger die and higher transistor count on the Opteron are consistent with its four physical cores and larger cache pool.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The Intel Core i7-3687U has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Opteron has 192 KB L1 total, 4 MB L2, and 8 MB of shared L3. The Opteron offers double the L3 cache and a larger total L2, which may contribute to its benchmark lead despite the older architecture.

The market segments are distinct. The Intel part is a mobile processor, designed for laptops and ultrabooks. The Opteron is a server and workstation part. The release dates are close, with the Opteron released on December 3, 2012, and the Core i7-3687U on January 7, 2013, roughly one month apart.

Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel part belongs to the Core i7 generation on Ivy Bridge, while the Opteron belongs to the Opteron 3000 series with the Delhi codename.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear, if modest, winner: the AMD Opteron 3350 HE. It wins every benchmark in the database, with an average score of 789 against the Intel Core i7-3687U's 773. The margins are consistent, ranging from 2.2% to 3% across all five Cinebench tests, and there is no recorded test where the Intel part takes the lead.

Users who prioritize raw Cinebench performance should pick the Opteron. It delivers higher multicore and single-core scores across every version of the test, from R15 through R23. Its four physical cores and higher clock speeds give it a measurable edge that shows up in every workload recorded.

Users who prioritize power efficiency should pick the Intel Core i7-3687U. Its 17 W TDP is less than half of the Opteron's 45 W, which makes it the only sensible choice for mobile or thermally constrained systems. The Intel part also includes integrated graphics in the form of Intel HD 4000, whereas the Opteron requires chipset-based graphics on certain motherboards.

The Opteron's server and workstation heritage shows in its larger cache, with 8 MB of shared L3 versus Intel's 4 MB, and its higher 45 W power envelope. The Intel part's mobile heritage shows in its smaller die, lower power draw, and BGA socket. Neither processor ranks highly in the broader database, with both sitting at the 21st percentile, but within this pairing, the Opteron is the faster chip in every measured dimension.

The verdict depends entirely on the use case. For performance in Cinebench workloads, the Opteron wins all five tests. For power-constrained or mobile environments, the Core i7-3687U is the only realistic option given its 17 W TDP. The Opteron is also end-of-life, which may factor into availability considerations, but the recorded data shows no performance scenario where Intel comes out ahead.