CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i3-4170T and AMD Opteron 3380 are both end-of-life desktop and server processors, respectively, that land nearly identically in aggregate performance metrics. Data shows the Opteron 3380 holds a commanding lead across every shared benchmark, while the Core i3-4170T counters with superior power efficiency and a more modern feature set. Their average benchmark scores are virtually inseparable, 1072 for the Intel part and 1071 for the AMD chip, placing them in the 30th and 29th percentiles of all CPUs, respectively. However, this near-parity in overall averages masks a lopsided head-to-head record, where the Opteron wins all five comparative tests by margins of roughly 28 percent.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Opteron 3380 dominates the Intel Core i3-4170T in every single benchmark they share, with the gap consistently hovering around 28 percent. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Opteron scores 373 against the Core i3's 268, a delta of -28.2 percent favoring AMD. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Opteron's 1555 eclipses the Intel chip's 1120, a 28 percent advantage. The R23 multi-core test tells the same story: 3704 for the Opteron versus 2667 for the Core i3, again a 28 percent differential.

Single-core performance also favors AMD, which is notable given the Intel part's higher base clock. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Opteron scores 219 against the Core i3's 157, a 28.3 percent lead. The R23 single-core test shows 522 for AMD versus 376 for Intel, a 28 percent margin. These results indicate that the Opteron's advantage is not merely a matter of core count scaling in multi-threaded workloads; it also wins in tasks that rely primarily on a single thread. The data shows zero wins for the Intel Core i3-4170T across the five shared benchmarks, while the Opteron 3380 sweeps all five.

The magnitude of these wins is consistent and substantial, suggesting a fundamental performance gap rather than workload-specific quirks. For context, the nearest rivals to the Core i3-4170T, the Intel Core i5-5287U and AMD Athlon X4 880K, have average scores of 1072 and 1071, respectively, with deltas of 0 and 0.1 percent. The Opteron 3380 itself sits at 1071, a 0.1 percent delta from the Core i3. This means that despite the 28 percent margins in individual benchmarks, the overall average scores converge because the Opteron's benchmark suite includes fewer tests and different weightings. The head-to-head data, however, is unambiguous about the winner in direct competition.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 3380 is the clear winner in raw computational throughput, taking every Cinebench test from R15 through R23, in both single-core and multi-core variants. Its 8 cores and 8 threads provide a structural advantage over the Intel Core i3-4170T's 2 cores and 4 threads, which manifests in consistent 28 percent leads. The Opteron's boost clock of 3.60 GHz, despite a lower base clock of 2.60 GHz, appears to help it outperform the Intel chip's fixed 3.20 GHz clock in single-threaded tasks as well. For users running heavily threaded workloads, rendering, encoding, or server-side processing, the Opteron's benchmark wins make it the only choice between the two.

The Intel Core i3-4170T wins on efficiency and platform modernity, even though it loses every benchmark. Its 35-watt TDP is nearly half the Opteron's 65-watt TDP, making it a far more attractive option for compact or thermally constrained systems. The Core i3 also uses a 22 nm process node versus the Opteron's 32 nm, and it comes with integrated Intel HD 4400 graphics, whereas the Opteron relies on chipset-provided graphics on certain motherboards. The Intel part's PCIe Gen 3 support with 16 lanes (CPU only) is a generation ahead of the Opteron's PCIe Gen 2. These features do not show up in Cinebench scores but matter for real-world system design.

Neither processor offers ECC memory support, and both are limited to dual-channel DDR3. The Opteron does have a wider memory bandwidth advantage at 29.9 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s for the Core i3, which may contribute to its multi-core lead. The Intel chip has a smaller die at 177 mm² versus the Opteron's 315 mm², but packs more transistors (1,400 million versus 1,200 million), reflecting the denser 22 nm process. In terms of cache, the Opteron offers 8 MB L2 and 8 MB shared L3, while the Core i3 has 256 KB L2 per core and 3 MB shared L3, indicating the AMD part is better equipped for large working sets.

The Verdict

The data is decisive: choose the AMD Opteron 3380 for any workload where raw performance matters. It wins all five head-to-head benchmarks by roughly 28 percent, covering both single-threaded and multi-threaded Cinebench tests. Its 8 cores versus the Core i3's 2 cores, combined with a higher boost clock and larger cache pool, make it the superior compute engine in every measured scenario. The Opteron's launch MSRP was $229, though this is a historical figure with no bearing on current availability given both parts are end-of-life.

Choose the Intel Core i3-4170T only if system-level constraints override raw performance. Its 35-watt TDP is a major advantage for low-power builds, and its integrated graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems. The 22 nm process node and PCIe Gen 3 support indicate a more modern platform, even if the CPU itself is older in release date (March 2015 versus December 2012 for the Opteron). For users who prioritize a smaller footprint, lower heat output, or a more feature-rich motherboard ecosystem, the Core i3 is defensible despite its benchmark deficits.

The average benchmark scores suggest these CPUs are equivalent, 1072 versus 1071, but that is an artifact of different test suites. In direct comparison, the Opteron 3380 is the clear winner, with the Core i3-4170T never coming within 28 percent in any shared test. There is no scenario in the data where the Intel part outruns the AMD chip on compute. The verdict is straightforward: the Opteron for performance, the Core i3 for efficiency and platform features, with no middle ground evident from the benchmark results.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins in multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Opteron 3380 wins decisively, scoring 373 in Cinebench R15, 1555 in R20, and 3704 in R23 multi-core, versus the Intel Core i3-4170T's 268, 1120, and 2667 respectively, all about 28 percent ahead.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-4170T win any shared benchmark?

A: No. The data shows the Opteron 3380 wins all five head-to-head tests, with the Core i3-4170T recording zero wins across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both multi-core and single-core modes.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: They are nearly identical: the Intel Core i3-4170T has an average benchmark score of 1072, and the AMD Opteron 3380 scores 1071, a difference of 0.1 percent. Their percentile rankings are 30th and 29th, respectively.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The Intel Core i3-4170T has a TDP of 35 watts, while the AMD Opteron 3380 has a TDP of 65 watts, making the Intel part nearly twice as power-efficient on paper.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: No. Both the Intel Core i3-4170T and the AMD Opteron 3380 have ECC memory support listed as false, despite the Opteron's server/workstation market segment.

Q: Which CPU has a higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i3-4170T has a base clock of 3.20 GHz, which is higher than the AMD Opteron 3380's 2.60 GHz base clock. However, the Opteron has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, while the Intel part has no boost capability.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i3-4170T is built on the Haswell architecture using a 22 nm process node, with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. It features 2 cores and 4 threads with Hyper-Threading, a base clock of 3.20 GHz and no boost clock. Its cache hierarchy includes 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 3 MB shared L3. The memory interface is dual-channel DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, and it does not support ECC memory. The integrated Intel HD 4400 GPU is included on the die, and the CPU provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. It uses the Intel Socket 1150 and was released in March 2015.

The AMD Opteron 3380 belongs to the Opteron 3000 series and uses the K10 architecture on the Delhi codename, fabricated on a 32 nm process with 1,200 million transistors on a 315 mm² die. It has 8 cores and 8 threads with no SMT, a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. Its cache configuration is notably larger: 384 KB L1, 8 MB L2, and 8 MB shared L3. The memory support is also dual-channel DDR3 but with higher bandwidth at 29.9 GB/s, and ECC is not supported. Integrated graphics are not on the CPU; they are a chipset feature on certain motherboards. It uses AMD Socket AM3+ and PCIe Gen 2, and was released in December 2012.

The most significant architectural difference is core count and thread handling. The Opteron's 8 physical cores provide a raw throughput advantage in multi-threaded workloads, while the Core i3's 4 threads from 2 cores with Hyper-Threading aim to improve responsiveness in lighter tasks. The process node difference, 22 nm versus 32 nm, explains the Intel part's lower TDP and smaller die size despite higher transistor count. The L3 cache disparity (3 MB versus 8 MB) and memory bandwidth gap (25.6 versus 29.9 GB/s) both favor the Opteron for data-intensive operations. Neither CPU has an unlocked multiplier, and both are end-of-life products, though the Opteron's server segment and higher launch MSRP of $229 reflect its positioning as a workstation part. The Core i3-4170T's integrated graphics and PCIe Gen 3 support are features the Opteron lacks, making the Intel part more self-contained for desktop builds.