AMD Opteron 3380 vs Intel Core i5-2320 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear and consistent winner across all five Cinebench comparisons. The AMD Opteron 3380 outperforms the Intel Core i5-2320 in every single test in the head-to-head set. The only tests shared by both processors are the multicore Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, plus the single-core R20 and R23. In each instance, the Opteron leads by a margin between 14.9% and 15.1%.

Starting with the multicore results, the gap is nearly identical. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Opteron scores 373 versus Intel's 317, a delta of 15% in favor of AMD. The R20 multicore test shows the same 15% difference, with scores of 1555 and 1321 respectively. The R23 multicore result narrows this slightly to 14.9%, with the Opteron at 3704 and the i5-2320 at 3146. These are substantial leads, placing the Opteron roughly one-seventh ahead of the Intel part in sustained multicore workloads.

Single-core results tell a similar story, though with a slightly different margin. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Opteron scores 219 against the Intel's 186, a 15.1% advantage. The R23 single-core test shows a 14.9% lead, with scores of 522 and 444. Even though the Intel chip has a higher base clock (3.00 GHz versus 2.60 GHz), the Opteron's higher boost clock (3.60 GHz versus 3.30 GHz) appears to be the deciding factor in these lightly threaded tests. The benchmark database shows no test in which the Intel Core i5-2320 manages to take a win, making this a 5-0 sweep for the AMD part in the recorded head-to-head data.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the head-to-head data, the AMD Opteron 3380 wins in every category measured. There are no benchmark wins recorded for the Intel Core i5-2320. This means the Opteron's advantage extends across both multicore and single-core performance. For workloads that rely heavily on parallel execution, such as video rendering or scientific computing, the Opteron's eight cores (versus four on the Intel) provide a clear edge. The data shows the multicore wins are consistent, with the Opteron scoring 15% higher in R15 and R20, and 14.9% higher in R23.

For single-threaded tasks, the result is less intuitive given the Intel part's higher base clock. Yet the Opteron still leads by roughly 15% in both R20 and R23 single-core tests. This suggests the Opteron's boost behavior is more aggressive, or its architecture extracts more instructions per cycle in these specific benchmarks despite the lower base frequency. The Intel i5-2320, with its 3.30 GHz boost clock, cannot close the gap. The data does not show any scenario where the Intel part wins, so for users prioritizing Cinebench performance, the Opteron is the clear choice. For those who might value other attributes like integrated graphics or lower power draw, the specification differences matter, but strictly in benchmark terms, AMD takes all five recorded head-to-head tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-2320 has an average benchmark score of 1083, while the AMD Opteron 3380 has an average of 1071. Despite this, the Opteron wins all five head-to-head Cinebench tests, indicating the average score is skewed by other benchmarks not present in the head-to-head set.

Q: How do the CPUs compare in the Cinebench R23 multicore test?

A: The AMD Opteron 3380 scores 3704, while the Intel Core i5-2320 scores 3146. This gives the Opteron a 14.9% advantage in that specific test.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The Intel Core i5-2320 has a TDP of 95 watts, while the AMD Opteron 3380 has a TDP of 65 watts. The Opteron delivers higher benchmark scores while drawing less power according to the rated specifications.

Q: Does the Intel part have a higher base clock speed?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i5-2320 has a base clock of 3.00 GHz, compared to the Opteron's 2.60 GHz. However, the Opteron has a higher boost clock at 3.60 GHz versus 3.30 GHz, which correlates with its single-core benchmark wins.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Opteron 3380 has 8 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core i5-2320 has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Opteron's doubled core count aligns with its multicore benchmark advantage.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the AMD Opteron 3380?

A: The launch MSRP of the AMD Opteron 3380 is $229. The Intel Core i5-2320 has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The Intel Core i5-2320 has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD Opteron 3380 has 8 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks differ, with the Intel at 3.00 GHz and the AMD at 2.60 GHz. Boost clocks are closer, with the Intel reaching 3.30 GHz and the AMD reaching 3.60 GHz. The TDP ratings are notably different: the Intel is rated at 95 watts, the AMD at 65 watts.

The sockets are incompatible, with the Intel using Socket 1155 and the AMD using Socket AM3+. Memory support is DDR3 for both, and both use dual-channel memory buses. However, the AMD Opteron has a recorded memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, while the Intel part has no such figure in the database. ECC memory support is listed as false for both. PCIe generations differ: the Intel supports Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD supports Gen 2. Integrated graphics are present on the Intel (Intel HD 2000), whereas the AMD relies on a chipset feature on certain motherboards.

The market segments differ: the Intel is a desktop part, the AMD is a server/workstation part. Both are end-of-life production status. Release dates show the Intel launched in September 2011, and the AMD in December 2012. The part numbers are SR02L for Intel and OS3380OLW8KHK for AMD. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is significant. The Intel Core i5-2320 uses the Sandy Bridge architecture, built on a 32 nm process at Intel's foundry. Its transistor count is listed as 1,160 million, with a die size of 216 mm². The AMD Opteron 3380 uses the K10 architecture (codename Delhi), also on a 32 nm process, but with a higher transistor count of 1,200 million and a larger die size of 315 mm². The AMD has no listed foundry in the database.

Cache layouts are entirely different. The Intel part has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with a shared 6 MB L3. The AMD part has 384 KB of L1 total, 8 MB of L2, and 8 MB of shared L3. The AMD's larger L3 cache (8 MB versus 6 MB) and bigger total L2 (8 MB versus 1 MB on the Intel, calculated as 4 cores x 256 KB) provide a capacity advantage. The Intel's L1 is per-core, while the AMD's L1 figure is a total, so direct comparison is not straightforward.

The Intel's integrated graphics come from the CPU itself (Intel HD 2000). The AMD's graphics capabilities depend on the motherboard chipset, which is not a direct CPU feature. The Intel's PCIe Gen 3 support is newer than the AMD's Gen 2. Both support DDR3 memory, but the AMD lists a specific memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, which the Intel does not specify. The AMD's larger die and transistor count suggest a more complex chip, but its lower TDP (65 watts versus 95 watts) indicates it achieves its performance with lower rated power consumption.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Opteron 3380 outperforms the Intel Core i5-2320 in every recorded benchmark comparison. The Opteron leads by approximately 15% in both multicore and single-core Cinebench tests. Its eight cores and 8 MB of L3 cache give it a structural advantage in parallel workloads. The higher boost clock of 3.60 GHz over the Intel's 3.30 GHz helps it win single-core tests despite the Intel's higher base clock.

However, the Intel part is not without its own merits. It has a lower average benchmark score (1083 versus 1071) in the database, but this is countered by its head-to-head losses. The Intel has a smaller die (216 mm² versus 315 mm²) and fewer transistors, which could imply lower manufacturing complexity. It also has integrated graphics, which the AMD does not offer natively. The Intel uses PCIe Gen 3, which is a newer standard than the AMD's Gen 2.

For users choosing between these two, the decision depends on the workload. The AMD Opteron 3380 is the clear pick for anyone prioritizing Cinebench performance, which often correlates with rendering and compute-heavy tasks. Its higher core count and larger cache make it suitable for server or workstation roles, matching its market segment. The Intel Core i5-2320, with its desktop segment and integrated graphics, might appeal to a basic desktop build, but the benchmark data shows no performance advantage in the tested scenarios.

Given that the Opteron wins all five head-to-head tests and has a lower TDP, the recorded data favors AMD for raw performance. The Intel's only advantages are its integrated graphics and newer PCIe support, neither of which appears in the benchmark results. The Opteron's launch MSRP of $229 provides a reference point, though no pricing comparison with the Intel part is recorded. Ultimately, the benchmark database indicates that the AMD Opteron 3380 is the superior performer in this pairing, with a consistent 15% lead across the board.