AMD Opteron 3380 vs Intel Core i5-5287U Comparison

The AMD Opteron 3380 and Intel Core i5-5287U occupy nearly the same position in the overall performance distribution, with average benchmark scores of 1071 and 1072 respectively, yet their benchmark profiles could not be more different. The Opteron 3380 wins all five head-to-head comparisons in the shared test suite, while the Core i5-5287U counters with a higher single-core Geekbench result and a lower thermal design power. This analysis walks through the data to determine where each part genuinely excels.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is unambiguous: the AMD Opteron 3380 wins every single shared benchmark, with the Intel Core i5-5287U trailing by roughly 30% in each case. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Opteron scores 373 against the i5-5287U’s 261, a delta of -30%. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the Opteron’s 1555 beats the i5’s 1090 by -29.9%. The single-core tests tell the same story, with the Opteron winning Cinebench R20 single-core by 219 to 153 (-30.1%) and Cinebench R23 single-core by 522 to 366 (-29.9%).

The largest consistent margin appears in Cinebench R23 multicore, where the Opteron 3380 scores 3704 against the i5-5287U’s 2596, again a -29.9% delta. Notably, the Intel part has no benchmark wins in the head-to-head set, though the Geekbench data (not part of the head-to-head array) shows the i5-5287U leading in single-core performance with 1029 versus the Opteron’s lack of a single-core Geekbench entry. However, within the shared Cinebench tests, the Opteron’s advantage is consistent and substantial, hovering near 30% across all five comparisons.

The percentile data places both parts near the bottom of the overall CPU distribution, with the i5-5287U at the 30th percentile and the Opteron 3380 at the 29th percentile. This near-tie in overall standing, despite the Opteron’s consistent 30% lead in Cinebench, suggests the Intel part’s strength lies elsewhere—specifically in its Geekbench single-core score of 1029, which is not matched by the Opteron in the available data.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-5287U has an average benchmark score of 1072, while the AMD Opteron 3380 scores 1071. The difference is 1 point, effectively a tie, with the nearest rival data showing a deltaPct of 0.1% between them.

Q: Does the AMD Opteron 3380 win every head-to-head benchmark?

A: Yes. The head-to-head array shows the Opteron 3380 winning all five shared Cinebench tests, with deltaPct values ranging from -29.9% to -30.1% against the Intel Core i5-5287U. The Intel part has zero wins in the head-to-head set.

Q: How do the core counts compare between the two CPUs?

A: The AMD Opteron 3380 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-5287U has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Opteron’s core advantage is 6 physical cores and 4 threads over the Intel part.

Q: What is the thermal design power (TDP) difference?

A: The Intel Core i5-5287U has a TDP of 28 watts, while the AMD Opteron 3380 has a TDP of 65 watts. The Intel part consumes 37 watts less, making it the more power-efficient choice on paper.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Opteron 3380 has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core i5-5287U’s boost clock of 3.30 GHz. The Opteron also has a higher base clock difference, with 2.60 GHz versus 2.90 GHz for the Intel part.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. Both the Intel Core i5-5287U and the AMD Opteron 3380 have ECC memory support listed as false, meaning neither supports ECC memory.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-5287U is built on the Broadwell architecture, specifically the Broadwell-U codename, using a 14 nm process node fabricated by Intel. It integrates 1,900 million transistors on a die size of 133 mm². The AMD Opteron 3380 uses the K10 architecture with the Delhi codename, built on a 32 nm process node, with 1,200 million transistors on a significantly larger die size of 315 mm².

Cache hierarchies diverge sharply. The Intel part allocates 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with a shared 3 MB L3 cache. The AMD Opteron 3380 provides a total of 384 KB of L1 cache, 8 MB of L2 cache, and a shared 8 MB L3 cache. The Opteron’s L2 cache is nearly 32 times larger than the Intel part’s aggregate L2 (assuming 2 cores), and its L3 cache is over 2.5 times larger.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Intel Core i5-5287U includes Intel Iris 6100 graphics, while the AMD Opteron 3380 has no dedicated integrated graphics, instead relying on the chipset feature “on certain motherboards.” The memory support is identical in type (DDR3) and bus width (dual-channel), with matching memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. PCIe support differs: the Intel part offers Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD part offers Gen 2 without a lane count specified.

Specification Differences

The specification differences between the two CPUs are extensive. The core count differs by 6 (2 vs 8), and thread count differs by 4 (4 vs 8). Base clocks are 2.90 GHz for the Intel part versus 2.60 GHz for the AMD part, a 0.30 GHz advantage for Intel. Boost clocks are 3.30 GHz for Intel versus 3.60 GHz for AMD, a 0.30 GHz advantage for AMD. The TDP difference is 37 watts (28 vs 65 watts).

Sockets are incompatible: Intel BGA 1168 versus AMD Socket AM3+. Process nodes differ (14 nm vs 32 nm), as do transistor counts (1,900 million vs 1,200 million) and die sizes (133 mm² vs 315 mm²). The cache configurations differ in every level: L1 (64 KB per core vs 384 KB total), L2 (256 KB per core vs 8 MB total), and L3 (3 MB shared vs 8 MB shared). The market segments differ (Mobile vs Server/Workstation), and release dates are separated by over two years (2015-02-28 vs 2012-12-03). The launch MSRP for the Intel part is $315, and for the AMD part it is $229.

The part numbers differ (SR26H vs OS3380OLW8KHK), and neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel part’s PCIe specification includes a lane count of 12 (CPU only), while the AMD part’s PCIe spec only lists “Gen 2” without lane details. The integrated graphics presence is a major differentiator, with Intel offering Iris 6100 and AMD offering no direct graphics solution.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split: the AMD Opteron 3380 is the stronger multi-threaded performer in the shared Cinebench suite, winning all five head-to-head tests with consistent margins near 30%. The Intel Core i5-5287U, despite losing those tests, has a higher average benchmark score by a single point (1072 vs 1071) and a higher Geekbench single-core score of 1029, which the Opteron does not contest in the provided data.

For workloads that rely on parallel execution across many cores, the Opteron 3380’s 8 cores and 8 threads provide a decisive advantage over the i5-5287U’s 2 cores and 4 threads. The Opteron’s Cinebench R23 multicore score of 3704 is 42.7% higher than the i5-5287U’s 2596, reflecting its core-count superiority. However, the Intel part’s lower TDP of 28 watts versus 65 watts makes it the more energy-conscious option, and its Geekbench single-core score suggests better lightly-threaded responsiveness.

The percentile rankings (30th for Intel, 29th for AMD) place both processors in the lower quartile of all CPUs, indicating neither is a high-end performer. The verdict depends on the use case: the Opteron 3380 for multi-threaded server or workstation tasks, and the Core i5-5287U for mobile or power-constrained scenarios where its 2.90 GHz base clock and integrated graphics add value.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 3380 wins in every shared multi-threaded benchmark. Its Cinebench R15 multicore score of 373 exceeds the i5-5287U’s 261 by 42.9%, and its Cinebench R20 multicore score of 1555 beats 1090 by 42.7%. The single-core Cinebench tests also favor the Opteron, with R20 single-core at 219 versus 153 (43.1% higher) and R23 single-core at 522 versus 366 (42.6% higher). The Opteron’s larger L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB) and 8 MB L2 cache likely contribute to these wins, along with its 3.60 GHz boost clock.

The Intel Core i5-5287U wins in power efficiency, with a 28-watt TDP compared to the Opteron’s 65 watts. It also has a higher Geekbench single-core score of 1029, though the Opteron lacks a Geekbench single-core result in the data. The Intel part’s integrated Iris 6100 graphics provide a display output capability that the Opteron lacks without a chipset feature. Its higher base clock of 2.90 GHz versus 2.60 GHz may benefit latency-sensitive tasks that do not scale across cores.

For mobile or compact systems, the Intel Core i5-5287U’s BGA 1168 socket and 28-watt TDP make it a logical fit. For server or workstation environments with ample cooling and a need for parallel throughput, the AMD Opteron 3380’s 8 cores and 3.60 GHz boost clock deliver consistently higher Cinebench scores across the board. The data does not support the Intel part in any shared benchmark, but its lower power draw and integrated graphics define its niche.