AMD Opteron 3380 vs Intel Core i7-2820QM Comparison

The AMD Opteron 3380 and Intel Core i7-2820QM are near-perfect statistical twins in benchmark performance, yet they are fundamentally different processors serving opposite market segments. The Opteron 3380 is an 8-core server/workstation chip on AMD Socket AM3+ with a K10 architecture, while the i7-2820QM is a 4-core/8-thread mobile processor on Intel Socket G2 with Sandy Bridge architecture. Their average benchmark scores are 1071 and 1069, respectively, placing both at the 29th percentile of all CPUs. The data shows the Opteron wins all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, but every margin is less than 1%, making the choice between them entirely a question of platform, power envelope, and intended use case rather than raw compute capability.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 3380 wins every single benchmark comparison in the data, but the victories are so narrow that they are statistically negligible. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Opteron scores 373 against the i7-2820QM's 372, a 0.3% difference. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the margin is 1555 versus 1552, or 0.2%. The R23 multicore test shows 3704 against 3697, again a 0.2% lead. In single-core tests across R15, R20, and R23, both processors score identically: 52, 219, and 522 respectively, with the Opteron awarded the win only by tiebreaker. The i7-2820QM has additional Geekbench scores in the data — 1623 multicore and 517 singlecore — which the Opteron does not have, so the Intel chip demonstrates capability in that test suite, but no direct comparison is possible.

The real differentiation lies in architecture and platform characteristics. The Opteron 3380 offers 8 physical cores versus the i7-2820QM's 4 cores with 8 threads via Hyper-Threading. This makes the AMD chip suited for workloads that scale with physical core count, such as multi-threaded server tasks, even if the benchmark scores do not reflect a substantial advantage. The i7-2820QM, with its lower 45W TDP compared to the Opteron's 65W, is designed for mobile deployments where thermal and power constraints dominate. The Intel chip also includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 3000), whereas the Opteron relies on chipset features on certain motherboards for display output. For a database or light server workload, the Opteron's server classification and AM3+ socket ecosystem matter more than its negligible benchmark lead. For a laptop or compact mobile workstation, the i7-2820QM's lower TDP and integrated graphics are decisive.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different architectural lineages. The AMD Opteron 3380 is built on the K10 architecture, codenamed Delhi, part of the Opteron 3000 series, and manufactured on a 32nm process node. It packs 1,200 million transistors on a 315 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-2820QM uses Sandy Bridge architecture, also on a 32nm process, with 1,160 million transistors on a smaller 216 mm² die. Both are 32nm parts, but the Intel chip's die is significantly smaller, reflecting a more dense design.

Cache configurations differ notably. The Opteron 3380 has 384 KB of L1 cache, 8 MB of L2 cache, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7-2820QM specifies its cache per core: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. For the 4-core Intel chip, this works out to 256 KB L1 total and 1 MB L2 total, though the per-core figures are what matter for access latency. The Opteron's larger aggregate L2 (8 MB) is a consequence of having 8 cores, not a design advantage per core.

Memory support also diverges. The Opteron 3380 supports DDR3 memory with dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. The i7-2820QM also uses dual-channel memory, but the FACT PACK does not provide its bandwidth figure. Neither chip supports ECC memory. The Opteron has PCIe Gen 2 support, while the i7-2820QM's PCIe specification is not listed. The Opteron is a server/workstation part, unlocked multiplier is false for both, and both are end-of-life products.

The integrated graphics situation is a major architectural difference. The i7-2820QM includes Intel HD 3000 graphics on-die. The Opteron 3380 has no integrated graphics; it relies on "certain motherboards" where the chipset provides display capability. This makes the Intel chip a complete mobile package, while the Opteron requires a discrete GPU or a motherboard with integrated video output for any graphical task.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The AMD Opteron 3380 has 8 physical cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core i7-2820QM has 4 physical cores but supports 8 threads through Hyper-Threading.

Q: How do their single-core performances compare?

A: They are identical. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 single-core tests, both score 52, 219, and 522 respectively. The Opteron is awarded the head-to-head win in each case due to a 0% deltaPct tiebreak.

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: The AMD Opteron 3380 has a TDP of 65W, while the Intel Core i7-2820QM has a TDP of 45W. This makes the Intel chip more suitable for power-constrained mobile environments.

Q: Do these processors have integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i7-2820QM includes Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics. The AMD Opteron 3380 does not have integrated graphics; display output depends on chipset features on certain motherboards.

Q: Which chip has a larger L3 cache?

A: Both have 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Opteron also has 8 MB of L2 cache, while the i7-2820QM has 256 KB L2 per core.

Q: What is the market segment for each?

A: The AMD Opteron 3380 is classified as Server/Workstation. The Intel Core i7-2820QM is classified as Mobile.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Opteron 3380 | Intel Core i7-2820QM |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 8 | 4 |

| Threads | 8 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.60 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| TDP | 65W | 45W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM3+ | Intel Socket G2 (988B) |

| Architecture | K10 | Sandy Bridge |

| Codename | Delhi | Sandy Bridge |

| Transistors | 1,200 million | 1,160 million |

| Die Size | 315 mm² | 216 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 384 KB | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 8 MB | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 29.9 GB/s | Not specified |

| PCIe | Gen 2 | Not specified |

| Integrated Graphics | On certain motherboards (Chipset feature) | Intel HD 3000 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2012-12-03 | 2011-01-02 |

| Launch MSRP | $229 | Not specified |

| Part Number | OS3380OLW8KHK | SR012 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data is remarkably one-sided in name only, as every margin is under 1%. The largest single victory for the AMD Opteron 3380 comes in Cinebench R15 multicore, where it scores 373 against the i7-2820QM's 372, a 0.3% delta. This is the biggest gap in any test. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the Opteron scores 1555 versus 1552, a 0.2% lead. The R23 multicore test shows 3704 against 3697, also a 0.2% delta.

In all three single-core tests, the scores are exactly tied: 52 in R15, 219 in R20, and 522 in R23. The Opteron is declared the winner with a 0% deltaPct, which is a tiebreaker decision rather than a performance advantage. Across all six head-to-head tests, the Opteron wins six and the i7-2820QM wins zero. However, the i7-2820QM has two additional Geekbench scores in its individual benchmark list — 1623 multicore and 517 singlecore — which are not part of the head-to-head comparisons. These scores, while not directly comparable to any Opteron result, indicate the Intel chip is capable in that benchmark suite.

The average benchmark scores reinforce the near-equality: the Opteron averages 1071, and the i7-2820QM averages 1069. The Opteron's nearest rival is the AMD Athlon X4 880K with a 0% delta, followed by the Intel Core i5-5287U and Intel Core i3-4170T at -0.1%, and the Intel Processor N95 at +0.1%. The i7-2820QM's nearest rival list includes the Intel Processor N95 at -0.1%, the Opteron itself at -0.2%, the Athlon X4 880K at -0.2%, and the i5-5287U at -0.3%. Both chips sit at the 29th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they outperform roughly 29% of the general CPU population.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear conclusion: choose the AMD Opteron 3380 if you need a server/workstation processor with 8 physical cores, a larger die (315 mm²), and a higher TDP budget of 65W. Its AM3+ socket and DDR3 dual-channel memory with 29.9 GB/s bandwidth are oriented toward stationary, multi-threaded workloads. The 8 MB L2 cache and 8 MB shared L3 provide ample cache for server tasks. The launch MSRP of $229 reflects its positioning at the time of release.

Choose the Intel Core i7-2820QM if your priority is a mobile platform with a lower 45W TDP and integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics. Its Sandy Bridge architecture, while older (released 2011-01-02 versus 2012-12-03 for the Opteron), offers 4 cores with 8 threads, which matches the Opteron's thread count in most multithreaded benchmarks. The per-core L2 and L1 cache design is typical of Intel's approach, and the smaller 216 mm² die with 1,160 million transistors shows a more compact implementation.

The benchmark results show that despite different architectures and core counts, these processors deliver statistically identical Cinebench performance. The Opteron's 8 cores do not translate into a meaningful lead over the i7-2820QM's 4 cores with Hyper-Threading. In every single-core test, they tie exactly. In multicore tests, the Opteron's largest lead is 0.3%. Therefore, the decision rests entirely on platform fit: a server motherboard with AM3+ socket and no integrated graphics, versus a mobile laptop board with G2 socket and built-in graphics. If you are building a low-power mobile system, the i7-2820QM is the obvious choice. If you are populating a server chassis with a 65W AM3+ processor, the Opteron 3380 delivers the same performance profile with the server-market pedigree. Neither chip wins on raw speed; they win on ecosystem compatibility.