AMD Opteron 4226 vs Intel Core i3-4130T Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data paints a clear picture: the AMD Opteron 4226 wins every head-to-head benchmark in the database, taking all five Cinebench comparisons. The Intel Core i3-4130T, conversely, does not record a single win in these tests. This is not a close contest; the Opteron leads by margins between 18.4% and 18.8% across all shared workloads.

For multi-threaded rendering, the Opteron is decisively ahead. Its six physical cores, running at a base clock of 2.70 GHz with a boost of 3.10 GHz, deliver a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 2890 against the Core i3's 2440. That is an 18.4% advantage in a workload that scales with core count. The Core i3 counters with hyper-threading, offering two cores and four threads, but that does not close the gap.

Single-core performance follows the same pattern, which is notable because the Core i3 has a higher base clock (2.90 GHz versus 2.70 GHz) and a newer architecture. The Opteron still wins the Cinebench R23 single-core test with 408 points versus 344, an 18.6% margin. The Core i3's 2.90 GHz clock cannot overcome the Opteron's architectural efficiency in this specific rendering workload.

The benchmark database also shows both processors sit at the 27th percentile among all CPUs tested. Their average benchmark scores are close: 995 for the Opteron versus 984 for the Core i3, a 1.1% difference. The nearest rivals confirm this grouping: the Opteron 4226 matches the Intel Core i7-2635QM and i7-2920XM exactly at 995 points, while the Core i3-4130T matches the Intel Core i7-875K at 984. These are comparable tiers, but the head-to-head results show the Opteron consistently outperforming in every Cinebench iteration.

The use-case split is therefore simple: for any workload measured in this database, the AMD Opteron 4226 is the stronger performer. The Core i3-4130T does have its own advantages, but they are not reflected in raw compute scores.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The AMD Opteron 4226 is a server/workstation part from the Opteron 4000 series, built on the Bulldozer architecture with the Valencia codename. It uses a 32 nm process from GlobalFoundries, packing 1,200 million transistors onto a 315 mm² die. The Intel Core i3-4130T is a desktop part based on Haswell, built on Intel's 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors on a much smaller 177 mm² die.

Core counts differ sharply. The Opteron offers six cores and six threads, with no simultaneous multi-threading (SMT). The Core i3 offers two cores and four threads, using hyper-threading to double its thread count. The Opteron's cache hierarchy is also larger: 288 KB of L1, 6 MB of L2, and 8 MB of shared L3. The Core i3 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 3 MB of shared L3. These cache differences matter for multi-threaded server workloads, where the Opteron's larger aggregate cache reduces memory pressure.

Memory support is another differentiator. Both support DDR3 memory over a dual-channel bus, but the Opteron lists a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s and supports ECC memory, which is critical for server reliability. The Core i3 does not support ECC and has no listed memory bandwidth figure in the database. The Opteron also uses PCIe Gen 2, while the Core i3 steps up to PCIe Gen 3.

The Core i3 includes integrated graphics, specifically Intel HD 4400, while the Opteron does not ship with any integrated GPU. This makes the Core i3 a more complete package for a desktop build without a discrete graphics card, but it is irrelevant for server tasks.

The Core i3's base clock of 2.90 GHz is higher than the Opteron's 2.70 GHz, but the Opteron has a boost clock of 3.10 GHz, which the Core i3 lacks entirely. The Opteron also carries a 95 W TDP against the Core i3's 35 W, reflecting its server-grade power envelope. The socket differs completely: AMD Socket C32 for the Opteron, Intel Socket 1150 for the Core i3. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The five head-to-head Cinebench results all favor the AMD Opteron 4226. The largest single margin is 18.8%, recorded in both Cinebench R15 multi-core and Cinebench R20 single-core. In R15 multi-core, the Opteron scores 291 against the Core i3's 245. In R20 single-core, the Opteron scores 171 against 144.

Cinebench R20 multi-core shows an 18.5% win for the Opteron, with scores of 1213 versus 1024. Cinebench R23 multi-core delivers an 18.4% win, 2890 versus 2440. Cinebench R23 single-core shows an 18.6% win, 408 versus 344.

These margins are remarkably consistent, hovering between 18.4% and 18.8%. The consistency suggests a fundamental performance advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. Across both single-core and multi-core tests, the Opteron maintains roughly an 18.5% lead. This uniformity is striking because single-core tests typically favor newer architectures with higher clocks, yet the Opteron's Bulldozer design still prevails here.

The Core i3 does record additional benchmarks in the database that the Opteron lacks, specifically Geekbench scores: 1787 multi-core and 903 single-core. These cannot be compared directly because the Opteron has no Geekbench results. However, the Cinebench suite provides a complete head-to-head picture, and it is entirely one-sided.

The Verdict

From the recorded data, the choice is unambiguous for raw performance: the AMD Opteron 4226 wins every benchmark it shares with the Intel Core i3-4130T. If the workload is rendering or any other Cinebench-style compute task, the Opteron is the correct pick. Its six cores and larger cache deliver a consistent 18.4% to 18.8% advantage across all tested scenarios.

The Core i3-4130T, however, is not without merit. Its 35 W TDP makes it far more power-efficient than the Opteron's 95 W envelope. It also includes integrated graphics, which the Opteron lacks entirely. For a desktop system where power draw and a built-in GPU matter, the Core i3 is the sensible option. Its higher base clock of 2.90 GHz also helps in lightly threaded workloads, though the benchmark data does not support a win there.

The market segments reinforce this split. The Opteron is a server/workstation part, end-of-life, designed for multi-threaded reliability with ECC memory support. The Core i3 is a desktop part with a modern feature set including PCIe Gen 3 and integrated graphics. If you need a server CPU that dominates in compute, the Opteron wins. If you need a low-power desktop chip with a GPU, the Core i3 wins. There is no scenario in the database where the Core i3 outperforms the Opteron in raw compute, so the verdict follows the data.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Opteron 4226 has six cores and six threads. The Intel Core i3-4130T has two cores and four threads.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-4130T support ECC memory?

A: No. The database lists ECC memory support only for the AMD Opteron 4226; the Core i3 does not support ECC.

Q: Which CPU wins in single-core performance?

A: The AMD Opteron 4226 wins in all single-core Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 408 versus the Core i3's 344, an 18.6% margin.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The AMD Opteron 4226 has a 95 W TDP, while the Intel Core i3-4130T has a 35 W TDP.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-4130T have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Intel HD 4400. The AMD Opteron 4226 has no integrated graphics listed.

Q: How close are their overall benchmark averages?

A: The AMD Opteron 4226 has an average benchmark score of 995, and the Intel Core i3-4130T has 984. Both sit at the 27th percentile among all CPUs.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Opteron 4226 | Intel Core i3-4130T |

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

| Cores | 6 | 2 |

| Threads | 6 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.10 GHz | None |

| TDP | 95 W | 35 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket C32 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Bulldozer | Haswell |

| Codename | Valencia | Haswell |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 22 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 1,200 million | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | 315 mm² | 177 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 288 KB | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 6 MB | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 3 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | Not listed |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 2 | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Intel HD 4400 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2011-11-13 | 2013-08-31 |

| Launch MSRP | $125 | None listed |