AMD Opteron 4226 vs Intel Core i3-4370T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the AMD Opteron 4226 across every Cinebench workload in the head-to-head comparison, though the margins are consistently narrow. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Opteron 4226 scores 291 against 287 for the Core i3-4370T, a 1.4% advantage. That is the largest single delta in the entire comparison, but it still represents a very close contest between two processors built for very different purposes.

Moving to Cinebench R20 multicore, the Opteron 4226 records 1213 points, while the Core i3-4370T trails at 1199. The delta here is 1.2%, meaning the Opteron holds its edge even as the workload scales. In Cinebench R20 singlecore, the Opteron 4226 again wins, 171 versus 169, another 1.2% margin. This is notable because the Core i3-4370T runs at a higher base clock of 3.30 GHz, yet it cannot convert that clock advantage into a single-thread win against the Opteron's 2.70 GHz base with a 3.10 GHz boost.

The Cinebench R23 results follow the same pattern. The Opteron 4226 scores 2890 in multicore, against 2856 for the Core i3-4370T, a 1.2% gap. In R23 singlecore, the Opteron 4226 posts 408 versus 403, again 1.2% ahead. The consistency of the 1.2% delta across R20 and R23 suggests that the performance difference is structural rather than workload-specific, likely reflecting the Opteron's six physical cores versus the Core i3's two cores with four threads.

The aggregate benchmark averages reinforce the head-to-head results. The Opteron 4226 carries an average benchmark score of 995, while the Core i3-4370T sits at 983. That difference of 12 points places the Opteron in the 27th percentile of all CPUs in the database, versus the 26th percentile for the Core i3. The nearest rivals for the Opteron 4226 are the Intel Core i7-2635QM and Intel Core i7-2920XM, both at exactly 995 with a 0% delta, followed by the Intel Core i3-8130U at 994 (0.1% behind) and the Intel Xeon W3565 at 993 (0.2% behind). For the Core i3-4370T, the nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon X3470 at 983 (0% delta), the Intel Core i3-4130T at 984 (0.1% ahead), the Intel Core i7-875K at 984 (0.1% ahead), and the Intel Xeon W5590 at 986 (0.3% ahead).

What the data does not show is any workload where the Core i3-4370T takes the lead. The wins column is 5 for the Opteron 4226 and 0 for the Core i3-4370T. That is a decisive outcome in terms of raw benchmark counts, even if the margins are small enough that real-world differences would be difficult to perceive without instrumentation.

The Verdict

The AMD Opteron 4226 is the clear benchmark winner in this matchup, based on the recorded data. It wins all five head-to-head tests, and its average benchmark score of 995 is 1.2% higher than the Core i3-4370T's 983. The percentile ranking also favors the Opteron by one point, 27th versus 26th. Any user selecting between these two strictly on Cinebench performance should choose the Opteron 4226.

However, the verdict is not that simple for a buyer, because the two processors target different market segments. The Opteron 4226 is a server and workstation part, built for AMD Socket C32, while the Core i3-4370T is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1150. The data shows that the Opteron offers ECC memory support, while the Core i3 does not. The Opteron also has six cores and six threads, versus two cores and four threads for the Core i3. For a workstation workload that scales across cores, the Opteron's core count is the relevant advantage, even if the benchmark deltas are modest.

The Core i3-4370T, meanwhile, has a 35 W TDP against the Opteron's 95 W TDP. It also includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 4600), which the Opteron lacks entirely. For a desktop build that needs a simple graphics solution and low power draw, the Core i3 is the sensible pick, despite losing every benchmark. The data does not show any performance scenario where the Core i3 wins, but it does show a different feature profile that may matter more than a 1.2% benchmark gap.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial. The AMD Opteron 4226 uses the Bulldozer architecture, codenamed Valencia, built on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It integrates 1,200 million transistors on a 315 mm² die. The Intel Core i3-4370T uses the Haswell architecture, also codenamed Haswell, built on a 22 nm process at Intel. It integrates 1,400 million transistors on a much smaller 177 mm² die. The smaller process node and larger transistor count for Intel reflect a denser design, but the benchmark data shows that density does not translate into a performance win here.

Cache configurations differ sharply. The Opteron 4226 has 288 KB of L1 cache, 6 MB of L2, and 8 MB of shared L3. The Core i3-4370T has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Opteron's larger L3 cache is consistent with its server orientation, where shared cache can benefit multi-threaded workloads. The Core i3's per-core L1 and L2 design is typical for desktop parts, but the total cache footprint is smaller.

Memory support is identical in width and bandwidth: both use DDR3 with a dual-channel bus and 25.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The Opteron adds ECC memory support, which is a critical feature for server reliability. The Core i3 does not support ECC. PCIe generations also differ: the Opteron uses PCIe Gen 2, while the Core i3 uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Core i3 has integrated graphics (Intel HD 4600), while the Opteron has none, reflecting its server role where discrete graphics or remote management are standard.

The Core i3-4370T has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and no boost clock, while the Opteron 4226 has a 2.70 GHz base and a 3.10 GHz boost. The TDP difference is notable: 35 W for the Core i3 versus 95 W for the Opteron. The release dates are also far apart, with the Opteron launching in November 2011 and the Core i3 in March 2015.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Opteron 4226 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Intel Core i3-4370T has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the AMD Opteron 4226 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i3-4370T does not support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i3-4370T has integrated graphics, specifically Intel HD 4600. The AMD Opteron 4226 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i3-4370T has a TDP of 35 W, while the AMD Opteron 4226 has a TDP of 95 W.

Q: Which processor has the higher base clock?

A: The Intel Core i3-4370T has a base clock of 3.30 GHz, which is higher than the AMD Opteron 4226's 2.70 GHz base clock. The Opteron does have a boost clock of 3.10 GHz, while the Core i3 has no boost clock.

Q: In the head-to-head benchmarks, who wins and by how much?

A: The AMD Opteron 4226 wins all five head-to-head tests. The margins are 1.4% in Cinebench R15 multicore, and 1.2% in Cinebench R20 multicore, R20 singlecore, R23 multicore, and R23 singlecore.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 4226 wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, so its case is straightforward: it is the faster processor in all recorded Cinebench tests. The singlecore wins are particularly meaningful because the Core i3-4370T has a higher base clock (3.30 GHz versus 2.70 GHz), yet the Opteron still edges ahead. That suggests the Opteron's architecture or cache configuration compensates for its lower clock in single-threaded work.

The Opteron also wins on features that matter for server and workstation deployments. It supports ECC memory, which the Core i3 does not. It has six physical cores, which can handle more concurrent threads than the Core i3's two cores and four threads. Its 8 MB of shared L3 cache is double the Core i3's 4 MB, which can improve hit rates for certain multi-threaded workloads.

The Intel Core i3-4370T does not win any benchmark, but it wins on the feature side in ways the data makes clear. Its 35 W TDP is less than a third of the Opteron's 95 W, making it a much lower-power option for desktop systems. It includes Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics, so a system built around it does not require a separate GPU for basic display output. It also uses PCIe Gen 3, which offers higher bandwidth than the Opteron's PCIe Gen 2. Its smaller die size (177 mm² versus 315 mm²) and newer release date (March 2015 versus November 2011) reflect a more modern design.

The use-case split is therefore clear: the Opteron 4226 is for workloads that prioritize raw multi-threaded performance, ECC reliability, and server compatibility. The Core i3-4370T is for desktop builds that prioritize low power, integrated graphics, and modern PCIe connectivity, even if it cedes performance to the Opteron in every recorded benchmark.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every specification field in the database. The AMD Opteron 4226 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Intel Core i3-4370T has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Opteron's base clock is 2.70 GHz with a 3.10 GHz boost, while the Core i3 has a 3.30 GHz base and no boost. The TDP is 95 W for the Opteron and 35 W for the Core i3.

The sockets are incompatible: the Opteron uses AMD Socket C32, while the Core i3 uses Intel Socket 1150. The architectures are Bulldozer (codename Valencia) for AMD and Haswell for Intel. The process nodes are 32 nm for AMD and 22 nm for Intel. Transistor counts are 1,200 million for the Opteron and 1,400 million for the Core i3, with die sizes of 315 mm² and 177 mm², respectively.

Cache layouts are entirely different. The Opteron has 288 KB L1, 6 MB L2, and 8 MB shared L3. The Core i3 has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. Both support DDR3 with dual-channel memory and 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, but ECC memory is supported only on the Opteron. PCIe is Gen 2 for the Opteron and Gen 3 with 16 lanes for the Core i3. Integrated graphics are absent on the Opteron and present as Intel HD 4600 on the Core i3. The market segments differ: server/workstation for AMD, desktop for Intel. Both are end-of-life, but the Opteron launched in November 2011 and the Core i3 in March 2015. The launch MSRP was $125 for the Opteron and $138 for the Core i3. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.