AMD Opteron 4226 vs Intel Core i3-7100H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data for the Intel Core i3-7100H versus the AMD Opteron 4226 presents a remarkably consistent picture across every recorded test. The Intel part wins all five Cinebench comparisons, though the margins are uniformly narrow. In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the i3-7100H scores 295 against the Opteron's 291, a 1.4% advantage. The Cinebench R20 multicore run shows a similar gap, with Intel at 1231 and AMD at 1213, a 1.5% edge.

Single-core results follow the same pattern. The Cinebench R20 single-core test gives the i3-7100H a score of 173 versus 171 for the Opteron, a 1.2% lead. The Cinebench R23 suite reinforces this trend: the Intel chip scores 414 in single-core and 2932 in multi-core, while the AMD processor posts 408 and 2890 respectively, with a 1.5% delta in both cases. No single benchmark flips the result; the data shows a consistent, if modest, Intel advantage across every workload.

The average benchmark scores reflect this overall balance. The i3-7100H carries an average score of 1009, landing it in the 28th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Opteron 4226 averages 995, sitting in the 27th percentile. These percentile positions confirm that both processors occupy essentially the same performance tier, differing by only a handful of points in aggregate.

Looking at the nearest rivals helps contextualize these numbers. The i3-7100H's closest competitor is the Intel Core i7-2675QM, which scores 1012, a 0.3% delta from the i3's 1009. The Intel Processor N100 trails at 1007, just 0.2% behind, while the Intel Core i5-10210Y scores 1006, a 0.3% difference. For the Opteron 4226, the Intel Core i7-2635QM and Intel Core i7-2920XM both match its 995 average exactly, with a 0% delta. The Intel Core i3-8130U sits at 994, a 0.1% gap, and the Intel Xeon W3565 posts 993, a 0.2% difference.

These rival data points show that neither chip is an outlier within its performance neighborhood. The i3-7100H and Opteron 4226 are trading blows with the same generation of mobile and server processors, all clustered within a few points of one another. The head-to-head results, therefore, do not indicate a class difference; they indicate two chips with nearly identical output, where the Intel part consistently edges ahead by roughly 1.5% or less.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data gives the Intel Core i3-7100H a clean sweep, with five wins out of five head-to-head benchmarks. That said, the margins are so slim that "win" here means "slightly ahead," not "dominant." In multi-threaded workloads like Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i3-7100H's 2932 versus the Opteron's 2890 represents a 1.5% gain, which translates to roughly 40 points out of nearly 3000. For rendering tasks that scale across cores, the Intel chip holds a narrow but repeatable edge.

Single-threaded performance, often a proxy for everyday responsiveness and lightly threaded applications, also favors the i3-7100H. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 414 versus 408 gives Intel a 1.5% lead, and the R20 single-core result shows the same pattern at 173 versus 171. The Opteron 4226, despite having three times the physical core count, cannot convert its additional resources into a benchmark victory. It loses every comparison, even in multi-core tests where one might expect the six-core part to outmuscle a dual-core.

There is no test in the database where the Opteron 4226 comes out ahead. The closest it gets is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the 291 versus 295 gap is just 1.4%. For users prioritizing raw core count for highly parallel non-Cinebench workloads, the Opteron's six cores might offer theoretical headroom, but the recorded benchmarks do not support that expectation. The data suggests that within the Cinebench suite, the i3-7100H's newer architecture and higher base clock compensate for its core deficit.

The use-case split is therefore straightforward: the i3-7100H wins in every tested scenario, whether that scenario leans on single-core speed or multi-core throughput. The Opteron 4226, with its server pedigree and ECC memory support, may serve specific workstation or server roles, but within the measured benchmarks, it has no winning category.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies and eras. The Intel Core i3-7100H uses the Kaby Lake architecture, specifically the Kaby Lake-H variant, built on a 14 nm process at Intel's foundry. It is a dual-core part with four threads, a design that emphasizes efficiency and per-core performance. The die size is 126 mm², and it was released in early January 2017, putting it six years newer than its AMD rival.

The AMD Opteron 4226, by contrast, uses the Bulldozer architecture under the Valencia codename, manufactured on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It is a six-core, six-thread processor with no hyperthreading-style simultaneous multithreading. The die is substantially larger at 315 mm², and it packs 1,200 million transistors. Released in mid-November 2011, it belongs to the Opteron 4000 series, aimed at server and workstation deployments.

Cache configurations highlight another major divergence. The i3-7100H has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 3 MB L3 cache. The Opteron 4226 lists a total of 288 KB of L1 cache, 6 MB of L2, and 8 MB of shared L3. The AMD part's larger L2 and L3 caches reflect its Bulldozer heritage, which relied on substantial cache hierarchies to feed its wide integer cores. The Intel part's smaller caches are offset by a more modern process node and architectural improvements.

The process node difference is significant: 14 nm for Intel versus 32 nm for AMD. This explains the thermal and power characteristics, though the exact TDP figures are covered in the specification section. The foundry choice also differs, Intel manufacturing its own chip while GlobalFoundries produced the Opteron. The i3-7100H includes Intel HD Graphics 630 integrated graphics, while the Opteron 4226 has no integrated graphics, a typical distinction between mobile processors and server parts.

PCIe support also diverges. The i3-7100H offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Opteron 4226 only supports PCIe Gen 2. This affects expansion bandwidth for add-in cards and storage devices. The memory support likewise differs, with the Intel part accepting both DDR3 and DDR4, while the AMD part is limited to DDR3. ECC memory is a key differentiator: the Opteron 4226 supports ECC, the i3-7100H does not, making the AMD chip more suitable for error-sensitive server workloads.

Specification Differences

The specification sheet shows clear contrasts between the two processors. The Intel Core i3-7100H has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD Opteron 4226 has 6 cores and 6 threads. Base clocks are close: 2.80 GHz for Intel versus 2.70 GHz for AMD. The Opteron adds a boost clock of 3.10 GHz, while the i3-7100H lists no boost clock, meaning it runs at its base frequency under all conditions.

Thermal design power differs substantially. The i3-7100H has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Opteron 4226 draws 95 watts. This nearly threefold difference in power envelope is a direct consequence of the process node and core count disparity. The Intel part fits into a mobile socket, Intel BGA 1440, whereas the AMD part uses the server-oriented AMD Socket C32.

Memory support shows another split: the i3-7100H supports DDR3 and DDR4, while the Opteron 4226 supports only DDR3. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the Opteron lists a specific memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i3-7100H has no recorded bandwidth figure. ECC memory is exclusive to the AMD part, which aligns with its server positioning. The Intel part includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 630), the AMD part has none.

Market segments differ as well: the i3-7100H is a mobile processor, while the Opteron 4226 targets server and workstation roles. Release dates are far apart, with Intel launching in January 2017 and AMD in November 2011. Launch MSRP values are available: the i3-7100H launched at $225, and the Opteron 4226 at $125. Both processors are end-of-life, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Opteron 4226 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Intel Core i3-7100H has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-7100H support ECC memory?

A: No. The i3-7100H does not support ECC memory. The AMD Opteron 4226 does support ECC memory, which is typical for its server-oriented design.

Q: What is the performance difference in single-core workloads?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i3-7100H scores 414 versus 408 for the Opteron 4226, a 1.5% advantage. The Cinebench R20 single-core test shows a similar gap at 173 versus 171, a 1.2% lead.

Q: Which chip has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i3-7100H includes Intel HD Graphics 630. The AMD Opteron 4226 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What are the power consumption levels?

A: The Intel Core i3-7100H has a TDP of 35 watts. The AMD Opteron 4226 has a TDP of 95 watts.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i3-7100H has an average benchmark score of 1009, placing it in the 28th percentile. The Opteron 4226 averages 995, in the 27th percentile. The i3-7100H's nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-2675QM, scores 1012, while the Opteron's nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-2635QM, scores 995.