AMD Opteron 4226 vs Intel Core i7-875K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clean sweep for the AMD Opteron 4226 across every recorded test, with the narrowest margin still representing a measurable advantage. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Opteron scores 291 against the Core i7-875K's 275, a 5.8% lead. That same 5.8% delta repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Opteron posts 1213 versus 1146. The pattern continues in Cinebench R23 multi-core: 2890 for the AMD part, 2729 for the Intel part, a 5.9% gap.

The single-core results tell a similar story, though the margins shift slightly. Cinebench R20 single-core has the Opteron at 171 and the Intel at 161, a 6.2% advantage. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 408 versus 385, a 6% lead. These are consistent, if modest, wins across both threaded and lightly threaded workloads. The data indicates the Opteron holds an edge in every scenario the database has recorded, with zero wins for the Intel side.

It is importantly the average benchmark scores in the broader database place the Opteron at 995 and the Core i7-875K at 984. The Opteron's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-2635QM and Intel Core i7-2920XM, both at 995 with a 0% delta, plus the Intel Core i3-8130U at 994 and the Intel Xeon W3565 at 993. The Core i7-875K sits near the Intel Core i3-4130T at 984, the Intel Xeon X3470 at 983, the Intel Core i3-4370T at 983, and the Intel Xeon W5590 at 986. Both CPUs land in the 27th percentile of all processors in the database, meaning they occupy similar overall performance tiers despite the Opteron's head-to-head victories.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Opteron 4226 scores 2890 versus the Intel Core i7-875K's 2729, a 5.9% advantage for the AMD part.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in single-core performance?

A: The Opteron leads in both recorded single-core tests. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 171 against 161 (6.2% higher). In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 408 against 385 (6% higher).

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Opteron 4226 averages 995 across all database benchmarks, while the Core i7-875K averages 984. Both sit at the 27th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: Yes for the AMD Opteron 4226, which has ECC memory support. The Intel Core i7-875K does not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Opteron 4226 delivers 25.6 GB/s over dual-channel DDR3, while the Core i7-875K provides 21.3 GB/s over dual-channel DDR3.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The Intel Core i7-875K has an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD Opteron 4226 does not.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Opteron 4226 uses the Bulldozer architecture on the Valencia codename, built on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 1,200 million transistors into a 315 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-875K uses the Nehalem architecture under the Lynnfield codename, fabricated on Intel's 45 nm process with 774 million transistors on a 296 mm² die. The transistor count difference is substantial, with the AMD part carrying roughly 55% more transistors, though the architectural efficiency of each design differs.

The core configurations reveal a key split. The Opteron 4226 has 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning no hyper-threading style parallelism. The Core i7-875K has 4 cores and 8 threads, using Intel's simultaneous multithreading to double the thread count. This means the Intel chip presents more threads to the operating system despite having fewer physical cores. The cache hierarchies also differ in structure. The Opteron has 288 KB of L1 cache, 6 MB of L2 cache, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i7-875K has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The total L3 is identical at 8 MB, but the per-core L1 and L2 allocations differ.

The memory interface shows another divergence. Both support DDR3 and dual-channel memory buses, but the Opteron's memory bandwidth is rated at 25.6 GB/s versus Intel's 21.3 GB/s. The Opteron also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the Core i7-875K. PCIe support is Gen 2 on both, though the Intel part specifies 16 lanes from the CPU only. The Opteron comes from the Opteron 4000 series, a server and workstation family, while the Core i7-875K is a desktop part from the Lynnfield generation.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ directly: the Opteron 4226 offers 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Core i7-875K offers 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks also diverge, with the Opteron at 2.70 GHz and the Intel at 2.93 GHz. Boost clocks follow the same order: 3.10 GHz for the Opteron, 3.60 GHz for the Intel. Despite the clock speed disadvantage, the Opteron still wins the recorded benchmarks, suggesting architectural efficiency or other factors compensate.

Both parts have a 95 W TDP, so thermal envelopes are identical. The sockets differ completely: the Opteron uses AMD Socket C32, the Intel uses Socket 1156. Process nodes differ, 32 nm for AMD versus 45 nm for Intel, and the foundries differ as well, GlobalFoundries versus Intel. Transistor counts are 1,200 million versus 774 million, and die sizes are 315 mm² versus 296 mm². Memory bandwidth is 25.6 GB/s versus 21.3 GB/s. ECC support is present on the AMD part but absent on the Intel part. The multiplier is unlocked on the Intel chip but locked on the AMD chip.

The market segments differ: the Opteron targets server and workstation deployments, while the Core i7-875K targets desktop use. Release dates show the Intel part launched earlier, on 2010-05-29, with the Opteron following on 2011-11-13. The launch MSRP for the Opteron was $125, while the Core i7-875K launched at $353. Both are end-of-life products. The part numbers are OS4226WLU6KGU for the AMD and SLBS2 for the Intel.

Where Each One Wins

The Opteron 4226 wins every benchmark recorded in the head-to-head comparison, so the data supports it as the stronger performer in both multi-threaded and single-threaded Cinebench workloads. The 5.8% to 6.2% margins are consistent, not anomalous. For applications like 3D rendering, video encoding, or scientific simulation that rely heavily on Cinebench-style multi-core throughput, the Opteron's higher scores in R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests indicate a tangible advantage. Its 6-core layout, even without SMT, appears to handle these workloads slightly better than the 4-core, 8-thread Intel design.

The Core i7-875K does not win any recorded benchmark, so the database offers no direct evidence of a workload where it takes the lead. However, its specifications suggest potential strengths in areas not captured by the Cinebench suite. The unlocked multiplier means users can adjust clocks beyond stock, which the locked Opteron cannot offer. The higher base and boost clocks, 2.93 GHz and 3.60 GHz versus 2.70 GHz and 3.10 GHz, provide a head start for lightly threaded tasks, even if the recorded single-core benchmarks show the Opteron ahead. The 8 threads could also benefit software that scales with thread count rather than physical cores, though the data does not show that here.

The Opteron's server pedigree includes ECC memory support and a wider memory bandwidth rating, which matters for error-sensitive workloads or memory-heavy server applications. The Intel part's desktop focus and consumer socket make it more typical for home builds, and its unlocked multiplier gives overclocking headroom that the Opteron lacks entirely.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to the AMD Opteron 4226 as the better performer in the tested workloads. It wins all five head-to-head Cinebench tests, with margins ranging from 5.8% to 6.2%. Its average benchmark score of 995 also edges past the Core i7-875K's 984. For anyone prioritizing raw Cinebench-style rendering performance, the Opteron is the clear choice based on the database results.

That said, the Intel Core i7-875K has its own rationale. The unlocked multiplier is a significant feature for users who intend to overclock, and the higher stock clocks provide a different starting point. The 8 threads may suit certain multitasking scenarios better, and the desktop market segment suggests it was designed for consumer workloads rather than server racks. The launch MSRP difference, $125 for the Opteron versus $353 for the Intel, is notable, though pricing considerations are not the focus of this analysis.

The verdict from the data: pick the AMD Opteron 4226 if benchmark scores are the primary criterion and the workload resembles Cinebench rendering. Pick the Intel Core i7-875K if overclocking flexibility or a desktop-oriented feature set matters more, accepting that the recorded benchmarks currently favor the AMD part in every measured test. Both sit at the 27th percentile of all CPUs, so neither is a top-tier performer by modern standards, but within this head-to-head comparison, the Opteron holds the advantage across all recorded metrics.