AMD Opteron 4274 HE vs Intel Core i3-7350K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a clear and consistent picture: the AMD Opteron 4274 HE wins every recorded test against the Intel Core i3-7350K. Across six head-to-head comparisons, the Opteron holds a lead that never dips below 15.6 percent. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Opteron scores 494 against the i3's 417, a 15.6 percent advantage. The single-core test in R15 shows a nearly identical gap: 69 for the Opteron versus 58 for the i3, a 15.9 percent margin. This pattern repeats in R20, where the Opteron's multi-core score of 2061 tops the i3's 1740, and its single-core score of 291 beats 245. The R23 results continue the trend, with the Opteron recording 4909 multi-core versus 4144, and 693 single-core versus 585. The deltas are remarkably uniform, ranging from 15.6 to 15.9 percent across all six tests. No single benchmark flatters the Intel part; the Opteron's dominance is absolute in this dataset.

The average benchmark scores reinforce the gap. The i3-7350K posts an average score of 1462, while the Opteron 4274 HE averages 1420. That the Opteron wins every head-to-head yet has a lower average benchmark score is curious. The explanation lies in the benchmark set: the Opteron was tested only in Cinebench workloads, while the i3 includes Geekbench results (3018 multi-core, 1488 single-core) that pull its average upward. When restricted to the shared Cinebench tests, the Opteron is consistently ahead. The percentile rankings are close, with the i3 at the 38th percentile of all CPUs and the Opteron at the 37th, suggesting these are comparable mid-pack parts overall, but the specific workload comparison favors AMD.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from vastly different design eras and philosophies. The Intel Core i3-7350K is a Kaby Lake part built on Intel's 14 nm process, featuring 2 cores and 4 threads with a base clock of 4.20 GHz and no boost clock. The AMD Opteron 4274 HE belongs to the Bulldozer architecture, codenamed Valencia, manufactured on GlobalFoundries' 32 nm process. It offers 8 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.50 GHz. The transistor counts and die sizes are not directly comparable in the data, but the Opteron lists 1,200 million transistors on a 315 mm² die, while the i3's figures are absent.

Cache configurations differ sharply. The i3 has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, plus 4 MB of shared L3. The Opteron lists 384 KB of L1 total, 8 MB of L2, and 8 MB of shared L3. The Opteron's larger aggregate cache is logical for an 8-core server part, but the per-core L2 allocation is smaller than the i3's. Memory support diverges too: the i3 uses DDR4 with dual-channel bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the Opteron uses DDR3 with dual-channel bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. ECC memory is supported on the Opteron but not on the i3. PCIe generations differ as well, with the i3 offering Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only) versus the Opteron's Gen 2. The i3 includes integrated Intel HD 630 graphics; the Opteron has none. The i3 has an unlocked multiplier, the Opteron does not. Socket compatibility is entirely separate: Intel Socket 1151 versus AMD Socket C32.

Where Each One Wins

The data shows the AMD Opteron 4274 HE wins every shared benchmark, but the use cases differ beyond raw scores. The Opteron targets the server and workstation market segment, with ECC memory support and a boost clock that reaches 3.50 GHz. Its 8 physical cores provide parallel throughput that the i3 cannot match, even with Hyper-Threading on 2 cores. For multi-threaded workloads such as Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, the Opteron's advantage is consistent at roughly 15.6 percent. The single-core tests also favor the Opteron, which is notable given its lower base clock; the boost clock of 3.50 GHz appears to close the gap in per-thread performance.

The Intel Core i3-7350K wins in platform characteristics. It supports DDR4 memory with higher theoretical bandwidth (38.4 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s), has a newer PCIe generation, and includes integrated graphics for systems without a discrete GPU. Its 4.20 GHz base clock is higher than the Opteron's boost clock, which could matter in bursty, latency-sensitive tasks that do not sustain full load. However, the recorded benchmarks do not include such tests, so this remains a qualitative inference from the clock data. The i3's unlocked multiplier and active production status suggest it remains available for new desktop builds, while the Opteron is end-of-life. For pure compute density in the tested Cinebench scenarios, the Opteron is the winner. For a modern desktop platform with faster memory and onboard graphics, the i3 has the edge in features, not in benchmark scores.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Opteron 4274 HE scores 4909, ahead of the Intel Core i3-7350K's 4144, a 15.6 percent difference.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-7350K win any benchmark in this comparison?

A: No. The Opteron 4274 HE wins all six head-to-head tests, with deltas ranging from 15.6 to 15.9 percent in favor of AMD.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The i3-7350K supports DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s dual-channel bandwidth, while the Opteron 4274 HE supports DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s dual-channel bandwidth.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Opteron 4274 HE supports ECC memory; the Intel Core i3-7350K does not.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The Opteron 4274 HE has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the i3-7350K has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores?

A: The i3-7350K averages 1462, and the Opteron 4274 HE averages 1420. The i3's higher average includes Geekbench results that the Opteron lacks.

The Verdict

The recorded data leaves no ambiguity: the AMD Opteron 4274 HE is the faster processor in every shared benchmark. Its 8 cores and 8 threads, combined with a 3.50 GHz boost clock, deliver a 15.6 to 15.9 percent advantage over the i3-7350K across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, in both single-core and multi-core tests. Anyone prioritizing raw compute throughput in these workloads should choose the Opteron. The server-oriented features, including ECC memory support and the Opteron 4000 series lineage, reinforce its suitability for workstation and server duties where data integrity matters.

The Intel Core i3-7350K remains relevant for a different set of priorities. It offers a modern 14 nm process, DDR4 memory with higher bandwidth, PCIe Gen 3, integrated graphics, and an unlocked multiplier. Its 4.20 GHz base clock is high, and its active production status means it is still available. For a desktop builder who values platform modernity, integrated graphics, and overclocking capability, the i3 is the sensible pick, even if the benchmarks do not favor it. The data also shows the i3 has a higher average benchmark score (1462 versus 1420) because it includes Geekbench results, suggesting it may perform better in applications outside the Cinebench suite, though those tests are not part of this comparison.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-7350K | AMD Opteron 4274 HE |

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

| Cores | 2 | 8 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 4.20 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | None | 3.50 GHz |

| TDP | 60 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket C32 |

| Architecture | Kaby Lake | Bulldozer |

| Codename | Kaby Lake | Valencia |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 32 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | Not listed | 1,200 million |

| Die Size | Not listed | 315 mm² |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 25.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 2 |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 630 | None |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2017-01-02 | 2011-11-13 |

| Launch MSRP | None listed | $377 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SR35B | OS4274OFU8KGU |