AMD Opteron 4280 vs Intel Core i5-3450S Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data presents an unusually one-sided picture. Across the six Cinebench comparisons available in the database, the AMD Opteron 4280 wins every single test, both multi-core and single-core. The Intel Core i5-3450S does not register a single victory in the head-to-head results, though its scores are close enough that the margins are rarely dramatic.

The Opteron 4280's advantage is consistent but narrow. In multi-core workloads, the AMD part leads by 2.1% to 2.2% depending on the Cinebench version. In single-core tests, the lead ranges from 1.8% to 2.1%. This pattern suggests that the Opteron 4280 is not fundamentally faster in any one dimension, but rather holds a small, uniform edge across all rendering workloads. The data does not indicate that the Intel part is better suited for any particular use case within the tested benchmarks.

The use-case split is therefore straightforward: for Cinebench rendering workloads, whether multi-threaded or single-threaded, the Opteron 4280 is the stronger choice. The i5-3450S, despite its lower thread count and different architecture, remains competitive but always trails. For users prioritizing the exact workloads captured in these six tests, the AMD processor is the clear winner.

However, the broader context matters. Both processors sit at the 31st percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy essentially the same performance tier. The Opteron 4280 belongs to the server and workstation segment, while the i5-3450S is a desktop part. The benchmark results show that the server chip does not dominate the desktop chip in the way that the product categories might suggest. Instead, the Opteron 4280's wins are measured in single-digit percentage points, not large margins.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divergence between these two processors is substantial. The AMD Opteron 4280 uses the Bulldozer architecture on the Valencia codename, built on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The Intel Core i5-3450S uses the Ivy Bridge architecture, also named Ivy Bridge as its codename, built on a 22 nm process at Intel. The process node difference is significant: 32 nm versus 22 nm, which typically implies better power efficiency and higher transistor density for the Intel part.

The transistor counts tell part of the story. The Opteron 4280 contains 1,200 million transistors on a die size of 315 mm². The i5-3450S contains 1,400 million transistors on a die size of 160 mm². Intel's smaller die packs more transistors, a direct consequence of the more advanced 22 nm process. The AMD part's larger die with fewer transistors reflects the older process technology.

Core and thread counts differ sharply. The Opteron 4280 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-3450S has 4 cores and 4 threads. The AMD chip doubles the core count, yet it only manages a single-digit percentage lead in multi-core benchmarks. This indicates that the Bulldozer architecture's integer cores are individually weaker than Ivy Bridge's cores, and the extra cores do not scale into proportional performance gains.

Cache hierarchies are structured differently. The Opteron 4280 has 384 KB of L1 cache, 8 MB of L2 cache, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-3450S has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part offers more total cache, but the Intel part's per-core L1 and L2 allocations are larger when normalized to the core count.

Memory support also diverges. Both support DDR3 and dual-channel memory buses. The Opteron 4280 lists a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-3450S does not have a recorded bandwidth figure. The AMD part supports ECC memory; the Intel part does not. The i5-3450S includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 2500), while the Opteron 4280 has no integrated graphics. PCIe generations differ: the Opteron 4280 uses Gen 2, while the i5-3450S uses Gen 3 with 16 lanes on the CPU.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The six recorded head-to-head benchmarks all favor the AMD Opteron 4280. The margins are consistent, which makes the results easier to interpret. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Opteron scores 385 against the i5's 377, a 2.1% advantage. In R15 single-core, the Opteron scores 54 against 53, a 1.9% lead. These are the smallest margins in the dataset.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the Opteron scores 1607 in multi-core against 1573, a 2.2% advantage. In single-core, the scores are 226 and 222, a 1.8% lead. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R23: multi-core scores are 3828 and 3747, a 2.2% advantage, while single-core scores are 540 and 529, a 2.1% lead.

The largest single win for the Opteron is 2.2% in both R20 multi-core and R23 multi-core. The smallest is 1.8% in R20 single-core. The consistency across all six tests is notable. It suggests that the Opteron's advantage is not workload-specific but rather a general property of its configuration in the Cinebench rendering engine.

The i5-3450S also has Geekbench results recorded in the database: 1712 in multi-core and 581 in single-core. The Opteron 4280 does not have Geekbench scores in the dataset, so a direct comparison in that benchmark is not possible. The Geekbench numbers are worth noting for the Intel part alone, but they do not factor into the head-to-head comparison.

Given that the Opteron wins all six head-to-head tests, the database records 6 wins for the AMD part and 0 for Intel. The average benchmark score reflects this: the Opteron has an average score of 1107, while the i5-3450S averages 1099. That 8-point difference corresponds to roughly 0.7% on average, which is smaller than the individual Cinebench margins because the Geekbench scores are included in the Intel average but not the AMD average.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights the specification fields where the two processors differ, based solely on the recorded data.

| Specification | AMD Opteron 4280 | Intel Core i5-3450S |

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

| Series | Opteron 4000 series | null |

| Cores | 8 | 4 |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| TDP | 95 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket C32 | Intel Socket 1155 |

| Architecture | Bulldozer | Ivy Bridge |

| Codename | Valencia | Ivy Bridge |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 22 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

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

| Die Size | 315 mm² | 160 mm² |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 8 MB shared | 6 MB shared |

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | null |

| ECC Memory | true | false |

| PCIe | Gen 2 | Gen 3, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | null | Intel HD 2500 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2011-11-13 | 2012-04-28 |

| Launch MSRP | $255 | null |

| Part Number | OS4280WLU8KGU | SR0P2 |

The TDP difference is substantial: 95 W for the Opteron versus 65 W for the i5. The Intel part draws less power while offering competitive performance, which reflects its newer process node. The market segments also differ: the Opteron targets servers and workstations, while the i5 targets desktop systems. The Opteron's ECC support and lack of integrated graphics align with server expectations, while the i5's integrated graphics and lower TDP suit desktop use.

The release dates differ by roughly five months, with the Opteron launching in November 2011 and the i5 in April 2012. The Opteron has a recorded launch MSRP of $255, while the i5 has no launch MSRP in the database. Both processors have locked multipliers, so neither supports overclocking via multiplier adjustment.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Opteron 4280 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-3450S has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-3450S have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the i5-3450S includes Intel HD 2500 integrated graphics. The AMD Opteron 4280 has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the AMD Opteron 4280 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-3450S does not support ECC.

Q: How much faster is the AMD Opteron 4280 in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Opteron 4280 scores 3828 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the i5-3450S scores 3747. This gives the AMD part a 2.2% advantage.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The AMD Opteron 4280 has a TDP of 95 W, while the Intel Core i5-3450S has a TDP of 65 W. The Intel part consumes 30 W less.

Q: Which processor has a smaller die size?

A: The Intel Core i5-3450S has a die size of 160 mm², which is smaller than the AMD Opteron 4280's 315 mm² die. The Intel part also uses a 22 nm process versus AMD's 32 nm process.