AMD Opteron 4280 vs Intel Core i7-2710QE Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark tests in this comparison?

A: The AMD Opteron 4280 wins all five recorded head-to-head Cinebench tests. The Intel Core i7-2710QE does not win a single test in the database.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two CPUs?

A: The AMD Opteron 4280 has an average benchmark score of 1107, while the Intel Core i7-2710QE scores 1096. That is a 1.0% difference in favor of the AMD part.

Q: How do the two processors compare in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test?

A: The AMD Opteron 4280 scores 3828, while the Intel Core i7-2710QE scores 3186. The AMD processor leads by 20.2% in this test.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Opteron 4280 has a boost clock of 3.50 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-2710QE has a boost clock of 3.00 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Opteron 4280 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-2710QE does not.

Q: What are the release dates for these two chips?

A: The AMD Opteron 4280 was released on November 13, 2011. The Intel Core i7-2710QE was released earlier, on January 2, 2011.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 4280 is the clear winner across every benchmark recorded in the database. However, the context matters: this is a server-class processor with 8 cores and a 95 W TDP, facing a mobile quad-core chip with a 45 W TDP. The Opteron wins on raw compute throughput, but the Intel part has its own territory.

The Opteron 4280 wins in every multi-core scenario. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 385 against 321, a 19.9% advantage. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, it scores 1607 against 1338, a 20.1% lead. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 3828 against 3186, a 20.2% margin. The pattern is consistent: the AMD chip delivers roughly 20% more multi-threaded performance across all three Cinebench generations.

The single-core results also favor the AMD processor, though the margin is similar. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Opteron scores 226 against 188, a 20.2% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 540 against 449, a 20.3% advantage. This is notable because single-core performance is typically an Intel strength, but the Opteron's higher boost clock of 3.50 GHz against 3.00 GHz appears to offset any architectural advantages.

The Intel Core i7-2710QE wins zero tests in this comparison. Its strengths lie elsewhere: it is a mobile processor with integrated graphics (Intel HD 3000), a much lower TDP of 45 W, and a smaller die size of 216 mm². For a laptop or embedded system where power and space are constrained, the Intel chip is the practical choice. The data shows no benchmark where it outperforms the Opteron, but the use case is entirely different.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Opteron 4280 uses the Bulldozer architecture, codenamed Valencia, built on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It features 8 cores and 8 threads, with a transistor count of 1,200 million on a 315 mm² die. The cache hierarchy consists of 384 KB L1, 8 MB L2, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The processor is designed for the server and workstation segment, using AMD Socket C32.

The Intel Core i7-2710QE uses the Sandy Bridge architecture, built on a 32 nm process at Intel. It features 4 cores and 8 threads (with Hyper-Threading), with a transistor count of 1,160 million on a 216 mm² die. The cache layout is different: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip is a mobile part, using Intel Socket G2 (988B).

The architectural differences are significant. Bulldozer uses a modular design where pairs of cores share certain resources, which is why the Opteron has 8 cores and 8 threads rather than 8 cores and 16 threads. Sandy Bridge uses a more traditional per-core design with Hyper-Threading, allowing 4 cores to handle 8 threads. The cache structures reflect these design philosophies: the Opteron has a larger total L2 (8 MB) but shared L3 (8 MB), while the Intel chip has per-core L1 and L2 but a smaller shared L3 (6 MB).

The Opteron also supports ECC memory, which is critical for server reliability, while the Intel mobile chip does not. The Intel part includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 3000), which the Opteron lacks entirely. These are fundamentally different tools for different jobs.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification. The AMD Opteron 4280 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i7-2710QE has 4 cores and 8 threads. The base clocks are 2.80 GHz for the AMD chip and 2.10 GHz for the Intel chip. The boost clocks are 3.50 GHz and 3.00 GHz respectively.

The TDP difference is substantial: 95 W for the Opteron versus 45 W for the Intel mobile part. The sockets are incompatible: AMD Socket C32 versus Intel Socket G2 (988B). The AMD chip supports DDR3 memory with dual-channel bus and 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel chip's memory support and bandwidth are not recorded in the database. ECC memory is supported on the AMD part but not on the Intel part.

The Intel Core i7-2710QE has integrated graphics (Intel HD 3000), while the AMD Opteron 4280 has none. The AMD chip uses PCIe Gen 2, while the Intel chip's PCIe generation is not listed. The die sizes differ significantly: 315 mm² for AMD versus 216 mm² for Intel. Transistor counts are close: 1,200 million versus 1,160 million. The cache hierarchies are different as noted above.

The market segments are distinct: the Opteron is a server/workstation part, while the Core i7-2710QE is a mobile part. Both are end-of-life products. The AMD chip has a launch MSRP of $255, while the Intel chip has no recorded launch MSRP. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records five Cinebench comparisons, and the AMD Opteron 4280 wins all of them with remarkably consistent margins. The largest advantage is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Opteron scores 540 against 449, a 20.3% lead. The smallest margin is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the Opteron scores 385 against 321, a 19.9% lead.

In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Opteron scores 1607 against 1338, a 20.1% lead. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 226 against 188, a 20.2% lead. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 3828 against 3186, a 20.2% lead. The consistency of these margins is striking: across five different tests spanning three Cinebench generations, the delta ranges only from 19.9% to 20.3%.

The multi-core results align with the core count difference. The Opteron has twice as many physical cores (8 versus 4), though both chips support 8 threads. The 20% advantage in multi-core tests suggests that the Opteron's Bulldozer design, while efficient in some respects, does not double performance per core compared to Sandy Bridge. The Intel chip's Hyper-Threading helps close the gap.

The single-core results are more surprising. The Opteron leads by 20.2% in Cinebench R20 single-core and 20.3% in Cinebench R23 single-core. This is counter to typical expectations, where Intel's Sandy Bridge architecture usually excels in single-threaded workloads. The Opteron's higher boost clock (3.50 GHz versus 3.00 GHz) is likely the deciding factor, providing a 16.7% clock advantage that translates into a roughly 20% performance advantage.

Overall, the data paints a clear picture: the AMD Opteron 4280 is the faster processor in every recorded benchmark, with consistent 20% margins. The Intel Core i7-2710QE is not competitive on raw performance, but its lower TDP, integrated graphics, and mobile socket make it a different class of product. The benchmarks confirm the Opteron's server-grade compute capability, while the Intel chip's value lies in its mobility and power efficiency rather than its Cinebench scores.