AMD Opteron 4280 vs Intel Core i7-2860QM Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The AMD Opteron 4280 has 8 physical cores, while the Intel Core i7-2860QM has 4 physical cores. However, the Intel chip supports 8 threads through Hyper-Threading, matching the Opteron's thread count.

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

A: The Intel Core i7-2860QM wins every recorded single-core benchmark, though by narrow margins. In Cinebench R15 single-core, both score 54, while in R20 the Intel leads 229 to 226 (1.3% advantage) and in R23 it leads 546 to 540 (1.1% advantage).

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-2860QM boosts to 3.60 GHz, while the AMD Opteron 4280 boosts to 3.50 GHz. The Opteron has a higher base clock at 2.80 GHz versus 2.50 GHz for the Intel.

Q: What is the thermal design power difference?

A: The Intel Core i7-2860QM has a TDP of 45 watts, compared to 95 watts for the AMD Opteron 4280. The Intel chip draws less than half the power budget of the AMD server processor.

Q: Does the AMD Opteron 4280 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the AMD Opteron 4280 supports ECC memory and uses DDR3 memory with a dual-channel bus and 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i7-2860QM does not support ECC memory and its memory support details are not recorded in the database.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i7-2860QM includes Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics. The AMD Opteron 4280 has no integrated graphics, which is typical for a server/workstation part.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-2860QM is built on the Sandy Bridge architecture using a 32 nm process at Intel's foundry. It packs 1,160 million transistors into a 216 mm² die. The AMD Opteron 4280 uses the Bulldozer architecture (codename Valencia) on the same 32 nm node, but manufactured by GlobalFoundries, with 1,200 million transistors on a much larger 315 mm² die.

The core configurations diverge significantly. Intel uses 4 cores with 8 threads, relying on Hyper-Threading to reach the thread count. AMD uses 8 physical cores with 8 threads, no simultaneous multithreading. The cache layouts also differ: Intel provides 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, plus 8 MB shared L3. AMD provides 384 KB total L1, 8 MB L2, and 8 MB shared L3.

The market positioning is fundamentally different. The Intel Core i7-2860QM targets mobile systems with a 45 W TDP, Socket G2 (988B), and integrated HD 3000 graphics. The AMD Opteron 4280 is a server/workstation processor for Socket C32, rated at 95 W, with ECC memory support, DDR3 memory, PCIe Gen 2, and no integrated graphics. Intel's chip was released earlier, in September 2011, while AMD's arrived in November 2011.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-2860QM wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons in the database. Its advantages are consistent but small, ranging from 1.1% to 1.3% depending on the test. The largest margins come in Cinebench R15 multicore and R20 single-core, both at 1.3%.

The AMD Opteron 4280 does not win any recorded benchmark. However, its strengths lie outside the Cinebench suite. The data shows it offers ECC memory support, a higher base clock of 2.80 GHz, and a full 8 physical cores. For workloads that favor raw physical core count over per-thread efficiency, the Opteron's architecture may provide benefits not captured in these specific tests. The Intel part, meanwhile, delivers competitive performance at a much lower 45 W TDP, making it the clear choice for mobile or power-constrained environments.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-2860QM | AMD Opteron 4280 |

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

| Cores | 4 | 8 |

| Threads | 8 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 2.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 95 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket G2 (988B) | AMD Socket C32 |

| Architecture | Sandy Bridge | Bulldozer |

| Codename | Sandy Bridge | Valencia |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 1,160 million | 1,200 million |

| Die Size | 216 mm² | 315 mm² |

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

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

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

| Memory Support | Not recorded | DDR3 |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 25.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Not recorded | Gen 2 |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 3000 | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2011-09-03 | 2011-11-13 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $255 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data covers six Cinebench tests, and the Intel Core i7-2860QM wins every single one. The margins are tight throughout, which suggests the two processors are closely matched in rendering workloads despite their architectural differences.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, Intel scores 390 versus AMD's 385, a 1.3% advantage. The single-core R15 test is an exact tie at 54 points each, with the database awarding the win to Intel based on the recorded delta of 0%. Moving to Cinebench R20, Intel leads 1626 to 1607 in multicore (1.2%) and 229 to 226 in single-core (1.3%). In Cinebench R23, Intel continues its sweep: 3873 to 3828 in multicore (1.2%) and 546 to 540 in single-core (1.1%).

The consistency of these results is notable. Intel's advantage holds across every generation of the Cinebench test, from R15 through R23, and in both single-core and multicore workloads. The largest single margin is just 1.3%, meaning these are not lopsided victories. The Opteron's 8 physical cores cannot overcome the Sandy Bridge architecture's superior per-core efficiency, despite the AMD chip's higher base clock.

Looking at the broader database context, the Intel Core i7-2860QM holds a 32nd percentile ranking among all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 1120. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Athlon 240GE at 1121 (0% delta) and the Intel Xeon D-1518 at 1121 (-0.1%). The AMD Opteron 4280 sits at the 31st percentile with an average score of 1107, placing it alongside the AMD PRO A12-8870 at 1107 (0% delta) and the AMD Opteron 3280 at 1106 (0.1% delta). The 13-point gap in average benchmark scores between the two processors aligns with the consistent, if modest, Intel lead seen in the head-to-head results.

The Verdict

The benchmark data delivers a clear verdict: the Intel Core i7-2860QM outperforms the AMD Opteron 4280 in every recorded test. The advantages are uniform across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, in both single-core and multicore workloads, with margins between 1.1% and 1.3%. The Intel chip also achieves this with a 45 W TDP, less than half the 95 W power envelope of the AMD part.

For mobile or power-sensitive deployments, the Intel Core i7-2860QM is the obvious selection. It offers integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics, a higher boost clock of 3.60 GHz, and superior benchmark results across the board. Its 4 cores and 8 threads are sufficient to match or beat the Opteron's 8 physical cores in all measured Cinebench workloads.

For server or workstation environments where ECC memory is a requirement, the AMD Opteron 4280 has a distinct feature advantage. It supports ECC memory, provides DDR3 support with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, and uses PCIe Gen 2. Its higher base clock of 2.80 GHz and 8 physical cores may also appeal to specific workloads that do not align with Cinebench's rendering focus. The Opteron's launch MSRP was $255.

The database places these processors nearly adjacent in performance: the Intel chip at the 32nd percentile with an average score of 1120, the AMD chip at the 31st percentile with 1107. The practical difference is small, but the data consistently favors Intel. The choice ultimately comes down to platform requirements. If ECC memory support and server features matter more than a marginal performance lead, the Opteron 4280 serves its purpose. For everything measured in these benchmarks, the Intel Core i7-2860QM is the better performer.