AMD Opteron 4284 vs AMD Opteron 6220 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent, though narrow, advantage for the AMD Opteron 6220 across every Cinebench test in the comparison. In the multicore Cinebench R15 test, the Opteron 6220 scores 407 against the Opteron 4284's 399, a delta of 2%. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern: 57 versus 56, a 1.8% margin. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore score for the Opteron 6220 is 1696, while the Opteron 4284 trails at 1665, again a 1.9% difference. The single-core R20 test shows the Opteron 6220 at 239 and the Opteron 4284 at 234, the largest proportional gap in the set at 2.1%.

The Cinebench R23 results reinforce the trend. In multicore, the Opteron 6220 records 4040 points, and the Opteron 4284 records 3965, a 1.9% gap. In single-core R23, the scores are 570 and 559 respectively, a 2% difference. Across all six head-to-head benchmarks, the Opteron 6220 wins six, and the Opteron 4284 wins zero. The margins are small, never exceeding 2.1%, which places these two processors in a very close performance band. The average benchmark score for the Opteron 6220 is 1168, while the Opteron 4284 sits at 1146, a difference of roughly 1.9% in the aggregate.

Benchmark results indicate that the Opteron 6220 holds a slight edge in every measured workload, but the practical significance of a 2% delta is minimal for most server tasks. The consistency of the win, however, suggests the Opteron 6220 has a fundamental advantage in clock-for-clock efficiency, likely stemming from its larger cache structure and higher transistor count, as detailed later.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the benchmark data, the AMD Opteron 6220 wins in all categories measured: multicore and single-core performance across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. There is no test in the database where the Opteron 4284 comes out ahead. For workloads that rely heavily on multi-threaded rendering, such as Cinebench R23 multicore, the Opteron 6220's 4040 points versus 3965 points gives it a 1.9% lead. For lightly threaded tasks, like single-core R20, the Opteron 6220's 239 points versus 234 points represents a 2.1% advantage, the largest relative win in the comparison.

The Opteron 4284, despite losing every benchmark, is not without merit in a broader system context. Its 95-watt TDP is substantially lower than the Opteron 6220's 115-watt TDP, which means it may be the preferred choice in power-constrained environments, though the database does not include power efficiency metrics. The Opteron 4284 also uses a dual-channel memory bus with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, whereas the Opteron 6220 uses quad-channel with 51.2 GB/s; for memory-bound workloads, the Opteron 6220's higher bandwidth could be decisive, but the benchmarks in the database do not isolate memory performance. In terms of pure CPU compute as measured by Cinebench, the Opteron 6220 is the winner in every recorded scenario.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Opteron 4284 has a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, while the AMD Opteron 6220 has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. Despite this, the Opteron 6220 still wins all single-core benchmarks, indicating its architectural advantages outweigh the 0.10 GHz clock deficit.

Q: How do the two processors compare in average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Opteron 6220 has an average benchmark score of 1168, and the AMD Opteron 4284 has an average benchmark score of 1146. The Opteron 6220's nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-3570S, scores 1169, a delta of -0.1%, while the Opteron 4284's nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-2600S, scores 1146 with a delta of 0%.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two in any single test?

A: The largest gap is in the Cinebench R20 single-core test, where the AMD Opteron 6220 scores 239 versus the Opteron 4284's 234, a delta of 2.1%. Every other test shows a delta between 1.8% and 2%.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Opteron 6220 and the AMD Opteron 4284 support ECC memory, as indicated in the database. They also both support DDR3 memory and PCIe Gen 2.

Q: Which processor has more L1 cache?

A: The AMD Opteron 6220 has 768 KB of L1 cache, while the AMD Opteron 4284 has 384 KB of L1 cache. The Opteron 6220 also has a larger L2 cache configuration: 2 MB per module versus 8 MB total for the Opteron 4284, though the total L2 capacity depends on the number of modules.

Q: What are the percentile rankings of these CPUs?

A: The AMD Opteron 6220 sits at the 33rd percentile among all CPUs, and the AMD Opteron 4284 sits at the 32nd percentile. This places both in the lower half of the performance distribution, consistent with their end-of-life status and 2011 release date.

Specification Differences

The two processors share several core specifications: both have 8 cores and 8 threads, both have a base clock of 3.00 GHz, both are built on a 32 nm process by GlobalFoundries, both support DDR3 memory with ECC, both use PCIe Gen 2, and both are locked (multiplier not unlocked). The differences are notable in several areas.

The AMD Opteron 6220 has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, while the AMD Opteron 4284 boosts to 3.70 GHz. The TDP differs significantly: the Opteron 6220 is rated at 115 watts, and the Opteron 4284 is rated at 95 watts. The socket is different: the Opteron 6220 uses AMD Socket G34, and the Opteron 4284 uses AMD Socket C32. Memory channels and bandwidth diverge: the Opteron 6220 offers quad-channel memory with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the Opteron 4284 offers dual-channel memory with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth.

Transistor count and die size are also distinct. The Opteron 6220 has 2,400 million transistors on a dual-die design of 2x 315 mm², while the Opteron 4284 has 1,200 million transistors on a single 315 mm² die. The L1 cache is 768 KB for the Opteron 6220 versus 384 KB for the Opteron 4284. The L2 cache is listed as 2 MB per module for the Opteron 6220 and 8 MB total for the Opteron 4284. The L3 cache is 8 MB per die for the Opteron 6220 and 8 MB shared for the Opteron 4284. The launch MSRP for the Opteron 6220 is $523, and for the Opteron 4284 it is $316. The part numbers also differ: OS6220WKT8GGU for the Opteron 6220 and OS4284WLU8KGU for the Opteron 4284.

Architecture Differences

Both processors use AMD's Bulldozer architecture, but they come from different codenames and generations. The AMD Opteron 6220 is from the Opteron 6000 series, codenamed Interlagos, and its generation is listed as Opteron (Interlagos). The AMD Opteron 4284 is from the Opteron 4000 series, codenamed Valencia, with generation Opteron (Valencia). Both are manufactured on a 32 nm process by GlobalFoundries, but the transistor counts differ by a factor of two: 2,400 million for the Opteron 6220 versus 1,200 million for the Opteron 4284. The die size for the Opteron 6220 is 2x 315 mm², indicating two dies, while the Opteron 4284 uses a single 315 mm² die.

The cache hierarchy differs in structure. The Opteron 6220 has 768 KB of L1 cache and an L2 cache described as 2 MB per module, which, with 8 cores likely arranged in modules, results in a larger aggregate L2 presence. The Opteron 4284 has 384 KB of L1 cache and 8 MB of L2 cache. Both have 8 MB of L3 cache, but the Opteron 6220's is per die (and with two dies, the total L3 could be 16 MB, though the database does not specify a total), while the Opteron 4284's is shared. The memory controller differs as well: the Opteron 6220 supports quad-channel DDR3 with 51.2 GB/s, and the Opteron 4284 supports dual-channel DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s. Both lack integrated graphics and are end-of-life products released on the same date, November 13, 2011. The Opteron 6220 is a server/workstation part with the G34 socket, and the Opteron 4284 is also a server/workstation part but with the C32 socket, which typically targets dual-socket or lower-power configurations.

The Verdict

The data points clearly to the AMD Opteron 6220 as the stronger performer in raw CPU compute. It wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, with deltas ranging from 1.8% to 2.1%. Its average benchmark score of 1168 is 22 points higher than the Opteron 4284's 1146. For applications that are heavily dependent on single-threaded or multi-threaded Cinebench-style workloads, the Opteron 6220 is the better choice. Its quad-channel memory bus and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth also give it a theoretical advantage in memory-intensive server tasks, though the database does not include memory-specific benchmarks.

The AMD Opteron 4284, however, has its own case. Its 95-watt TDP is 20 watts lower than the Opteron 6220's 115 watts, which can translate to lower cooling requirements and power bills in dense server deployments. Its boost clock is 0.10 GHz higher, but that does not translate into a benchmark win. The Opteron 4284 also has a lower launch MSRP of $316 versus $523, which may have made it attractive for cost-sensitive builds at launch, though pricing is not a factor in current benchmark analysis.

Who should pick which? For maximum compute performance as measured by the database, the Opteron 6220 is the definitive winner. For scenarios where power draw is the primary constraint and a 2% performance loss is acceptable, the Opteron 4284's lower TDP makes it a viable alternative. The percentile rankings, 33rd for the Opteron 6220 and 32nd for the Opteron 4284, confirm that both are near the bottom of the performance distribution among all CPUs, so neither should be chosen for modern high-end workloads. The data suggests that within this specific comparison, the Opteron 6220 is the superior processor, but the margins are so small that the decision may ultimately hinge on platform factors like socket type, memory channel support, and power envelope rather than benchmark scores alone.