AMD Opteron 4284 vs Intel Core i3-4370 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core Cinebench tests?

A: The AMD Opteron 4284 wins every recorded multi-core benchmark. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 399 against the Intel Core i3-4370's 330, a 20.9% advantage. The margin is nearly identical in Cinebench R20 multi-core (1665 vs 1379, 20.7% ahead) and Cinebench R23 multi-core (3965 vs 3284, 20.7% ahead).

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-4370 win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison?

A: No. The database records five head-to-head benchmark comparisons, and the AMD Opteron 4284 wins all five. The Intel Core i3-4370 has zero wins in this comparison set.

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

A: The AMD Opteron 4284 leads in single-core tests as well. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 234 versus 194 for the Intel part, a 20.6% difference. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Opteron scores 559 against 463, a 20.7% edge.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The AMD Opteron 4284 has an average benchmark score of 1146, while the Intel Core i3-4370 averages 1130. Both processors sit at the 32nd percentile against all CPUs in the database.

Q: Which processor has higher core and thread counts?

A: The AMD Opteron 4284 has 8 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core i3-4370 has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Opteron's core count is four times higher, and its thread count is double.

Q: What are the nearest rivals for each processor in the database?

A: The AMD Opteron 4284 sits closest to the Intel Core i7-2600S (0% delta, same average score of 1146) and the Intel Core i7-3612QE (-0.1%). The Intel Core i3-4370 matches the Intel Pentium Gold G5500 (0% delta, average score 1130) and sits near the Intel Core i5-4690T (+0.1%).

Architecture Differences

The AMD Opteron 4284 and Intel Core i3-4370 come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Opteron is a server-class part built on AMD's Bulldozer architecture, codenamed Valencia. It uses a 32 nm process from GlobalFoundries, packs 1,200 million transistors onto a 315 mm² die, and runs on the AMD Socket C32 platform. The Core i3-4370 is a desktop chip based on Intel's Haswell architecture, manufactured on a 22 nm process at Intel's own fabs. It integrates 1,400 million transistors into a much smaller 177 mm² die and uses the Intel Socket 1150.

Core configuration is the most striking difference. The Opteron 4284 provides 8 cores and 8 threads, a pure octa-core design. The Core i3-4370 offers only 2 cores but enables 4 threads through Hyper-Threading. Clock behavior also differs: the Opteron has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, while the Core i3 runs at a fixed 3.80 GHz with no boost clock listed.

Cache hierarchies reflect their intended workloads. The Opteron 4284 carries 384 KB of L1 cache, 8 MB of L2 cache, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i3-4370 has smaller per-core allocations: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Opteron's larger cache pool suits multi-threaded server tasks, while the Core i3's compact cache design favors lower latency for desktop workloads.

Memory and platform features diverge sharply. Both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel configurations, but the Opteron 4284 lists a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s and supports ECC memory, a critical feature for server reliability. The Core i3-4370 does not support ECC and has no listed memory bandwidth figure. PCIe generation also differs: the Opteron uses Gen 2, while the Core i3 uses Gen 3, giving the Intel part newer I/O capabilities.

The Opteron 4284 has no integrated graphics. The Core i3-4370 includes Intel HD 4600 graphics, making it a self-contained solution for desktops without a discrete GPU. The Opteron targets server and workstation deployments where a separate graphics card is expected.

Power characteristics show the Opteron's server heritage. It has a TDP of 95 W, while the Core i3-4370 draws only 54 W. The Opteron's higher power envelope supports its 8-core design and larger cache, while the Core i3's lower TDP aligns with mainstream desktop efficiency.

Release timing places these chips in different eras. The Opteron 4284 launched in November 2011 and is now end-of-life. The Core i3-4370 arrived in July 2014. The Opteron's part number is OS4284WLU8KGU, and it had a launch MSRP of $316. The Core i3-4370 has no launch MSRP listed.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a consistent pattern: the AMD Opteron 4284 outperforms the Intel Core i3-4370 in every recorded test, with margins clustered tightly around 20.7%.

The multi-core results are the most telling. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Opteron scores 399 against 330 for the Core i3, a 20.9% lead. This advantage persists in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Opteron posts 1665 versus 1379, a 20.7% difference. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the same story: 3965 for the Opteron against 3284 for the Core i3, again a 20.7% gap. The Opteron's 8 physical cores provide a clear throughput advantage over the Core i3's 2 cores and 4 threads.

Single-core performance follows the same direction, which is more surprising given the Core i3's higher base clock of 3.80 GHz. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Opteron scores 234, while the Core i3 manages 194. That is a 20.6% advantage for the Opteron. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 559 for the Opteron and 463 for the Core i3, a 20.7% margin. Despite the Core i3's clock advantage, the Opteron's architecture delivers higher single-threaded scores in these tests.

The delta percentages are remarkably consistent across all five benchmarks, ranging from 20.6% to 20.9%. This uniformity suggests the performance gap is structural rather than workload-specific. The Opteron 4284 wins 5 benchmarks, and the Core i3-4370 wins 0.

Context from the nearest rivals clarifies where each chip sits in the broader landscape. The Opteron 4284's average score of 1146 ties the Intel Core i7-2600S exactly (0% delta) and trails the Intel Core i7-3612QE by just 0.1%. The Core i3-4370's average of 1130 matches the Intel Pentium Gold G5500 (0% delta) and sits within 0.1% of the Intel Core i5-4690T and Intel Core i7-3612QM. Both processors occupy the 32nd percentile among all CPUs, indicating they serve similar mid-range positions despite their very different architectures.

The Core i3-4370's benchmark list omits Cinebench R15 single-core, so no head-to-head comparison exists for that specific test. The recorded data covers the remaining five tests, and the Opteron wins all of them.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice for different use cases. The AMD Opteron 4284 is the stronger performer in every recorded benchmark, with a 20.7% average advantage across the head-to-head tests. Its 8 cores and 8 threads deliver substantial multi-threaded throughput, and its single-core scores also exceed the Core i3-4370 despite the latter's higher clock speed.

Server and workstation users should favor the Opteron 4284. It supports ECC memory, offers 25.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth, and carries 8 MB of L3 cache. Its end-of-life status may limit new deployments, but the benchmark data shows it remains competitive. The Core i3-4370 cannot match the Opteron's core count or server-oriented features.

Desktop users building a system without a discrete GPU should consider the Core i3-4370. Its integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics eliminates the need for a separate graphics card, and its 54 W TDP keeps power requirements modest. The Core i3's Gen 3 PCIe support also provides newer I/O connectivity. However, the benchmark data shows it trails the Opteron in all CPU-bound tests.

The Opteron 4284's launch MSRP was $316, though pricing considerations are secondary to its performance profile. The Core i3-4370 has no listed launch MSRP.

Neither processor is unlocked for overclocking. Both are locked parts, so the performance shown in the database represents their peak capabilities.

For users who prioritize raw CPU performance across both multi-core and single-core workloads, the AMD Opteron 4284 is the data-backed choice. For users who need integrated graphics and lower power draw, the Intel Core i3-4370 offers a more complete desktop package, albeit with lower benchmark scores.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Opteron 4284 | Intel Core i3-4370 |

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

| Cores | 8 | 2 |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base clock | 3.00 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.70 GHz | None |

| TDP | 95 W | 54 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket C32 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Bulldozer | Haswell |

| Codename | Valencia | Haswell |

| Process node | 32 nm | 22 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

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

| Die size | 315 mm² | 177 mm² |

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

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

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

| Memory bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | Not listed |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe version | Gen 2 | Gen 3 |

| Integrated graphics | None | Intel HD 4600 |

| Market segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Production status | End-of-life | Not listed |

| Release date | November 2011 | July 2014 |

| Launch MSRP | $316 | Not listed |

| Part number | OS4284WLU8KGU | Not listed |

The two processors share several traits: both use DDR3 memory, both support dual-channel memory configurations, both are locked (multiplier unlocked: false), and neither has a v-cache 3D option. The Opteron 4284 and Core i3-4370 both sit at the 32nd percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores differ by only 16 points (1146 vs 1130). The Opteron's nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-2600S, matches its average score exactly, while the Core i3-4370's closest match is the Intel Pentium Gold G5500.