AMD Opteron 4284 vs Intel Core i5-3570T Comparison

The AMD Opteron 4284 and Intel Core i5-3570T represent two very different approaches to processing power, one aimed at server workloads and the other at desktop efficiency. While both land at the 32nd percentile in the global CPU benchmark distribution, their performance profiles diverge sharply in head-to-head testing. The data shows a consistent, decisive advantage for the AMD part across every shared benchmark, with the Opteron winning all five head-to-head comparisons. However, the nature of those wins and the architectural context behind them tell a more nuanced story about which processor suits which task.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite provides a clear picture of the performance gap. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD Opteron 4284 scores 399 against the Intel Core i5-3570T’s 331, a 20.5% advantage. This pattern repeats almost identically across the newer Cinebench versions. In R20 multicore, the Opteron posts 1665 versus 1383, a 20.4% lead. The R23 multicore result follows suit: 3965 for AMD compared to 3293 for Intel, again a 20.4% margin. The consistency is striking — across three generations of the Cinebench renderer, the Opteron’s multicore advantage hovers almost exactly at 20%.

The single-core results are equally one-sided, though the margins are slightly smaller. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Opteron scores 234 against 195 for the Intel chip, a 20% difference. The R23 single-core test shows 559 versus 465, a 20.2% advantage for AMD. These are substantial single-threaded wins, which is notable because Intel’s Ivy Bridge architecture is generally expected to have superior per-core efficiency. Yet the data shows the Opteron, with its higher base clock of 3.00 GHz versus 2.30 GHz, simply outmuscles the i5-3570T in these tests.

The overall benchmark averages reflect this dominance. The Opteron’s average benchmark score is 1146, while the i5-3570T averages 1136. The nearest rival data places the Opteron exactly level with the Intel Core i7-2600S at 1146, and just 0.2% ahead of the AMD Opteron 4332 HE. Meanwhile, the i5-3570T sits precisely even with the Intel Core i5-2550K at 1136. These comparable average scores obscure the fact that the head-to-head Cinebench results are so lopsided; the averages include different test suites, but the shared tests all favor AMD.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different foundations. The AMD Opteron 4284 uses the Bulldozer architecture, codenamed Valencia, manufactured on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries. This is a server-class part with 8 cores and 8 threads, designed for multi-threaded workloads. The Intel Core i5-3570T uses the Ivy Bridge architecture on Intel’s 22 nm process, with just 4 cores and 4 threads — a desktop part prioritizing efficiency.

The transistor counts reveal different design philosophies. The Opteron packs 1,200 million transistors into a 315 mm² die, while the i5-3570T fits 1,400 million transistors into a much smaller 160 mm² die. Intel’s denser 22 nm process allows more transistors in half the die area, yet the AMD chip still wins benchmarks. This suggests the Opteron’s wider core count and higher clock speeds compensate for the less advanced process node.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The Opteron has 384 KB of L1 cache, 8 MB of L2 cache, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-3570T has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. The Opteron’s L2 cache is especially large, which likely benefits multi-threaded server workloads. Memory support also diverges: the Opteron supports ECC memory with a dual-channel DDR3 bus delivering 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the i5-3570T supports DDR3 but lacks ECC and has no listed memory bandwidth figure.

Connectivity and features further separate them. The Opteron uses PCIe Gen 2, while the i5-3570T supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Intel part includes integrated graphics in the form of Intel HD 2500; the Opteron has none, which is expected for a server processor. The Opteron is marked as end-of-life and targets the server/workstation segment, while the i5-3570T is a desktop processor. The AMD chip uses Socket C32, the Intel chip uses Socket 1155. Both lack an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Opteron 4284 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-3570T has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Opteron’s double core count directly contributes to its multicore benchmark wins.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Opteron scores 3965, which is 20.4% higher than the i5-3570T’s 3293. This is the largest absolute score gap in the head-to-head data.

Q: Does the Intel part have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i5-3570T includes Intel HD 2500 integrated graphics. The AMD Opteron 4284 has no integrated graphics, reflecting its server-oriented design.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the AMD Opteron 4284 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-3570T does not, which is a key distinction for reliability-sensitive server applications.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Opteron averages 1146, and the i5-3570T averages 1136. The Opteron is 0.9% higher, but both sit at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs.

Q: What is the process node for each processor?

A: The AMD Opteron 4284 uses a 32 nm process, while the Intel Core i5-3570T uses a smaller 22 nm process. Despite the smaller node, the Intel chip loses in all head-to-head benchmarks.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. The AMD Opteron 4284 has 8 cores and 8 threads versus 4 cores and 4 threads for the Intel Core i5-3570T. Clock speeds favor AMD: 3.00 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost compared to 2.30 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. The Opteron has a higher TDP at 95 watts versus 45 watts for the Intel part.

Sockets are incompatible: the Opteron uses AMD Socket C32, while the i5-3570T uses Intel Socket 1155. Architecture and codename differ completely — Bulldozer/Valencia versus Ivy Bridge/Ivy Bridge. Process nodes are 32 nm versus 22 nm, with different foundries (GlobalFoundries versus Intel). Transistor counts are 1,200 million versus 1,400 million, and die sizes are 315 mm² versus 160 mm².

Cache layouts are structured differently: the Opteron has 384 KB L1, 8 MB L2, and 8 MB shared L3; the i5-3570T has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. Memory bandwidth is listed at 25.6 GB/s for the Opteron, but not listed for the Intel chip. ECC support is present on AMD, absent on Intel. PCIe generations differ (Gen 2 versus Gen 3 with 16 lanes), and integrated graphics exist only on the Intel part. The Opteron targets server/workstation and is end-of-life; the i5-3570T is a desktop part with no production status listed. Release dates are November 2011 for AMD and April 2012 for Intel.

The Verdict

The data unequivocally favors the AMD Opteron 4284 in raw compute performance. It wins every shared benchmark by roughly 20%, whether single-core or multi-core, across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The 8-core design combined with higher clock speeds overpowers the 4-core Ivy Bridge part. For any workload that stresses CPU rendering or heavily threaded computation, the Opteron is the clear choice based on benchmark results.

However, the Intel Core i5-3570T is not without merits when viewed through its intended use case. It consumes 45 watts versus 95 watts, has a smaller 22 nm die, includes integrated graphics, and supports PCIe Gen 3. These features point to a desktop efficiency-focused processor. The Opteron’s ECC memory support, larger cache hierarchy, and server segment designation make it suitable for workstation reliability, but its higher power draw and lack of integrated graphics are drawbacks for general desktop use.

The verdict depends on workload. The AMD Opteron 4284 should be chosen for multi-threaded server or workstation tasks where the 20% performance advantage in Cinebench translates directly to faster render or compute times, and where ECC memory is required. The Intel Core i5-3570T should be chosen for energy-conscious desktop builds where integrated graphics are needed, PCIe Gen 3 is desired, and where the 45-watt TDP matters more than the benchmark deficit. Both processors sit at the 32nd percentile globally, but they achieve that ranking through very different means — the Opteron through brute core count and clocks, the i5-3570T through architectural efficiency and feature integration.