AMD Opteron 4332 HE vs AMD Opteron 6220 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data in the database presents a clear and consistent picture: the AMD Opteron 6220 outperforms the AMD Opteron 4332 HE across every recorded workload. In the five head-to-head comparisons, the Opteron 6220 wins all five, with no wins recorded for the Opteron 4332 HE.

Looking first at multi-threaded performance, the Opteron 6220 posts a Cinebench R15 multicore score of 407 against 335 for the Opteron 4332 HE. That works out to a 21.5% advantage. The margin is identical in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the Opteron 6220 scores 1696 and the Opteron 4332 HE scores 1396, again a 21.5% lead. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Opteron 6220 reaches 4040, while the Opteron 4332 HE manages 3324, matching the same 21.5% delta.

Single-core results follow the same pattern, though the gap is slightly larger in one test. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Opteron 6220 scores 239, against 196 for the Opteron 4332 HE, a 21.9% difference. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows the Opteron 6220 at 570 and the Opteron 4332 HE at 469, a 21.5% lead. Notably, there is no Cinebench R15 single-core result recorded for the Opteron 4332 HE in the database, so that comparison cannot be made.

The consistency of the delta across all four comparable tests is striking. Whether the workload is single-threaded or multi-threaded, the Opteron 6220 holds a lead of roughly 21.5% to 21.9%. This suggests the performance advantage is not workload-specific but rather a general characteristic of the processor's architecture and configuration.

When placed against the broader CPU market, both processors sit near each other. The Opteron 6220 has an average benchmark score of 1168 and ranks in the 33rd percentile of all CPUs. The Opteron 4332 HE averages 1144 and ranks in the 32nd percentile. These percentile figures indicate that both are positioned similarly in the overall performance distribution, but the Opteron 6220 maintains a slight edge in the aggregate.

The nearest rivals for the Opteron 6220 further contextualize its standing. The Intel Core i5-3570S and Intel Core i7-2960XM both average 1169, putting them just 0.1% above the Opteron 6220. The Intel Core i5-3450 averages 1166, 0.1% below. For the Opteron 4332 HE, the Intel Core i7-2600S and AMD Opteron 4284 both average 1146, 0.2% higher, while the Intel Core i5-4430 averages 1149, 0.4% higher. The data shows both AMD server chips competing in the same performance tier as mid-range Intel desktop processors from a similar era.

The Verdict

The recorded data leaves little room for ambiguity. The AMD Opteron 6220 is the faster processor in every benchmark category captured in the database. Its five wins out of five head-to-head comparisons, coupled with a consistent 21.5% to 21.9% margin across both single-core and multi-core tests, make it the clear choice for workloads that prioritize raw computational throughput.

The Opteron 4332 HE, despite having a higher boost clock of 3.70 GHz compared to 3.60 GHz for the Opteron 6220, cannot overcome the advantages held by the Opteron 6220. Those advantages include two additional cores (8 versus 6), a larger L1 cache (768 KB versus 288 KB), and a higher average benchmark score (1168 versus 1144). The boost clock advantage of the Opteron 4332 HE does not translate into a single-core victory in any test.

However, the Opteron 4332 HE does have one significant attribute in its favor: power consumption. The database records a TDP of 65 watts for the Opteron 4332 HE, compared to 115 watts for the Opteron 6220. That is a substantial difference for server deployments where thermal envelopes and energy costs are primary considerations. The Opteron 4332 HE also carries the "HE" designation, which in this context signals a high-efficiency variant.

For users who need maximum compute performance per socket, the Opteron 6220 is the answer based on the data. For users who are constrained by power budgets and can accept a roughly 21.5% reduction in performance, the Opteron 4332 HE presents a compelling efficiency-oriented alternative. The choice ultimately comes down to whether raw speed or power efficiency takes precedence in the deployment scenario.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 6220 wins in every benchmark category where both processors have recorded scores. This includes multi-threaded workloads across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, as well as single-threaded workloads in Cinebench R20 and R23. The margin is consistently around 21.5%, with the single-core R20 test showing the largest gap at 21.9%.

The Opteron 4332 HE does not win any benchmark comparisons in the database. Its only recorded advantage is in power efficiency, with a TDP of 65 watts versus 115 watts for the Opteron 6220. This makes it suitable for dense server environments where heat dissipation and power draw are limiting factors. The lower TDP also suggests the potential for quieter cooling solutions or operation in enclosures with restricted airflow.

In terms of memory support, both processors support DDR3, but the Opteron 6220 offers a quad-channel memory bus with a recorded bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the database does not list a memory bus configuration or bandwidth figure for the Opteron 4332 HE. The Opteron 6220 also supports ECC memory, while the Opteron 4332 HE does not, based on the recorded data.

The Opteron 6220 belongs to the Opteron 6000 series and uses the Bulldozer architecture with the Interlagos codename. The Opteron 4332 HE belongs to the Opteron 4000 series and uses the Piledriver architecture with the Seoul codename. These architectural differences, combined with the core count difference, explain the performance gap observed in the benchmarks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Opteron 6220 is faster in all recorded multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 4040 against 3324 for the Opteron 4332 HE, a 21.5% advantage. The same margin appears in Cinebench R15 multicore (407 versus 335) and Cinebench R20 multicore (1696 versus 1396).

Q: Does the Opteron 4332 HE have any performance advantage?

A: No, the Opteron 4332 HE does not win any of the five recorded head-to-head benchmarks. Its only advantage is a lower TDP of 65 watts compared to 115 watts for the Opteron 6220, which indicates higher power efficiency.

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

A: The Opteron 6220 leads in both recorded single-core tests. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 239 versus 196, a 21.9% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 570 versus 469, a 21.5% lead. There is no Cinebench R15 single-core score recorded for the Opteron 4332 HE.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Opteron 6220 has 8 cores and 8 threads. The AMD Opteron 4332 HE has 6 cores and 6 threads. Both processors have a base clock of 3.00 GHz, but the Opteron 4332 HE has a higher boost clock at 3.70 GHz versus 3.60 GHz for the Opteron 6220.

Q: What is the difference in cache configuration?

A: The Opteron 6220 has a 768 KB L1 cache, a 2 MB per module L2 cache, and an 8 MB per die L3 cache. The Opteron 4332 HE has a 288 KB L1 cache, a 6 MB L2 cache, and an 8 MB shared L3 cache. The Opteron 6220 also has a larger die size at 2x 315 mm², while the Opteron 4332 HE has a single 315 mm² die.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Opteron 6220 supports ECC memory. The AMD Opteron 4332 HE does not have ECC memory support recorded in the database. Both processors support DDR3 memory, but the Opteron 6220 uses a quad-channel memory bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations of AMD's server lineup. The Opteron 6220 uses the Bulldozer architecture with the codename Interlagos, while the Opteron 4332 HE uses the Piledriver architecture with the codename Seoul. Both are built on a 32 nm process node, but the Opteron 6220 is fabricated by GlobalFoundries, while the foundry for the Opteron 4332 HE is not recorded in the database.

The transistor counts differ substantially. The Opteron 6220 contains 2,400 million transistors spread across two dies, each measuring 315 mm². The Opteron 4332 HE contains 1,200 million transistors on a single 315 mm² die. This difference reflects the core count disparity: the Opteron 6220 has 8 cores, while the Opteron 4332 HE has 6 cores.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Opteron 6220 has a 768 KB L1 cache and a 2 MB L2 cache per module, with an 8 MB L3 cache per die. The Opteron 4332 HE has a 288 KB L1 cache, a 6 MB L2 cache, and an 8 MB shared L3 cache. The L3 cache size is the same in both cases, but the organization differs: per die for the Opteron 6220 versus shared for the Opteron 4332 HE.

The release timeline shows the Opteron 6220 arriving first, with a release date of November 13, 2011. The Opteron 4332 HE followed on December 3, 2012, roughly a year later. The Opteron 6220 belongs to the Opteron 6000 series, while the Opteron 4332 HE belongs to the Opteron 4000 series. The Opteron 6220 uses AMD Socket G34, and the Opteron 4332 HE uses AMD Socket C32.

Both processors lack integrated graphics and have locked multipliers. The Opteron 6220 supports PCIe Gen 2, while no PCIe generation is recorded for the Opteron 4332 HE. The market segment for both is listed as Server/Workstation, and the Opteron 6220 is marked as end-of-life in production status, while no production status is recorded for the Opteron 4332 HE.

Specification Differences

The AMD Opteron 6220 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Opteron 4332 HE has 6 cores and 6 threads. Both have a base clock of 3.00 GHz, but the boost clock differs: 3.60 GHz for the Opteron 6220 and 3.70 GHz for the Opteron 4332 HE. The TDP is a major differentiator, with the Opteron 6220 rated at 115 watts and the Opteron 4332 HE at 65 watts.

The processors use different sockets: AMD Socket G34 for the Opteron 6220 and AMD Socket C32 for the Opteron 4332 HE. The process node is the same at 32 nm, but the transistor count differs at 2,400 million versus 1,200 million. The die size is recorded as 2x 315 mm² for the Opteron 6220 and 315 mm² for the Opteron 4332 HE.

Cache specifications differ across all levels. The L1 cache is 768 KB for the Opteron 6220 and 288 KB for the Opteron 4332 HE. The L2 cache is 2 MB per module for the Opteron 6220 and 6 MB for the Opteron 4332 HE. The L3 cache is 8 MB per die for the Opteron 6220 and 8 MB shared for the Opteron 4332 HE.

Memory support shows the Opteron 6220 with a quad-channel DDR3 memory bus and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the Opteron 4332 HE has no memory bus or bandwidth figures recorded. ECC memory support is present on the Opteron 6220 but not on the Opteron 4332 HE. The Opteron 6220 supports PCIe Gen 2, while no PCIe information is recorded for the Opteron 4332 HE.

The release dates differ by roughly a year, with the Opteron 6220 launching on November 13, 2011, and the Opteron 4332 HE on December 3, 2012. The launch MSRP for the Opteron 6220 is $523, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the Opteron 4332 HE. The part numbers also differ: OS6220WKT8GGU for the Opteron 6220 and OS4332OFU6KHK for the Opteron 4332 HE. Both processors have locked multipliers, and neither includes integrated graphics. The Opteron 6220 is listed as end-of-life, while the Opteron 4332 HE has no production status recorded.