AMD Opteron 4332 HE vs Intel Core i7-2600S Comparison

Intel Core i7-2600S and AMD Opteron 4332 HE land within 0.2% of each other in average benchmark score (1146 vs 1144), placing both at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs. Despite this statistical tie in aggregate performance, the head-to-head benchmark data reveals a consistent and decisive advantage for the Intel part across every measured workload, with the Opteron trailing by roughly 18% in each test. The following analysis breaks down these results, addresses common questions, and examines the architectural and specification differences that explain the performance gap.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-2600S wins all five head-to-head comparisons, with victory margins ranging from 18.2% to 18.9%. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Intel processor scores 396 against the AMD Opteron's 335, a delta of 18.2%. Moving to Cinebench R20 multicore, the gap widens slightly to 18.3% (1651 vs 1396). The R23 multicore test shows the same 18.3% delta (3933 vs 3324), indicating that the performance difference scales consistently across rendering workloads of varying intensity.

Single-core results tell a similar story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i7-2600S posts 233 points versus 196 for the Opteron 4332 HE, an 18.9% advantage — the largest margin of any test. Cinebench R23 single-core repeats the 18.3% delta (555 vs 469). These single-core numbers are particularly telling because they isolate per-thread efficiency. The Intel chip's 18.9% lead in R20 single-core suggests its architecture extracts more work from each clock cycle, a finding reinforced by the 18.3% single-core lead in R23.

Interestingly, the aggregate benchmark score masks this dominance. The i7-2600S averages 1146 across all tests, while the Opteron 4332 HE averages 1144, a mere 0.2% difference. This discrepancy arises because the head-to-head tests are all Cinebench workloads, which heavily favor the Intel design. The aggregate score includes Geekbench data (1765 multicore, 578 single-core for Intel) that the Opteron lacks, potentially balancing the overall picture. Still, for users focused on Cinebench-style rendering tasks, the Intel part is consistently and substantially faster.

The nearest rival data reinforces the narrow aggregate margin between these two chips. The i7-2600S sits 0.2% above the Opteron, while the Opteron sits 0.2% below the i7-2600S — a symmetric relationship. Both also fall within 0.4% of the AMD Opteron 4284 (1146), Intel Core i7-3612QE (1147), and Intel Core i5-4430 (1149), placing them in a tight performance cluster. The head-to-head results, however, break this tie decisively in favor of Intel for Cinebench workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-2600S averages 1146 points, while the AMD Opteron 4332 HE averages 1144 points — a difference of just 0.2% in Intel's favor.

Q: How much faster is the Intel chip in single-core performance?

A: In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i7-2600S scores 233 versus 196 for the Opteron, a lead of 18.9%. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the lead is 18.3% (555 vs 469).

Q: Does the AMD Opteron win any benchmark comparison?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the Intel Core i7-2600S winning all five tests, with the Opteron 4332 HE recording zero wins.

Q: What is the core and thread configuration of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-2600S has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Opteron 4332 HE has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-2600S boosts to 3.80 GHz, while the AMD Opteron 4332 HE boosts to 3.70 GHz.

Q: Are both processors built on the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes, both use a 32 nm process node. Intel's chip is built on Sandy Bridge architecture, while AMD's uses Piledriver architecture.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-2600S uses Sandy Bridge architecture, built on a 32 nm process at Intel's foundry. It contains 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. The AMD Opteron 4332 HE uses Piledriver architecture (codename Seoul) and is also built on a 32 nm process, but packs 1,200 million transistors onto a substantially larger 315 mm² die. This 99 mm² die size difference is notable given the similar transistor counts, suggesting AMD's design is less dense.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The Intel chip provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part offers 288 KB total L1 cache, 6 MB of L2 cache, and also 8 MB of shared L3. With 6 cores, the Opteron's per-core L2 allocation is 1 MB, whereas the i7-2600S gives each core 256 KB of L2. The shared 8 MB L3 on both chips means the Intel processor's 4 cores each have access to a larger L3 slice relative to core count.

Integrated graphics represent a major architectural divergence. The Intel Core i7-2600S includes Intel HD 2000 graphics, making it a complete desktop solution. The AMD Opteron 4332 HE has no integrated graphics, which is typical for a server/workstation part. PCIe support also differs: the Intel chip offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Opteron's PCIe specifications are not listed in the data.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights only the fields where the two processors differ:

| Specification | Intel Core i7-2600S | AMD Opteron 4332 HE |

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

| Cores | 4 | 6 |

| Threads | 8 | 6 |

| Base Clock | 2.80 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | AMD Socket C32 |

| Architecture | Sandy Bridge | Piledriver |

| Codename | Sandy Bridge | Seoul |

| Generation | Core i7 (Sandy Bridge) | Opteron (Seoul) |

| Foundry | Intel | Not specified |

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

| Die Size | 216 mm² | 315 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 288 KB total |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 6 MB total |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Not specified |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 2000 | None |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Not specified |

| Part Number | SR00E | OS4332OFU6KHK |

| Release Date | 2011-01-08 | 2012-12-03 |

Both processors share 65 W TDP, 32 nm process, DDR3 memory support, 8 MB shared L3 cache, and no ECC memory support. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-2600S wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, so its advantages are clear-cut. It leads by 18.2% in Cinebench R15 multicore, 18.3% in R20 multicore, 18.9% in R20 single-core, and 18.3% in both R23 multicore and single-core. This consistent 18%+ margin across all Cinebench tests makes the i7-2600S the clear choice for rendering and CPU-intensive content creation workloads. Its 8 threads versus the Opteron's 6 threads likely contribute to the multicore advantage, while the single-core lead of nearly 19% points to superior per-thread efficiency in the Sandy Bridge architecture.

The AMD Opteron 4332 HE has no benchmark wins to claim. Its only potential advantages lie in its specifications: it has 6 cores versus 4, a higher base clock (3.00 GHz vs 2.80 GHz), and a larger L2 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB total). However, these specification advantages do not translate into performance wins in the tested workloads. The Opteron's market segment is server/workstation, whereas the i7-2600S targets desktops, so the AMD part may be positioned for different deployment scenarios, but the benchmark data shows no workload where it outperforms the Intel chip.

The Verdict

The data presents a straightforward conclusion: the Intel Core i7-2600S outperforms the AMD Opteron 4332 HE in every head-to-head benchmark, with margins consistently around 18-19%. The Intel chip's 4 cores and 8 threads prove more effective than AMD's 6 cores and 6 threads in Cinebench workloads, despite the Opteron's higher base clock. The 18.9% single-core lead in R20 indicates that Intel's architecture delivers superior per-thread performance, likely compensating for the core-count deficit.

For users prioritizing rendering performance, the i7-2600S is the unambiguous winner. Its 3933 R23 multicore score versus 3324 for the Opteron represents a substantial gap that would translate into noticeably shorter render times. The Intel chip also offers integrated graphics, making it a more complete standalone solution, and its smaller die (216 mm² vs 315 mm²) suggests better manufacturing efficiency.

The AMD Opteron 4332 HE, despite its higher core count and base clock, cannot overcome the architectural disadvantages exposed by the benchmarks. Its aggregate score remains within 0.2% of the Intel chip only because the overall average includes tests not present in the head-to-head set. For anyone choosing between these two specific processors based on the available benchmark data, the Intel Core i7-2600S is the superior performer in every measured category. The Opteron's server/workstation market segment and lack of integrated graphics further limit its appeal for desktop use cases. The verdict is unambiguous: Intel wins all five head-to-head comparisons, and the data shows no scenario where the AMD part takes the lead.