AMD Opteron 4332 HE vs Intel Processor N97 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data reveals a clear split between older multi-core scaling and modern single-thread efficiency. The Intel Processor N97 wins two of the three recorded comparisons, but the AMD Opteron 4332 HE takes the most demanding multi-threaded workload.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel Processor N97 scores 479 against the Opteron's 335. That is a 30.1% deficit for the AMD part, a substantial margin in a test that favors higher core counts. The Opteron has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the N97 has 4 cores and 4 threads, yet the newer Intel architecture compensates for the core deficit with far better per-clock throughput. The N97's lead here is decisive, not marginal.

The tables turn in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The Opteron scores 3324, which is 14.1% ahead of the N97's 2913. This is the Opteron's only win, but it matters. R23 is a longer, more sustained workload than R15, and the Opteron's additional cores and larger shared L3 cache (8 MB versus 6 MB) appear to carry it through. The 14.1% delta is not enormous, but it is consistent with the Opteron's server pedigree: more physical cores, higher base clock (3.00 GHz versus 2.00 GHz), and a design that prioritizes throughput over responsiveness.

Single-core results are the most lopsided. The N97 scores 973 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Opteron manages only 469. That is a 51.8% deficit for the AMD part, the largest gap in the entire comparison. The N97's boost clock of 3.60 GHz is only slightly lower than the Opteron's 3.70 GHz, but the architectural difference is enormous. Gracemont is a modern efficiency core design, whereas Piledriver is a decade-old server core. The N97's single-thread performance is more than double the Opteron's, which explains why it dominates in any workload that cannot use all cores efficiently.

There is no Cinebench R20 or R15 single-core record for the Opteron in the database, so the single-core comparison rests entirely on R23. The N97 also lacks a Cinebench R20 record, so the head-to-head dataset is limited to three tests. Within those, the pattern is straightforward: the N97 wins the short multi-core test and the single-core test, while the Opteron wins the long multi-core test.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: the Intel Processor N97 is the better all-around processor for most users, but the AMD Opteron 4332 HE retains a specific advantage in sustained multi-threaded workloads.

The N97's two wins include the more comprehensive single-core benchmark, where its 51.8% lead is overwhelming. It also wins the R15 multi-core test by 30.1%, which suggests that for short bursts of parallel work, the N97 is faster despite having fewer cores. The Opteron's lone win in R23 multi-core indicates that its extra cores and higher TDP (65 W versus 12 W) allow it to sustain performance over longer periods, but the margin is only 14.1%.

For a user running short, interactive tasks, occasional compilation, or light server duties, the N97 is the obvious pick. Its single-core performance is vastly superior, and its R15 multi-core win shows it can handle brief parallel bursts competently. The Opteron makes sense only for workloads that hammer all cores continuously for extended durations, where its 6-core design and larger L3 cache pay off. Even then, the 14.1% R23 advantage is modest.

The average benchmark scores reinforce the closeness of the overall comparison: the Opteron sits at 1144, the N97 at 1132, a difference of just 1.1%. Both parts land at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Opteron's nearest rivals (Intel Core i7-2600S, AMD Opteron 4284, Intel Core i7-3612QE, Intel Core i5-4430) all fall within 0.4% of its average score. The N97's nearest rivals (Intel Core i3-10110U, Pentium Gold G5500, Core i3-4370, Core i5-4690T) are similarly clustered within 0.3%. This is a near-tie in aggregate, with the N97 winning on the tests that matter most for modern software.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The AMD Opteron 4332 HE uses the Piledriver architecture (codename Seoul), built on a 32 nm process with 1,200 million transistors on a 315 mm² die. It is a 6-core, 6-thread part with no simultaneous multithreading. Its base clock is 3.00 GHz and boost clock is 3.70 GHz, with a thermal design power of 65 W. It uses the AMD Socket C32 and belongs to the Opteron 4000 series, released in December 2012 for the server and workstation segment.

The Intel Processor N97 uses the Gracemont architecture (codename Gracemont), part of the Alder Lake-N generation. It is built on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. It has 4 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. Its TDP is just 12 W, a fraction of the Opteron's 65 W. It uses the Intel BGA 1264 socket and is classified as a mobile part, released in January 2023.

Cache configurations differ notably. The Opteron has 288 KB of L1 cache, 6 MB of L2, and 8 MB of shared L3. The N97 has 96 KB per core of L1 (which translates to 384 KB across four cores), 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The Opteron's larger caches reflect its server heritage, but the N97's per-core L1 is larger on a relative basis.

Memory support diverges sharply. The Opteron supports DDR3 memory with no ECC capability. The N97 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, with a single-channel memory bus and a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The N97 also includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730) and a PCIe Gen 3 connection with 9 lanes. The Opteron has no integrated graphics and no listed PCIe configuration.

The N97 is also an active production part, while the Opteron's production status is not recorded. The Opteron's multiplier is locked, as is the N97's. The Opteron's part number is OS4332OFU6KHK; the N97's is SRMLM.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Opteron 4332 HE has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Intel Processor N97 has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which processor wins in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Processor N97 wins decisively. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 973 versus the Opteron's 469, a 51.8% advantage.

Q: Does the Opteron win any benchmark?

A: Yes. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Opteron scores 3324 against the N97's 2913, a 14.1% lead.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The Opteron has a TDP of 65 W, while the N97 has a TDP of 12 W. The N97 draws far less power.

Q: Which processor supports newer memory?

A: The Intel Processor N97 supports DDR4 and DDR5, with a single-channel memory bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Opteron supports only DDR3.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Processor N97, which includes UHD Graphics 730. The Opteron has no integrated graphics.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Processor N97 wins in:

• Single-threaded workloads. Its R23 single-core score of 973 is more than double the Opteron's 469. Any application that relies on one or two threads (web browsing, office tasks, light scripting) will favor the N97.
• Short multi-threaded bursts. The N97's R15 multi-core score of 479 beats the Opteron's 335 by 30.1%. Quick parallel jobs, such as compressing a small file or rendering a short preview, will complete faster on the N97.
• Power-constrained environments. With a 12 W TDP versus the Opteron's 65 W, the N97 is suited for fanless or low-power designs, though the benchmark data itself does not measure power efficiency directly.
• Mobile and embedded use cases. The N97's BGA socket and integrated graphics make it a drop-in part for compact systems, whereas the Opteron requires a server motherboard.

AMD Opteron 4332 HE wins in:

• Sustained multi-threaded workloads. Its R23 multi-core score of 3324 beats the N97's 2913 by 14.1%. Long-running renders, batch processing, or server-side computations that keep all cores busy will favor the Opteron.
• Higher core count. The Opteron's 6 cores give it a structural advantage in heavily parallel software that scales beyond 4 threads.
• Larger cache pool. The Opteron has 8 MB of shared L3 versus the N97's 6 MB, plus 6 MB of L2 versus 2 MB. This may help in workloads with large working sets, though the benchmark data does not isolate cache effects.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Opteron 4332 HE | Intel Processor N97 |

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

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 6 | 4 |

| Base clock | 3.00 GHz | 2.00 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.70 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 12 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket C32 | Intel BGA 1264 |

| Architecture | Piledriver | Gracemont |

| Codename | Seoul | Gracemont |

| Process node | 32 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | None listed | Intel |

| Transistors | 1,200 million | None listed |

| Die size | 315 mm² | None listed |

| L1 cache | 288 KB | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 6 MB | 2 MB (shared) |

| L3 cache | 8 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR3 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory bus | None listed | Single-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | None listed | 38.4 GB/s |

| ECC memory | No | No |

| PCIe | None listed | Gen 3, 9 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | None | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Production status | None listed | Active |

| Release date | 2012-12-03 | 2023-01-02 |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | No |

| Part number | OS4332OFU6KHK | SRMLM |