CPU Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a remarkably consistent picture: the AMD Opteron 6220 wins every single head-to-head comparison against the AMD Opteron 4334. Across five Cinebench workloads, the Opteron 6220 maintains a lead of approximately 20% in every test. The narrowest margin is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the 6220 scores 239 against the 4334's 198, a 20.7% advantage. The widest margins are essentially identical: Cinebench R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, and R23 multi-core all show the 6220 ahead by 20.4%. This uniformity is striking, it suggests the performance gap is structural rather than workload-dependent.

In multi-threaded rendering, the Opteron 6220 posts 407 points in Cinebench R15 multi-core versus 338 for the Opteron 4334. Moving to Cinebench R20 multi-core, the gap expands in absolute terms: 1696 versus 1409. The R23 multi-core test shows the same proportional difference, with the 6220 reaching 4040 points while the 4334 manages 3356. Single-core results follow the same pattern: 570 versus 473 in R23 single-core, a 20.5% delta.

The Opteron 6220's average benchmark score of 1168 places it in the 33rd percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-3570S, scores 1169, a mere 0.1% difference. The Intel Core i7-2960XM also sits at 1169, again just 0.1% behind the 6220. Meanwhile, the Intel Core i5-3450 trails by 0.1% at 1166, and the Intel Core i7-3635QM leads by 0.2% at 1170. The Opteron 4334, with an average score of 1155, also lands in the 33rd percentile. Its closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2312 at 1156, a 0.1% gap. The Intel Core i3-8145UE scores 1154, 0.1% behind, while the Intel Core i5-4430 trails by 0.5% at 1149. The AMD Opteron 6212 leads the 4334 by 0.6% with a score of 1162.

Where Each One Wins

The data is unambiguous: the Opteron 6220 wins everywhere. Every benchmark, multi-core and single-core alike, favors the 6220. There is no workload category in the provided results where the Opteron 4334 takes the lead. The 6220's advantage in single-core tests (20.7% in R20, 20.5% in R23) is nearly identical to its multi-core advantage (20.4% across R15, R20, and R23). This means users seeking stronger performance in either lightly-threaded or heavily-threaded applications will find the 6220 superior.

For multi-threaded workloads such as rendering or server-side batch processing, the 6220's eight cores provide a clear edge over the 4334's six cores. The Cinebench R15 multi-core result of 407 versus 338 demonstrates this: the 6220 completes the same work roughly 20% faster. Single-core performance, which matters for legacy applications or lightly-threaded server tasks, also favors the 6220, with its 3.60 GHz boost clock outpacing the 4334's 3.50 GHz boost. The 6220's base clock of 3.00 GHz is lower than the 4334's 3.10 GHz, yet the benchmark results show the 6220 still wins in single-threaded tests, indicating that boost behavior and architecture efficiency play a larger role than base frequency alone.

The Opteron 4334 does offer one practical advantage: a lower 95W TDP compared to the 6220's 115W. For dense server deployments where thermal and power budgets are constrained, this difference could be meaningful, though the benchmark data does not quantify the real-world power draw under load.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations of AMD's server lineup. The Opteron 6220 uses the Bulldozer architecture and carries the codename Interlagos, belonging to the Opteron 6000 series. The Opteron 4334 uses the newer Piledriver architecture, codenamed Seoul, and belongs to the Opteron 4000 series. Both are fabricated on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries, but the similarities end there.

The Opteron 6220 packs eight cores and eight threads, while the Opteron 4334 offers six cores and six threads. Neither processor supports simultaneous multithreading. The 6220's transistor count is 2,400 million spread across a die size of 2x 315 mm², reflecting its dual-die design. The 4334 uses 1,200 million transistors on a single 315 mm² die, exactly half the transistor count and half the total die area of the 6220.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The 6220 provides 768 KB of L1 cache and 2 MB of L2 cache per module, with 8 MB of L3 cache per die. The 4334 offers a smaller 288 KB L1 cache and 6 MB of L2 cache, but shares 8 MB of L3 cache across the entire processor. Memory support also diverges: the 6220 supports quad-channel DDR3 with a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s and includes ECC support. The 4334 supports DDR3 but the memory bus width and bandwidth are not specified in the data; notably, the 4334 does not list ECC memory support.

The two CPUs use different sockets: the 6220 requires AMD Socket G34, while the 4334 uses AMD Socket C32. The 6220 also features PCIe Gen 2 connectivity, while the 4334's PCIe generation is unspecified. Both processors share a server/workstation market segment and lack integrated graphics.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Opteron 6220 has an average benchmark score of 1168, while the AMD Opteron 4334 scores 1155. Both rank in the 33rd percentile of all CPUs.

Q: How much faster is the Opteron 6220 in multi-core rendering?

A: The Opteron 6220 leads by 20.4% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, scoring 407 versus 338, 1696 versus 1409, and 4040 versus 3356 respectively.

Q: Does the Opteron 4334 have any architectural advantage?

A: The Opteron 4334 uses the newer Piledriver architecture and a lower 95W TDP compared to the 6220's 115W. However, benchmark results show the older Bulldozer-based 6220 outperforms it in every tested workload.

Q: What are the closest competitors to each processor?

A: The Opteron 6220's nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-3570S, which scores 1169, just 0.1% higher. The Opteron 4334's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2312 at 1156, also 0.1% higher.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Opteron 6220 explicitly lists ECC memory support, while the Opteron 4334 does not include ECC memory support in its specifications.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Opteron 6220 has eight cores and eight threads, while the Opteron 4334 has six cores and six threads.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Opteron 6220 | AMD Opteron 4334 |

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

| Series | Opteron 6000 series | Opteron 4000 series |

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Threads | 8 | 6 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| TDP | 115 W | 95 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket G34 | AMD Socket C32 |

| Architecture | Bulldozer | Piledriver |

| Codename | Interlagos | Seoul |

| Generation | Opteron (Interlagos) | Opteron (Seoul) |

| Transistors | 2,400 million | 1,200 million |

| Die Size | 2x 315 mm² | 315 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 768 KB | 288 KB |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per module) | 6 MB |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (per die) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Not specified |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | Not specified |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 2 | Not specified |

| Release Date | 2011-11-13 | 2012-12-03 |

| Launch MSRP | $523 | Not specified |

| Part Number | OS6220WKT8GGU | OS4334WLU6KHK |

The Verdict

The data directs a straightforward conclusion: the AMD Opteron 6220 outperforms the AMD Opteron 4334 across every benchmark in the comparison. With five wins and zero losses, the 6220 maintains a consistent 20% lead in both single-core and multi-core workloads. Its eight cores, larger cache hierarchy, quad-channel memory support, and ECC capability make it the more capable processor for demanding server and workstation tasks.

The Opteron 4334 is not without merit. Its lower 95W TDP makes it an appealing option for power-constrained environments, and its Piledriver architecture is newer than the 6220's Bulldozer design. However, the benchmark results show that architectural generation does not translate into performance superiority here, the 6220's extra cores and higher boost clock deliver tangible gains.

Users who prioritize raw compute throughput should select the Opteron 6220. Its 20.4% multi-core advantage in Cinebench R23 (4040 versus 3356) is substantial for rendering and similar parallel workloads. The 6220's quad-channel memory and ECC support also position it for memory-intensive server applications where data integrity is critical.

Users who must minimize power consumption and thermal output may prefer the Opteron 4334, accepting a 20% performance penalty for a 20W TDP reduction. But for any performance-driven decision, the data points unambiguously to the Opteron 6220. Its average benchmark score of 1168 places it marginally ahead of the 4334's 1155, and its nearest rivals include desktop-class Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, indicating competitive performance for its era. The Opteron 4334, by contrast, sits alongside embedded and low-power parts in its percentile ranking.