AMD Opteron 4376 HE vs AMD PRO A10-9700 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Opteron 4376 HE dominates the AMD PRO A10-9700 across every recorded benchmark. The data shows a consistent advantage of roughly 20% to 21% in all five Cinebench tests, with no single metric favoring the PRO A10-9700.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Opteron scores 369 against 306 for the PRO A10-9700, a 20.6% lead. The R20 multicore test shows a similar gap: 1541 versus 1275, a 20.9% difference. The R23 multicore result continues the pattern, with the Opteron at 3670 and the PRO A10-9700 at 3037, a 20.8% margin.

Single-core performance tells the same story. The Opteron posts 217 in Cinebench R20 single-core versus 179 for the PRO A10-9700, a 21.2% advantage. In R23 single-core, the Opteron scores 518 against 428, a 21% lead. The Opteron also wins the R15 single-core test with 52 points, though the PRO A10-9700 did not record a score for that specific test in the database.

The head-to-head record is 5 wins for the Opteron and 0 for the PRO A10-9700. The narrowest margin is 20.6% in R15 multicore, while the widest is 21.2% in R20 single-core. Across all tests, the Opteron's advantage remains remarkably stable, hovering just above one-fifth faster regardless of workload type.

Looking at average benchmark scores, the Opteron sits at 1061 while the PRO A10-9700 sits at 1045. The Opteron's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-4360 at an identical 1061 and the Intel Core i5-4570TE at 1062, just 0.1% higher. The PRO A10-9700 matches the Intel Pentium Gold G5620 at 1045 and trails the Intel Core i5-6350HQ by 0.1%. Both processors land in the 29th percentile among all CPUs tracked in the database.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: the AMD Opteron 4376 HE outperforms the AMD PRO A10-9700 in every measured category. The Opteron leads by roughly 21% in both single-core and multi-core workloads, a consistent margin that leaves no ambiguity about which processor delivers more compute throughput.

That said, the two chips serve different purposes based on their platform characteristics. The Opteron is a server and workstation part, using the AMD Socket C32 platform with Piledriver architecture. The PRO A10-9700 is a desktop processor with integrated Radeon R7 graphics, built for the AM4 socket with Excavator architecture. A buyer needing raw CPU performance from the database's benchmark results should choose the Opteron. A buyer needing integrated graphics and a modern desktop platform should consider the PRO A10-9700, even though it loses every benchmark comparison.

The Opteron's 8 cores versus the PRO A10-9700's 4 cores likely explains the multi-core margin, and its higher single-core scores suggest better per-thread efficiency in these specific tests as well. The Opteron also carries more cache: 8 MB L2 and 8 MB shared L3 versus 2 MB L2 and no L3 on the PRO A10-9700. For workloads that are heavily threaded or cache-sensitive, the Opteron is the clear pick.

However, the PRO A10-9700 has advantages the benchmarks do not capture. It supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the Opteron uses DDR3. The PRO A10-9700 also includes PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes from the CPU and an integrated Radeon R7 GPU, eliminating the need for a separate graphics card in basic desktop systems. The Opteron has no integrated graphics and targets server environments where dedicated GPUs or remote management are standard.

Architecture Differences

The Opteron 4376 HE uses the Piledriver architecture under the codename Seoul, part of the Opteron 4000 series. The PRO A10-9700 uses Excavator architecture under the codename Bristol Ridge. Both come from AMD, but they represent different design generations and different market intents.

The process nodes differ: the Opteron is built on 32 nm technology, while the PRO A10-9700 uses a 28 nm process from GlobalFoundries. Despite the older node, the Opteron manages the same 65 W TDP as the PRO A10-9700. The Opteron integrates 1,200 million transistors on a 315 mm² die, while the PRO A10-9700 packs 3,100 million transistors on a smaller 250 mm² die.

Cache layouts diverge significantly. The Opteron offers 384 KB of L1 cache, 8 MB of L2, and 8 MB of shared L3. The PRO A10-9700 has 320 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2, with no L3 cache at all. This structural difference likely contributes to the Opteron's benchmark lead, particularly in workloads that benefit from larger cache pools.

The PRO A10-9700 includes integrated Radeon R7 graphics, a feature entirely absent from the Opteron. The Opteron also lacks PCIe information in the database, while the PRO A10-9700 specifies Gen 3 with 8 lanes from the CPU. Memory support similarly differs: the Opteron runs DDR3, and the PRO A10-9700 runs DDR4 with a measured bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.

Neither processor supports ECC memory according to the recorded data, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The Opteron's part number is OS4376OFU8KHK, while the PRO A10-9700 is AD970BAGM44AB.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The Opteron has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the PRO A10-9700 has 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks favor the PRO A10-9700 at 3.50 GHz versus 2.60 GHz, and boost clocks also favor it at 3.80 GHz versus 3.60 GHz. Despite fewer cores and higher clocks, the PRO A10-9700 loses all benchmark comparisons.

Sockets are incompatible: the Opteron uses AMD Socket C32, and the PRO A10-9700 uses AMD Socket AM4. The Opteron belongs to the Opteron 4000 series with the Seoul codename, while the PRO A10-9700 is part of the A10 generation under Bristol Ridge. The Opteron's market segment is Server/Workstation; the PRO A10-9700 is Desktop.

Release dates show a significant gap. The Opteron launched on 2012-12-03, while the PRO A10-9700 launched on 2017-07-26. The PRO A10-9700 is marked as Active in production status, while the Opteron has no recorded production status. Neither has a launch MSRP in the database.

Memory specifications differ beyond the DDR3 versus DDR4 distinction. The PRO A10-9700 explicitly records dual-channel memory support and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Opteron lists only DDR3 support without a bus or bandwidth figure. The Opteron's L3 cache is shared at 8 MB, while the PRO A10-9700 has no L3.

The PRO A10-9700's integrated Radeon R7 GPU is a defining specification difference, as is its PCIe Gen 3 with 8 CPU lanes. The Opteron has no integrated graphics and no recorded PCIe details. Transistor counts and die sizes also differ, with the PRO A10-9700 using more transistors on a smaller die.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The AMD Opteron 4376 HE wins all five recorded tests: R15 multicore (369 vs 306), R20 multicore (1541 vs 1275), R20 single-core (217 vs 179), R23 multicore (3670 vs 3037), and R23 single-core (518 vs 428). The record is 5 wins for the Opteron and 0 for the PRO A10-9700.

Q: How large is the performance gap between the two?

A: The Opteron leads by 20.6% in R15 multicore, 20.9% in R20 multicore, 21.2% in R20 single-core, 20.8% in R23 multicore, and 21% in R23 single-core.

Q: Do the two processors use the same socket?

A: No. The Opteron uses AMD Socket C32, while the PRO A10-9700 uses AMD Socket AM4. They are not interchangeable.

Q: Does the PRO A10-9700 have any hardware features the Opteron lacks?

A: Yes. The PRO A10-9700 includes integrated Radeon R7 graphics, supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration at 38.4 GB/s, and has PCIe Gen 3 with 8 CPU lanes. The Opteron has no integrated graphics and uses DDR3 memory.

Q: Which processor has more cores and cache?

A: The Opteron has 8 cores and 8 threads with 384 KB L1, 8 MB L2, and 8 MB shared L3. The PRO A10-9700 has 4 cores and 4 threads with 320 KB L1 and 2 MB L2, and no L3.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each?

A: The Opteron has an average benchmark score of 1061, and the PRO A10-9700 has an average of 1045. Both sit in the 29th percentile among all CPUs.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 4376 HE wins every benchmark category in the database. It is faster in single-core tests, faster in multi-core tests, and holds a consistent 20% to 21% advantage across all Cinebench versions. For any workload measured by these benchmarks, the Opteron is the superior choice.

The Opteron's strengths align with server and workstation usage. Its 8 cores and 8 threads handle parallel workloads effectively, and its 8 MB of shared L3 cache supports data-intensive operations. The 65 W TDP matches the PRO A10-9700 despite the older 32 nm process, making it an efficient option for dense server environments that prioritize compute per watt. The Socket C32 platform targets multi-socket server designs, where the Opteron's consistent benchmark lead would scale across multiple processors.

The PRO A10-9700 wins where the benchmarks do not apply. Its integrated Radeon R7 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in desktop systems, and its DDR4 support with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth offers a modern memory interface. The AM4 socket provides a current desktop platform, and the 28 nm process with 3,100 million transistors indicates a more advanced manufacturing node. The PRO A10-9700's higher base clock of 3.50 GHz and boost clock of 3.80 GHz may also provide snappier responsiveness in lightly threaded tasks that do not saturate the CPU, though the recorded single-core benchmarks still favor the Opteron.

For users building a workstation or server where CPU throughput is the priority, the data firmly recommends the Opteron. For users building a desktop where integrated graphics, DDR4 memory, and PCIe Gen 3 connectivity matter more than raw Cinebench scores, the PRO A10-9700 offers platform advantages that the benchmarks do not measure. The verdict from the database is clear: the Opteron is the faster processor, but the PRO A10-9700 serves a different use case with features the Opteron cannot provide.