AMD Opteron 4376 HE vs Intel Core i5-2310 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark database shows a consistent pattern across every recorded Cinebench test: the AMD Opteron 4376 HE wins all five head-to-head comparisons. The margins are remarkably uniform, ranging from 14.9% to 15.2% in favor of the AMD processor. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Opteron scores 369 against the Core i5-2310's 314, a 14.9% advantage. The R20 multi-core test shows 1541 versus 1309, a 15.1% gap. Single-core results follow the same trend: R20 single-core has the Opteron at 217 and the Intel at 184, a 15.2% lead. R23 multi-core delivers 3670 against 3118, a 15.0% difference, while R23 single-core shows 518 versus 440, also 15.1% ahead.

The near-identical delta percentages across both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads suggest the Opteron's advantage is not workload-specific but reflects a consistent per-clock efficiency plus core-count combination. Interestingly, the Intel chip's boost clock of 3.20 GHz is higher than the Opteron's base clock of 2.60 GHz, yet the Opteron still leads in every single-core test. The Opteron's boost clock reaches 3.60 GHz, which partially explains its single-thread edge, but the consistent ~15% margin across all tests indicates the Piledriver architecture holds its own against Sandy Bridge in these specific Cinebench workloads.

Neither processor posts an average benchmark score that separates them dramatically from their nearest rivals. The Core i5-2310 averages 1073, placing it 0.1% above the Intel Core i3-4170T (1072) and the Intel Core i5-5287U (1072), while sitting 0.1% below the Intel Pentium Gold G6505 (1074) and 0.1% above the AMD Athlon X4 880K (1071). The Opteron 4376 HE averages 1061, exactly matching the Intel Core i3-4360 (1061), 0.1% below the Intel Core i5-4570TE (1062), 0.2% above the AMD FX-8320E (1059), and 0.2% below the Intel Core i5-2380P (1063). These margins are within measurement noise, meaning both chips sit in a tightly clustered performance tier.

Where Each One Wins

The Opteron 4376 HE wins every recorded benchmark, so the use-case split depends on what the measurements reveal about workload characteristics. The multi-core results show the Opteron's 8 cores and 8 threads outperforming the Core i5-2310's 4 cores and 4 threads by roughly 15% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. For rendering workloads that scale with core count, the Opteron holds a clear edge. The R23 multi-core score of 3670 versus 3118 translates to a 15% faster completion time for multi-threaded rendering tasks.

Surprisingly, the Opteron also wins the single-core tests, which typically favor higher clock speeds. The R23 single-core result of 518 versus 440 shows a 15.1% advantage, despite the Intel part having a higher base clock (2.90 GHz versus 2.60 GHz). The Opteron's boost clock of 3.60 GHz, which is 0.40 GHz higher than the Intel's 3.20 GHz boost, appears to be the deciding factor in single-threaded workloads. This means the Opteron is not just a multi-core workhorse; it also delivers faster single-threaded response in these Cinebench scenarios.

For a desktop user running older software that relies on one or two threads, the Opteron's higher boost clock gives it the advantage. For server or workstation workloads that parallelize well across 8 cores, the Opteron again leads. The Core i5-2310's only potential advantage lies in areas not captured by these benchmarks, such as integrated graphics (Intel HD 2000 versus none on the Opteron), or platform features like PCIe Gen 3 support. But strictly from the recorded database scores, the Opteron wins every measurable workload category.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies and target different market segments. The Intel Core i5-2310 is a desktop part built on the Sandy Bridge architecture, released in May 2011. It uses a 32 nm process node fabricated by Intel, with 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. The AMD Opteron 4376 HE is a server/workstation chip based on the Piledriver architecture (codename Seoul), released in December 2012. It also uses a 32 nm process but packs 1,200 million transistors on a larger 315 mm² die.

Core configuration differs substantially. The Intel part has 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning no hyper-threading. The AMD part has 8 cores and 8 threads, giving it double the logical processors. Cache hierarchies also diverge. The Core i5-2310 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Opteron 4376 HE lists 384 KB of total L1 cache, 8 MB of L2 cache, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Opteron's larger L2 and L3 pools likely help feed its 8 cores.

Clock speeds tell a story of different tuning. The Intel chip runs at 2.90 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost. The AMD chip runs at 2.60 GHz base but boosts to 3.60 GHz, a full 0.40 GHz higher than the Intel's boost. Despite the lower base clock, the Opteron's higher boost ceiling contributes to its benchmark wins. Both processors support DDR3 memory and lack ECC support. The Intel part uses a dual-channel memory bus, while the database does not record a memory bus width for the Opteron.

Platform features differ. The Core i5-2310 uses Intel Socket 1155 and includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 2000). It also supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Opteron 4376 HE uses AMD Socket C32 and has no integrated graphics. The database records no PCIe information for the AMD part. The Intel chip is marked as end-of-life, while the Opteron's production status is not recorded. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not a differentiator.

The market segments reflect their intended roles: Intel targets desktops, AMD targets servers and workstations. This explains the Opteron's lower TDP of 65 watts despite having twice the cores, compared to the Intel's 95 watts. The "HE" in the Opteron's name suggests high efficiency, and the 65 watt rating supports that interpretation. The Intel part has a part number of SR02K, while the AMD part is OS4376OFU8KHK.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Opteron 4376 HE has 8 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core i5-2310 has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the boost clock difference?

A: The Opteron boosts to 3.60 GHz, while the Core i5-2310 boosts to 3.20 GHz. The Opteron's boost clock is 0.40 GHz higher.

Q: Which chip scores higher in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Opteron scores 3670, which is 15% higher than the Core i5-2310's 3118.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: Yes, both support DDR3. The Intel part uses dual-channel memory, while the database does not record a memory bus specification for the Opteron.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP?

A: The Opteron has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Core i5-2310 has a TDP of 95 watts. The Opteron uses 30 watts less despite having twice the cores.

Q: Does the Core i5-2310 have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Intel HD 2000. The Opteron has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the release date gap between them?

A: The Core i5-2310 was released in May 2011, and the Opteron was released in December 2012. They are about 19 months apart.

The Verdict

The data points to the AMD Opteron 4376 HE as the stronger performer in every recorded benchmark. It wins all five Cinebench tests with margins between 14.9% and 15.2%. For anyone running multi-threaded rendering workloads, the Opteron's 8 cores deliver a clear advantage over the Core i5-2310's 4 cores. The R23 multi-core score of 3670 versus 3118 means a roughly 15% faster render time for the AMD part.

The single-core results are more surprising. The Opteron also wins those, thanks to its 3.60 GHz boost clock versus the Intel's 3.20 GHz. The R23 single-core score of 518 versus 440 shows a 15.1% lead. This means even for lightly threaded tasks, the Opteron is faster in these Cinebench workloads.

For a desktop builder, the Core i5-2310 offers integrated graphics and PCIe Gen 3 support, which the Opteron lacks. But those features do not appear in the benchmark scores. If the workload is purely CPU-bound rendering, the Opteron is the better pick. Its 65 watt TDP also makes it more power-efficient than the Intel chip's 95 watt rating, an important consideration for servers running many sockets.

The average benchmark scores place both chips in the same performance tier. The Core i5-2310 averages 1073, and the Opteron averages 1061. Their nearest rivals overlap: the Intel sits near the i3-4170T and Pentium Gold G6505, while the AMD matches the i3-4360 and sits close to the FX-8320E. Neither chip breaks out of its tier, but within the head-to-head, the Opteron is consistently ahead.

The Opteron is the choice for multi-threaded server or workstation workloads where the 8 cores and higher boost clock translate directly to faster completion times. The Core i5-2310 makes sense only if the platform requires integrated graphics or PCIe Gen 3, or if the software ecosystem is Intel-centric. The recorded data does not show any workload where the Intel chip wins.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in every major specification category. Core count: 4 versus 8. Threads: 4 versus 8. Base clock: 2.90 GHz versus 2.60 GHz. Boost clock: 3.20 GHz versus 3.60 GHz. TDP: 95 watts versus 65 watts. Socket: Intel Socket 1155 versus AMD Socket C32. Architecture: Sandy Bridge versus Piledriver. Codename: Sandy Bridge versus Seoul. Generation: Core i5 (Sandy Bridge) versus Opteron (Seoul). Process node: both 32 nm, but Intel is the foundry for its chip, while AMD's foundry is not recorded.

Transistor count: 1,160 million versus 1,200 million. Die size: 216 mm² versus 315 mm². L1 cache: 64 KB per core versus 384 KB total. L2 cache: 256 KB per core versus 8 MB total. L3 cache: 6 MB shared versus 8 MB shared. Memory support: both DDR3, but the Intel part uses dual-channel, while the Opteron's memory bus is not recorded. ECC memory: both lack support. Integrated graphics: Intel HD 2000 versus none. PCIe: Gen 3 with 16 lanes on the Intel, not recorded for AMD. Market segment: Desktop versus Server/Workstation. Release date: May 2011 versus December 2012. Part number: SR02K versus OS4376OFU8KHK. Multiplier unlocked: neither. Launch MSRP: not recorded for either.