AMD Opteron 4376 HE vs Intel Core i5-2380P Comparison

# Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Opteron 4376 HE wins all five head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core i5-2380P. The margin is remarkably consistent across every test, with the Opteron holding a 15.7% to 15.8% advantage in all workloads. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Opteron scores 369 against the Intel's 311, a 15.7% delta. The R20 multicore test shows 1541 versus 1297, and the R23 multicore result is 3670 versus 3090 — both reflecting a 15.8% lead.

Single-threaded performance tells the same story. The Opteron's 217 in Cinebench R20 single-core beats the Intel's 183 by 15.7%. In R23 single-core, the Opteron posts 518 against 436, again a 15.8% advantage. This consistency across both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads is notable, as it suggests the Opteron's advantage is not merely a function of its higher core count but also reflects a per-thread performance edge in these specific benchmark tests.

The average benchmark scores place the two processors virtually neck-and-neck: the Intel Core i5-2380P averages 1063 across all benchmarks, while the AMD Opteron 4376 HE averages 1061. This puts them within 0.2% of each other in aggregate performance, despite the head-to-head results favoring AMD in every Cinebench iteration. The Intel's nearest rival list includes the Opteron at a deltaPct of 0.2%, while the Opteron's list includes the Intel at -0.2%. Both processors sit at the 29th percentile among all CPUs.

# The Verdict

The data presents a clear split between benchmark-specific outcomes and overall positioning. If the selection criterion is Cinebench performance — whether single-core or multi-core — the AMD Opteron 4376 HE is the decisive winner, outperforming the Intel Core i5-2380P by roughly 15.8% across all five tested workloads. There is no workload in this dataset where the Intel chip comes out ahead.

However, the aggregate benchmark picture is more nuanced. The average benchmark score of 1063 for the Intel and 1061 for the AMD places them statistically inseparable, with the Intel holding a 0.2% edge in that metric. This suggests that outside the Cinebench suite, the Intel processor may close the gap or even reverse it in other workloads.

From a platform perspective, the Intel targets the desktop segment with a 95W TDP, while the AMD is a server/workstation part with a 65W TDP. The lower power envelope of the Opteron, combined with its consistent benchmark wins, makes it the stronger choice for multi-threaded rendering workloads where power efficiency is a consideration. The Intel, meanwhile, remains competitive in aggregate terms and may be preferable in scenarios where the average across diverse workloads matters more than any single benchmark family.

For users running Cinebench-style rendering tasks, the Opteron is the data-backed pick. For users seeking a balanced desktop processor whose aggregate average slightly edges out the Opteron, the i5-2380P has a marginal claim, though the head-to-head results argue otherwise.

# Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i5-2380P is built on the Sandy Bridge architecture, codenamed Sandy Bridge, using a 32nm process node fabricated by Intel. It integrates 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. The AMD Opteron 4376 HE uses the Piledriver architecture, codenamed Seoul, also on a 32nm process node, with 1,200 million transistors on a significantly larger 315 mm² die. The foundry for the AMD chip is not listed in the data, whereas Intel fabricates its own silicon.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The Intel chip provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Opteron offers 384 KB of total L1 cache, 8 MB of L2 cache, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Opteron's larger shared L3 and L2 pools align with its server-oriented design, while the Intel's per-core L1 and L2 allocation reflects a desktop-focused architecture.

The Intel processor features PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD part has no PCIe information listed. Neither processor includes integrated graphics. The Opteron belongs to the Opteron 4000 series, whereas the Intel is a Core i5 from the Sandy Bridge generation. The release dates differ by nearly a year: the Intel launched in January 2012, the AMD in December 2012.

# Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are the most prominent divergence: the Intel provides 4 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD doubles that with 8 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks favor the Intel at 3.10 GHz versus the AMD's 2.60 GHz, but the boost clocks reverse the order, with the AMD reaching 3.60 GHz against the Intel's 3.40 GHz.

Thermal design power differs sharply: the Intel is rated at 95W, the AMD at 65W. This is a notable distinction, as the AMD delivers more cores and higher boost frequency while consuming 30W less. The sockets are incompatible: Intel Socket 1155 for the i5-2380P, AMD Socket C32 for the Opteron.

Memory support is DDR3 for both, but the Intel specifies dual-channel memory while the AMD's memory bus configuration is not listed in the data. ECC memory support is absent from both processors. The market segments differ: the Intel is a desktop part, the AMD is aimed at server/workstation use. The Intel has a part number of SR0G2; the AMD's is OS4376OFU8KHK. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

# FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Opteron 4376 HE has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-2380P has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the clock speed difference between the two?

A: The Intel has a higher base clock at 3.10 GHz versus the AMD's 2.60 GHz, but the AMD's boost clock of 3.60 GHz exceeds the Intel's 3.40 GHz boost.

Q: How do they compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The AMD Opteron 4376 HE scores 3670, which is 15.8% higher than the Intel Core i5-2380P's 3090.

Q: Are their average benchmark scores similar?

A: Yes, the Intel averages 1063 and the AMD averages 1061, a difference of only 0.2%, placing them both at the 29th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP?

A: The AMD Opteron 4376 HE has a 65W TDP, compared to the Intel Core i5-2380P's 95W TDP.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No, neither the Intel Core i5-2380P nor the AMD Opteron 4376 HE supports ECC memory according to the data.