AMD Opteron 4376 HE vs Intel Core i5-6350HQ Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data presents an unusually one-sided picture. Across all six recorded Cinebench comparisons, the AMD Opteron 4376 HE takes the win, though by remarkably narrow margins. The largest gap appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Opteron scores 52 against the Core i5-6350HQ's 51, a 2% advantage. Every other test falls within a 1.4% to 1.6% spread.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Opteron posts 369 versus 364, a 1.4% lead. The R20 multicore test shows 1541 against 1518, a 1.5% edge. The R23 multicore run records 3670 versus 3616, again 1.5% ahead. Single-core results follow the same pattern: R20 gives 217 against 214 (1.4%), and R23 gives 518 against 510 (1.6%).

What does this mean in real terms? The Opteron wins all six comparisons, but the deltas are so small that the two processors sit in essentially the same performance class. The average benchmark score for the Opteron is 1061, while the Intel lands at 1046. Both CPUs occupy the 29th percentile among all recorded CPUs in the database. The Intel's nearest rivals include the AMD PRO A10-8770 at an identical 1046 average, while the Opteron's closest competitor is the Intel Core i3-4360 at 1061, a 0% delta. These are not chips that blow each other out of the water; they trade blows in a very tight window.

The interesting detail is that the Opteron achieves these wins despite having half the cores of the Intel part. The Opteron uses 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel has 4 cores and 4 threads. Yet the multicore advantage for the AMD is only 1.5% in R23. That suggests the Intel's per-core efficiency is substantially higher, but the AMD's extra cores just barely tip the balance. The single-core tests show the AMD ahead by 1.4% to 2%, which is a counterintuitive result for a server chip against a newer mobile part. However, the margins are small enough that run-to-run variance could plausibly flip individual results.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two chips is generational and fundamental. The Opteron 4376 HE uses AMD's Piledriver architecture under the codename Seoul, built on a 32 nm process. It contains 1,200 million transistors on a 315 mm² die. The Core i5-6350HQ uses Intel's Skylake architecture (codename Skylake-H), fabricated on a 14 nm process with 2,300 million transistors on a 171 mm² die. The Intel packs nearly twice the transistor count into a die that is 144 mm² smaller. That density difference explains why the Intel can achieve comparable performance with half the cores.

The cache structures differ sharply. The Opteron has 384 KB of L1 cache, 8 MB of L2, and 8 MB of shared L3. The Intel has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. On a per-core basis, the Intel actually provides more L2 (256 KB per core versus 1 MB per core for the Opteron), but the Opteron's larger shared pool benefits its 8-thread workload.

The memory interfaces diverge as well. The Opteron supports DDR3, while the Intel supports both DDR3 and DDR4. The Intel has a dual-channel memory bus with a recorded bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s; the Opteron's memory bus and bandwidth are not recorded in the database. The Intel also integrates Intel Iris Pro 580 graphics and a Gen 3 PCIe interface with 16 CPU-only lanes. The Opteron has no integrated graphics and no recorded PCIe details.

The sockets are entirely different ecosystems: AMD Socket C32 for the Opteron versus Intel BGA 1440 for the Core i5. The BGA socket means the Intel is soldered to the board, while the C32 is a socketed server platform. The Intel's market segment is Mobile, while the Opteron's is Server/Workstation. The Intel is listed as end-of-life production, while the Opteron's production status is not recorded.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 4376 HE wins every recorded benchmark, but the margins are thin enough to treat it as a statistical tie in most scenarios. Its largest wins are 2% in R15 single-core and 1.6% in R23 single-core. For multicore workloads, the edge is a consistent 1.4% to 1.5%. The Opteron's 8 physical cores give it a structural advantage in multicore rendering, but the Intel's 4 cores close the gap to within 1.5%, which means the Intel's per-core efficiency is roughly double that of the AMD. The Opteron wins in every Cinebench run, but the Intel is not far behind in any of them.

The Intel Core i5-6350HQ wins in categories that are not directly benchmarked in this Cinebench suite. It has integrated Iris Pro 580 graphics, which the Opteron lacks entirely. It supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the AMD is limited to DDR3. The Intel has a lower TDP of 45 watts, versus 65 watts for the AMD, making the Intel more appropriate for power-constrained laptops. The Intel also has a much newer release date (January 2016 versus December 2012), so it benefits from newer platform features like dual-channel memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s.

The Opteron's advantages are in raw core count and the server market segment. It is a socketed CPU with 8 cores and 8 threads, which is a classic server profile. The Intel is a mobile chip with 4 cores and 4 threads. If the workload scales with core count and the software schedules well, the Opteron's 8 cores give it a slight edge, as the Cinebench results confirm. The R15 multicore score of 369 versus 364 is a direct example: the Opteron wins because it has more cores, not because each core is anywhere near the Intel's per-core performance.

The Verdict

The benchmark data says the AMD Opteron 4376 HE is the faster processor in every Cinebench test recorded. It wins all six head-to-head metrics, with deltas ranging from 1.4% to 2%. The average benchmark score of 1061 versus 1046 reinforces that the Opteron is marginally ahead in the database's overall scoring. For anyone who prioritizes Cinebench multicore or single-core scores, the data points clearly to the Opteron.

However, the context is decisive. The Opteron is a server/workstation chip from 2012, built on 32 nm, with no integrated graphics and no PCIe support in the database. The Intel is a mobile chip from 2016, built on 14 nm, with Iris Pro 580 graphics, dual-channel DDR3/DDR4 support, and a 34.1 GB/s memory bandwidth. The Intel's 45 W TDP versus the Opteron's 65 W, combined with a smaller die and newer process, means the Intel is a more modern platform choice. The Intel also has a recorded launch MSRP of $306, which you can look up if needed.

For a server or workstation workload that runs Cinebench-style multi-threaded rendering and does not need integrated graphics, the Opteron is the data-backed choice. For a mobile or compact system where per-core efficiency, graphics output, and modern memory support matter, the Intel is the obvious pick. The Cinebench scores are too close to recommend the Opteron on performance alone. The Opteron's 8-core advantage is real but small, and the Intel's platform advantages are not captured in these benchmarks. The data shows a narrow performance win for the AMD, but a wide feature gap in the Intel's favor.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher Cinebench R23 multicore score?

A: The AMD Opteron 4376 HE scores 3670, while the Intel Core i5-6350HQ scores 3616. That is a 1.5% difference in the Opteron's favor.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-6350HQ have integrated graphics?

A: Yes. The Intel lists Intel Iris Pro 580 as its integrated graphics. The AMD Opteron 4376 HE has no integrated graphics listed in the database.

Q: How do the TDP values compare?

A: The AMD Opteron 4376 HE has a 65 W TDP, and the Intel Core i5-6350HQ has a 45 W TDP. The Intel consumes less power according to the recorded specs.

Q: What is the difference in core counts?

A: The AMD Opteron 4376 HE has 8 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core i5-6350HQ has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Opteron 4376 HE averages 1061, while the Intel Core i5-6350HQ averages 1046. That is a 15-point difference.

Q: Are both processors in the same percentile of all CPUs?

A: Yes. Both sit at the 29th percentile in the database, meaning they are in the same overall performance tier.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Opteron 4376 HE | Intel Core i5-6350HQ |

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

| Cores | 8 | 4 |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.60 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 45 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket C32 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| Architecture | Piledriver | Skylake |

| Codename | Seoul | Skylake-H |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | Not listed | Intel |

| Transistors | 1,200 million | 2,300 million |

| Die Size | 315 mm² | 171 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 384 KB | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 8 MB | 256 KB (per core) |

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

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Not listed | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 34.1 GB/s |

| PCIe | Not listed | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Intel Iris Pro 580 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Production Status | Not listed | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2012-12-03 | 2016-01-23 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $306 |

| Part Number | OS4376OFU8KHK | SR2QZ |

The table highlights the core difference: the Opteron is a server chip with more cores, but the Intel is a modern mobile chip with denser transistors, integrated graphics, and a lower power envelope. The performance scores are nearly identical, but the platform context could not be more different.