AMD Opteron 6212 vs Intel Core i3-N300 Comparison

The AMD Opteron 6212 and Intel Core i3-N300 are both 8-core, 8-thread processors, but they come from opposite ends of the hardware timeline. The Opteron 6212 is a server and workstation part from the Opteron 6000 series, built on Bulldozer architecture and released in November 2011. The Core i3-N300 is a mobile processor using Gracemont architecture from the Alder Lake-N generation, released in January 2023. The recorded benchmark data shows the Intel part winning 4 of 5 head-to-head tests, while the AMD part takes a single, decisive multicore victory. Both chips land in the same performance neighborhood overall, with the Opteron at the 33rd percentile of all CPUs and the Core i3-N300 at the 32nd.

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head data shows a clear split. The Intel Core i3-N300 wins 4 of the 5 recorded Cinebench tests. It takes the R15 multicore test with 416 against 340, an 18.3% margin. It dominates the R20 multicore test with 2849 against 1418, a 50.2% margin. It also wins R20 single-core with 401 against 199, a 50.4% margin, and R23 single-core with 513 against 476, a 7.2% margin.

The AMD Opteron 6212 wins only one test, but it is a big one: R23 multicore, where it scores 3377 against 2546, a 32.6% margin. This suggests the Opteron's older Bulldozer design can still out-sustain the Gracemont part in a specific heavy multi-threaded workload, even though it loses the other multicore tests.

The pattern is telling. The i3-N300 wins the older R15 and R20 multicore tests, but the Opteron wins the newer R23 multicore test. The single-core tests all go to Intel, with the R20 single-core gap being the largest at 50.4%. For workloads that resemble R23 multicore, the Opteron has a real edge. For everything else in the dataset, the Core i3-N300 is ahead.

Architecture Differences

The two chips are built on fundamentally different designs. The Opteron 6212 uses AMD's Bulldozer architecture, codenamed Interlagos, on a 32nm process from GlobalFoundries. It packs 2,400 million transistors across a dual-die design with each die measuring 315 mm². The Core i3-N300 uses Intel's Gracemont architecture from the Alder Lake-N generation, built on a 10nm process at Intel.

The Opteron is a server and workstation part on AMD Socket G34, while the Core i3-N300 is a mobile part on Intel BGA 1264. The Opteron supports DDR3 memory over a quad-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The Core i3-N300 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, but over a single-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The Opteron supports ECC memory; the Core i3-N300 does not.

Cache layouts differ as well. The Opteron has 768 KB of L1 cache, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 8 MB of L3 per die. The Core i3-N300 has 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 6 MB of shared L3.

The Opteron uses PCIe Gen 2, while the Core i3-N300 uses PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes from the CPU. The Core i3-N300 includes integrated UHD Graphics 770; the Opteron has no integrated graphics. The Opteron carries a 115W TDP, while the Core i3-N300 is rated at just 7W. The Opteron is end-of-life, while the Core i3-N300 is still active. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded Cinebench results show a lopsided contest with one notable reversal.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core i3-N300 scores 416 against the Opteron's 340. That is an 18.3% lead for Intel. The margin is moderate, but it sets the tone for the older test generation.

In Cinebench R20 multicore, the gap widens dramatically. The Core i3-N300 scores 2849, while the Opteron manages 1418. The Intel part is 50.2% ahead. This is the largest multicore gap in the dataset.

In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Core i3-N300 scores 401 against 199. That is a 50.4% lead, the largest single-core gap recorded. The Opteron's single-core performance is roughly half of the Intel part's in this test.

In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core i3-N300 scores 513 against 476, a 7.2% lead. This is the closest single-core result, and it shows the Opteron is not entirely outclassed in lightly threaded work.

The one AMD win comes in Cinebench R23 multicore. The Opteron scores 3377 against the Core i3-N300's 2546, a 32.6% margin. This is a striking reversal given the R20 multicore result, where Intel led by 50.2%. The two chips clearly respond differently to the R23 workload.

Overall, the Core i3-N300 wins 4 of 5 head-to-head tests. The Opteron's single win is the largest margin in the AMD direction, but it does not offset the Intel part's broader dominance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Opteron 6212 has an average benchmark score of 1162, while the Intel Core i3-N300 has an average of 1135. The Opteron sits slightly ahead in the aggregate, despite losing 4 of 5 head-to-head tests.

Q: How does the Opteron 6212 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Opteron 6212's average score of 1162 is 0.4% behind the Intel Core i5-3450 (1166), 0.5% ahead of the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2312 (1156), 0.5% behind the AMD Opteron 6220 (1168), and 0.6% behind the Intel Core i5-3570S (1169).

Q: How does the Core i3-N300 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Core i3-N300's average score of 1135 is 0.1% behind the Intel Core i5-3570T (1136), 0.1% behind the Intel Core i5-2550K (1136), 0.1% behind the Intel Xeon E5640 (1137), and 0.3% behind the AMD Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE (1138).

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Opteron 6212 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i3-N300 does not.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Opteron 6212 supports DDR3 over a quad-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The Core i3-N300 supports DDR4 and DDR5 over a single-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i3-N300 includes UHD Graphics 770. The AMD Opteron 6212 has no integrated graphics.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Opteron 6212 | Intel Core i3-N300 |

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

| Boost clock | 3.20 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 115W | 7W |

| Socket | AMD Socket G34 | Intel BGA 1264 |

| Architecture | Bulldozer | Gracemont |

| Process node | 32 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| L1 cache | 768 KB | 96 KB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 8 MB (per die) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR3 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory bus | Quad-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 2 | Gen 3, 9 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | None | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Market segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Production status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release date | 2011-11-13 | 2023-01-02 |

| Launch MSRP | $266 | $309 |

The Verdict

The data points to different buyers for each chip. The Intel Core i3-N300 is the stronger all-around performer in the recorded benchmarks, winning 4 of 5 head-to-head tests. It leads in single-core across the board, with margins from 7.2% to 50.4%. It also wins the R15 and R20 multicore tests. Its 7W TDP and integrated UHD Graphics 770 make it a sensible choice for mobile or low-power systems where the Opteron's 115W TDP and lack of integrated graphics would be a problem.

The AMD Opteron 6212 is the pick only for workloads that match the R23 multicore pattern. Its 32.6% win in that test is substantial, and its quad-channel DDR3 memory with 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth and ECC support give it server-oriented credentials. The Opteron also holds a slight edge in average benchmark score, 1162 against 1135, and sits at the 33rd percentile versus the Core i3-N300's 32nd.

The Core i3-N300 is the better default choice from the recorded data. The Opteron's single R23 multicore win, while large, does not outweigh the Intel part's four wins, including two with margins above 50%. Buyers who need ECC memory, quad-channel bandwidth, or a server socket should look at the Opteron. Buyers who need single-core speed, integrated graphics, or low power draw should take the Core i3-N300.