AMD Opteron 6220 vs Intel Core i3-4170 Comparison

The AMD Opteron 6220 and Intel Core i3-4170 are both end-of-life processors, but they target different market segments: the Opteron is a server/workstation part, while the i3 is a desktop chip. In the database's head-to-head Cinebench suite, the Opteron 6220 wins all five comparisons, with deltas between 32.8% and 33%. The Opteron's average benchmark score is 1168, while the i3-4170's is 1193, but that average includes Geekbench results where the i3 has data and the Opteron does not. This analysis covers the recorded benchmarks, specifications, and architecture differences.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are unambiguous: the AMD Opteron 6220 outperforms the Intel Core i3-4170 in every Cinebench test recorded. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Opteron scores 407 against the i3's 306, a 33% lead. The same 33% advantage appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Opteron posts 1696 versus 1275. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows a similar pattern: 4040 for the Opteron, 3038 for the i3, again a 33% gap.

Single-core results follow the same trend, though the margins are slightly smaller. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Opteron scores 239, the i3 scores 180, a 32.8% difference. Cinebench R23 single-core gives the Opteron 570 and the i3 429, a 32.9% lead. These are not marginal wins; the Opteron is consistently about a third faster across the entire Cinebench suite.

The Opteron's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i5-3570S (average score 1169, delta -0.1%) and the Intel Core i7-2960XM (1169, -0.1%). The i3-4170's nearest rivals include the AMD Athlon PRO 300U (1193, 0%) and the Intel Core i7-8665UE (1193, 0%). Both processors sit at the 33rd percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are in the lower half of performance, but the Opteron's head-to-head wins show it is the stronger compute part in these specific workloads.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the recorded benchmark data, the AMD Opteron 6220 is the faster processor for Cinebench workloads. It wins all five head-to-head tests, with leads of roughly 33% in multi-core and 32.8% to 32.9% in single-core. If the task is raw CPU rendering or multi-threaded compute, the Opteron is the clear choice.

The Intel Core i3-4170, however, has its own advantages that are not captured in the Cinebench suite. It includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 4400), which the Opteron lacks entirely. It also has a much lower TDP (54 watts versus 115 watts) and a higher base clock (3.70 GHz versus 3.00 GHz). For a desktop user who needs a simple, low-power system with built-in display output, the i3 is the practical option. For a server or workstation that prioritizes compute throughput, the Opteron's benchmark dominance makes it the better pick.

The database shows that the i3-4170 has a higher average benchmark score (1193) than the Opteron (1168), but that average includes Geekbench results where the i3 has data and the Opteron does not. In the head-to-head Cinebench tests, the Opteron wins every time. The verdict is clear: the Opteron wins on raw performance, the i3 wins on power efficiency and integrated graphics.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Opteron 6220 has 8 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core i3-4170 has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the AMD Opteron 6220 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i3-4170 does not.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i3-4170 includes Intel HD 4400 integrated graphics. The AMD Opteron 6220 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth differences?

A: The Opteron 6220 has quad-channel memory with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The i3-4170 has dual-channel memory with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i3-4170 has a base clock of 3.70 GHz. The AMD Opteron 6220 has a base clock of 3.00 GHz, but it also has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, which the i3 does not have.

Q: What are the release dates?

A: The AMD Opteron 6220 was released on November 13, 2011. The Intel Core i3-4170 was released on April 30, 2014.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification. The Opteron 6220 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the i3-4170 has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Opteron's base clock is 3.00 GHz with a boost clock of 3.60 GHz; the i3 has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and no boost clock. TDP is 115 watts for the Opteron and 54 watts for the i3. The Opteron uses AMD Socket G34, the i3 uses Intel Socket 1150. The Opteron is built on a 32 nm process by GlobalFoundries, with 2,400 million transistors and a die size of 2x 315 mm². The i3 is on a 22 nm process by Intel, with 1,400 million transistors and a die size of 177 mm².

Cache configurations also differ. The Opteron has 768 KB of L1 cache, 2 MB of L2 cache per module, and 8 MB of L3 cache per die. The i3 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 3 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support is DDR3 for both, but the Opteron uses quad-channel with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the i3 uses dual-channel with 25.6 GB/s. ECC memory is supported only on the Opteron. PCIe generation differs: the Opteron has Gen 2, the i3 has Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Opteron has no integrated graphics; the i3 has Intel HD 4400. Market segments are server/workstation for the Opteron and desktop for the i3. The Opteron's launch MSRP was $523, while the i3's launch MSRP was $117.

Architecture Differences

The Opteron 6220 is based on AMD's Bulldozer architecture, codenamed Interlagos, part of the Opteron 6000 series. It uses a 32 nm process from GlobalFoundries and packs 2,400 million transistors across two dies, each 315 mm². The i3-4170 uses Intel's Haswell architecture, a 22 nm process from Intel, with 1,400 million transistors on a single 177 mm² die. The Opteron's Bulldozer design emphasizes multi-threaded throughput with eight cores, while the i3's Haswell design focuses on per-core efficiency and includes integrated graphics.

The Opteron supports quad-channel DDR3 memory with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s and ECC, making it suitable for server workloads. The i3 supports dual-channel DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s and no ECC. The Opteron has PCIe Gen 2, while the i3 has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The i3 includes Intel HD 4400 integrated graphics, a feature absent from the Opteron. The Opteron's cache hierarchy is module-based (2 MB L2 per module, 8 MB L3 per die), while the i3 uses per-core L1 and L2 caches with a shared 3 MB L3. These architectural differences explain the performance and feature gaps: the Opteron is built for raw compute and memory bandwidth, the i3 for low-power desktop use with integrated graphics.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 6220 wins in every Cinebench benchmark recorded, both multi-core and single-core. Its 33% lead in multi-core tests (407 vs 306 in R15, 1696 vs 1275 in R20, 4040 vs 3038 in R23) makes it the clear choice for rendering, video encoding, or any workload that scales with cores. Even in single-core tests, the Opteron is ahead by 32.8% to 32.9%, which is surprising given the i3's higher base clock. The Opteron's boost clock of 3.60 GHz and its larger cache likely contribute to this advantage.

The Intel Core i3-4170 wins in areas not covered by the Cinebench suite. It has integrated graphics, so it can drive a display without a separate GPU. Its TDP of 54 watts is less than half the Opteron's 115 watts, making it suitable for compact, low-power systems. The i3 also has a higher base clock (3.70 GHz) and a newer release date (2014 vs 2011). For a desktop user who needs a simple, quiet, and energy-efficient machine with basic graphics, the i3 is the better fit. For a server or workstation that demands maximum compute performance and ECC memory support, the Opteron is the superior choice based on the recorded data.