AMD Opteron 6272 vs Intel Core i3-1005G1 Comparison

The AMD Opteron 6272 and Intel Core i3-1005G1 represent two vastly different eras of processor design, with the former being a 16-core server behemoth from 2011 and the latter a 2-core mobile part from 2019. Despite the generational gap and contrasting architectures, their average benchmark scores are remarkably close, with the Opteron achieving 1288 and the Core i3 achieving 1265. The data reveals a classic confrontation between raw multi-core throughput and modern efficiency, though the benchmark results show the older chip maintains a consistent, albeit modest, lead across all tested workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are decisively one-sided in favor of the AMD Opteron 6272, which wins all six Cinebench comparisons. The largest margin is in the Cinebench R15 single-core test, where the Opteron scores 63 against the Core i3's 57, a 10.5% advantage. This is a surprising result for a server chip from 2011, but the data is clear: the Opteron's older Bulldozer core, running at a base clock of 2.10 GHz, outperforms the Ice Lake core's 1.20 GHz base clock in this specific legacy test. The Cinebench R20 single-core test shows a similar pattern, with the Opteron winning 263 to 241, a 9.1% delta.

In multi-core workloads, the Opteron's 16 physical cores provide a more substantial buffer. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows the Opteron scoring 448 against the Core i3's 410, a 9.3% win. This gap widens slightly in the newer Cinebench R20 multi-core test, where the Opteron scores 1870 versus 1709, a 9.4% difference. The Cinebench R23 multi-core results follow the same trend, with the Opteron at 4454 and the Core i3 at 4070, again a 9.4% delta. The single-core R23 test also shows a 9.4% advantage for the Opteron, with scores of 628 and 574 respectively.

These margins are consistent across all tests, hovering around 9-10%. The data suggests that the Opteron's high core count and higher base clock compensate for its older architecture, while the Core i3's higher boost clock of 3.40 GHz cannot overcome its dual-core limitation in these threaded benchmarks. The Opteron's percentile ranking of 35 places it alongside the Intel Core i5-3570K, which scores 1293, a -0.4% delta. The Core i3's percentile of 35 is comparable to the Intel Xeon W-2102, which scores 1264, a 0.1% delta. Both chips sit in the same performance tier, but the Opteron edges ahead in every Cinebench iteration tested.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Opteron 6272 achieves a score of 628, while the Intel Core i3-1005G1 scores 574. This represents a 9.4% advantage for the Opteron in this specific test.

Q: How do the multi-core scores compare between the two processors?

A: The Opteron wins all multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 4454 against the Core i3's 4070, a 9.4% difference. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the scores are 448 and 410 respectively, a 9.3% delta.

Q: Are there any benchmarks where the Intel Core i3-1005G1 outperforms the AMD Opteron 6272?

A: No. According to the head-to-head data, the Opteron wins 6 out of 6 tests, with the Core i3 winning 0. The Core i3 does have an additional Geekbench result, but no comparable Opteron score is listed for that test.

Q: What is the difference in their average benchmark scores?

A: The AMD Opteron 6272 has an average benchmark score of 1288, while the Intel Core i3-1005G1 has an average score of 1265. This is a difference of 23 points in favor of the Opteron.

Q: How do these processors compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The Opteron's nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-3630QM, which has an average score of 1289, a -0.1% delta from the Opteron. The Core i3's nearest rival is the Intel Xeon W-2102, with an average score of 1264, a 0.1% delta.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two chips?

A: The AMD Opteron 6272 has a TDP of 115 watts, while the Intel Core i3-1005G1 has a TDP of 15 watts. This indicates a significant difference in power consumption and thermal output.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural divide is stark. The AMD Opteron 6272 is built on the Bulldozer architecture, codenamed Interlagos, using a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It features 16 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.00 GHz. The chip is designed for the AMD Socket G34 platform and targets the Server/Workstation market segment. Its cache hierarchy is unusual: 768 KB of L1, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 8 MB of L3 per die. The transistor count is listed at 2,400 million across a die size of 2x 315 mm². It supports DDR3 memory via a quad-channel bus, providing 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth, and includes ECC memory support. PCIe connectivity is Gen 2.

In contrast, the Intel Core i3-1005G1 uses the Ice Lake architecture, specifically the Sunny Cove-U core, and is manufactured on a 10 nm process by Intel. It has only 2 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 1.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. It uses the Intel BGA 1526 socket and is designed for the Mobile market segment. The cache is simpler: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The die size is 123 mm². Memory support is DDR4 via a dual-channel bus, also providing 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth. ECC memory is not supported. PCIe connectivity is Gen 3. The Intel chip includes integrated UHD Graphics, while the Opteron has none. The Core i3 is an Active production part, whereas the Opteron is End-of-life.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Opteron 6272 is the faster processor in every Cinebench test conducted. For workloads that rely on multi-threaded performance, such as rendering or scientific computing, the Opteron's 16 cores deliver a consistent 9.4% advantage over the Core i3 in Cinebench R23 multi-core. Its lead in single-core tests, while smaller, is still present, with a 10.5% margin in R15 and 9.4% in R23. The Opteron's average benchmark score of 1288 is higher than the Core i3's 1265, and it ranks at the 35th percentile, matching the Core i3's percentile despite having more cores.

However, the choice is not solely about raw performance. The Intel Core i3-1005G1 operates at a TDP of 15 watts, which is drastically lower than the Opteron's 115 watts. This makes the Core i3 suitable for mobile devices and low-power systems, while the Opteron requires a server platform with substantial cooling. The Core i3 also supports modern features like DDR4 memory, PCIe Gen 3, and integrated graphics, which the Opteron lacks. The Opteron's DDR3 and PCIe Gen 2 support are legacy standards. For a user building a new system, the Core i3's platform advantages and active production status are compelling, despite its lower benchmark scores. For a user seeking maximum throughput in a server environment with existing G34 infrastructure, the Opteron's higher scores and ECC support are decisive. The data shows a performance winner in the Opteron, but a platform and efficiency winner in the Core i3.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. The Opteron has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the Core i3 has 2 cores and 4 threads. The base clock is 2.10 GHz for the Opteron and 1.20 GHz for the Core i3, but the boost clock is 3.00 GHz for the Opteron and 3.40 GHz for the Core i3. TDP is 115 watts versus 15 watts. The sockets are different: AMD Socket G34 versus Intel BGA 1526. The process nodes are 32 nm versus 10 nm. The Opteron uses the Bulldozer architecture, while the Core i3 uses Ice Lake. Cache configurations differ significantly: the Opteron has 768 KB L1, 2 MB L2 per module, and 8 MB L3 per die, while the Core i3 has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR3 quad-channel versus DDR4 dual-channel, though both achieve 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported on the Opteron but not the Core i3. PCIe is Gen 2 on the Opteron and Gen 3 on the Core i3. The Opteron has no integrated graphics, while the Core i3 includes UHD Graphics. The market segments are Server/Workstation versus Mobile. The Opteron is End-of-life, while the Core i3 is Active. The Opteron was released on 2011-11-13, while the Core i3 was released on 2019-07-31. The Opteron has a launch MSRP of $523; the Core i3 has no listed launch MSRP. The Opteron's die size is 2x 315 mm² with 2,400 million transistors, while the Core i3's die is 123 mm² with no transistor count listed.