AMD Opteron 6272 vs Intel Core i3-7100T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent pattern across every shared benchmark: the AMD Opteron 6272 wins all five head-to-head comparisons, with margins of roughly 40% in each test. The smallest edge appears in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the Opteron scores 263 against the Core i3-7100T's 188, a 39.9% advantage. The other four tests cluster tightly between 40.2% and 40.4% deltas, indicating the performance gap is uniform rather than workload-dependent.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Opteron 6272 scores 448 versus 319 for the Core i3-7100T, a 40.4% lead. The R20 multi-core test shows 1870 against 1333, a 40.3% margin. Cinebench R23 multi-core repeats the pattern with 4454 versus 3175, again 40.3%. Even the single-core tests, where a 2-core Kaby Lake part might be expected to compete, show the Opteron ahead by roughly 40%: R20 single-core at 263 versus 188 and R23 single-core at 628 versus 448. The consistency of these deltas suggests the Opteron's advantage is structural, not benchmark-specific.

The average benchmark scores tell a similar story, though with a smaller gap. The Opteron 6272 averages 1288 across all recorded tests, placing it in the 35th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Core i3-7100T averages 1258, sitting at the 34th percentile. The 30-point average difference is modest, but the head-to-head data reveals why: the Opteron was tested in different workloads than the i3 in the broader benchmark set, and the shared Cinebench tests all favor AMD.

Looking at nearest rivals in the database, the Opteron 6272's average score of 1288 sits within 0.4% of the Intel Core i5-3570K at 1293, and essentially matches the Core i7-3630QM at 1289 (delta -0.1%). The Core i3-7100T's 1258 average is 0.2% below the AMD Athlon 200GE at 1261 and 0.2% below the Core i7-3615QM at 1260. Both processors occupy similar overall performance tiers, despite the Opteron's decisive head-to-head wins. This is because the i3's database includes Geekbench scores that are not present for the Opteron, and those scores pull its average up relative to its Cinebench results.

Where Each One Wins

The Opteron 6272 wins every workload represented in the shared benchmark suite. Multi-threaded rendering workloads show the largest absolute margins: 129 points in R15 multi-core, 537 in R20 multi-core, and 1279 in R23 multi-core. These are the tests where 16 cores versus 2 cores should matter most, and the data confirms it. The Opteron's 16 threads allow it to maintain a roughly 40% advantage in all multi-core tests, regardless of the Cinebench version.

What is more surprising is the single-core results. The Core i3-7100T has a 3.40 GHz base clock with no boost, while the Opteron 6272 runs at 2.10 GHz base and 3.00 GHz boost. Despite the i3's higher clock speed, the Opteron still wins single-core tests by about 40%. The R20 single-core score of 263 versus 188 and the R23 single-core score of 628 versus 448 both favor AMD. This suggests the Bulldozer architecture's single-thread performance, while often criticized, is sufficient to outpace this particular low-power Kaby Lake part in the database's measured workloads.

The Core i3-7100T has no wins in the head-to-head data. Its only recorded advantages are in areas not covered by shared benchmarks: it has integrated graphics (Intel HD 630), a lower 35 W TDP, DDR4 support, and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes. These are specification-level advantages, not benchmark wins. For workloads that rely on the CPU alone in Cinebench-style rendering, the i3 cannot match the Opteron's throughput.

For use-case analysis, the Opteron 6272 is the clear choice for multi-threaded rendering, compilation, or any workload that scales across 16 cores. The Core i3-7100T's role would be limited to scenarios where its integrated GPU, lower power draw, or modern platform features (DDR4, PCIe Gen 3) are the deciding factor, since its compute performance trails in every measured test.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The AMD Opteron 6272 uses the Bulldozer architecture, codenamed Interlagos, built on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It belongs to the Opteron 6000 series and targets the server and workstation market. The Intel Core i3-7100T uses Kaby Lake, built on Intel's 14 nm process, and targets desktop systems.

Core counts differ dramatically: the Opteron has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the Core i3 has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Opteron's cache hierarchy is organized by module and die: 768 KB of L1, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 8 MB of L3 per die. The Core i3 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 3 MB of shared L3. The Opteron's dual-die design, with 2x 315 mm² dies and 2,400 million transistors, contrasts with the i3's single-die construction (transistor count and die size not recorded in the database).

Memory support differs fundamentally. The Opteron uses DDR3 with a quad-channel memory bus and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, plus ECC support. The Core i3 uses DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, without ECC. The Opteron's higher memory bandwidth is consistent with its server positioning. PCIe support also differs: the Opteron has PCIe Gen 2, while the Core i3 has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes.

The Opteron 6272 was released on 2011-11-13 with a launch MSRP of $523 and is now end-of-life. The Core i3-7100T was released on 2017-01-02 and remains active in production. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not a differentiating factor. The Opteron lacks integrated graphics entirely; the Core i3 includes Intel HD 630. The Opteron's TDP is 115 W, while the Core i3's is 35 W, a significant difference for system power budgets and cooling requirements.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion for compute-bound workloads: the AMD Opteron 6272 outperforms the Intel Core i3-7100T by approximately 40% in every shared benchmark, including single-core tests. The Opteron's 16-core design and higher memory bandwidth deliver consistent wins in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both multi-core and single-core. For anyone running CPU-intensive rendering or multi-threaded applications, the Opteron is the stronger processor based on measured results.

The Core i3-7100T's advantages are not visible in benchmark scores but in platform features. It offers integrated graphics, DDR4 support, PCIe Gen 3, a 35 W TDP, and an active production status. These attributes make it suitable for compact desktop builds, low-power systems, or configurations where the integrated GPU eliminates the need for a discrete graphics card. The Opteron's server socket (G34), lack of integrated graphics, and 115 W TDP require a more substantial platform.

The percentile rankings are nearly identical (35th for the Opteron, 34th for the Core i3), and their average scores differ by only 30 points. But the head-to-head data is unambiguous: in the tests where both were measured, the Opteron wins every time by roughly 40%. The i3's overall average is buoyed by Geekbench scores that the Opteron does not have recorded, which explains why its percentile is close despite losing all shared tests.

Buyers should choose based on workload. If the task is multi-threaded rendering or server-style compute, the Opteron 6272 is the data-backed pick. If the requirement is a low-power desktop CPU with modern platform features and integrated graphics, the Core i3-7100T is the only one of the two that can fulfill that role. The Opteron has no integrated GPU, no DDR4 support, and no PCIe Gen 3, so it cannot substitute for the i3 in those scenarios.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Opteron 6272 wins all multi-core Cinebench tests: R15 multi-core 448 versus 319 (40.4% ahead), R20 multi-core 1870 versus 1333 (40.3% ahead), and R23 multi-core 4454 versus 3175 (40.3% ahead).

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-7100T win any benchmark?

A: No. The head-to-head data records 5 wins for the AMD Opteron 6272 and 0 wins for the Intel Core i3-7100T. The i3's only advantages are in specifications, not benchmark scores.

Q: How do their overall average scores compare?

A: The Opteron 6272 averages 1288 across all recorded benchmarks, placing in the 35th percentile. The Core i3-7100T averages 1258, placing in the 34th percentile. The difference is 30 points.

Q: What memory types do they support?

A: The Opteron 6272 supports DDR3 with a quad-channel bus and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Core i3-7100T supports DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Do either of these processors support ECC memory?

A: Only the AMD Opteron 6272 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i3-7100T does not.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i3-7100T includes Intel HD 630 integrated graphics. The AMD Opteron 6272 has no integrated graphics.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Opteron 6272 | Intel Core i3-7100T |

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

| Cores | 16 | 2 |

| Threads | 16 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.00 GHz | None |

| TDP | 115 W | 35 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket G34 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Bulldozer | Kaby Lake |

| Codename | Interlagos | Kaby Lake |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 2,400 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 2x 315 mm² | Not recorded |

| L1 Cache | 768 KB | 64 KB per core |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB per module | 256 KB per core |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB per die | 3 MB shared |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 2 | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Intel HD 630 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2011-11-13 | 2017-01-02 |

| Part Number | OS6272WKTGGGU | SR35P |