AMD Opteron 6272 vs Intel Core i5-4430S Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the AMD Opteron 6272 and the Intel Core i5-4430S is remarkably one-sided across all six Cinebench tests. Every single head-to-head result favors the AMD Opteron 6272, with the margin holding consistently near 20% in every discipline.

Starting with Cinebench R15 multicore, the Opteron 6272 scores 448 against the Core i5-4430S's 373, a 20.1% advantage. The single-core R15 test tells a similar story: 63 versus 52, a 21.2% lead for AMD. This consistency is striking — the AMD chip wins by roughly the same proportion whether the workload is heavily threaded or entirely single-threaded.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the Opteron 6272 posts 1870 multicore versus 1558 for the Intel part, a 20% delta. Single-core R20 shows 263 against 219, again a 20.1% gap. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R23: 4454 versus 3710 multicore (20.1% ahead) and 628 versus 523 single-core (20.1% ahead). Across all six tests, the deltas cluster tightly between 20% and 21.2%, indicating that the performance relationship between these two processors is remarkably stable regardless of workload type or Cinebench version.

The average benchmark scores reinforce this picture. The Opteron 6272 carries an average benchmark score of 1288, while the Core i5-4430S sits at 1274. Both processors land at the 35th percentile among all CPUs tracked, meaning they occupy the same overall performance tier despite the Opteron's consistent head-to-head wins. The Opteron's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-3630QM (1289, 0.1% higher) and the Core i5-3570K (1293, 0.4% higher), while the Core i5-4430S's closest competitor is the Intel Atom x7425E (1273, just 0.1% behind). In absolute terms, both processors cluster within a narrow band around the 1270-1290 average score range, yet the direct Cinebench comparison shows no test where the Intel chip pulls ahead.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark tests in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The AMD Opteron 6272 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests. The Intel Core i5-4430S records zero wins in the comparison.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors in any single test?

A: The largest delta is 21.2%, achieved in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Opteron 6272 scores 63 versus the Core i5-4430S's 52.

Q: How do the two processors compare in average benchmark score?

A: The Opteron 6272 has an average benchmark score of 1288, while the Core i5-4430S averages 1274 — a difference of 14 points in favor of AMD.

Q: Do both processors rank at the same percentile among all CPUs?

A: Yes, both the AMD Opteron 6272 and the Intel Core i5-4430S are listed at the 35th percentile of all CPUs tracked in the benchmark database.

Q: Are the Cinebench performance gaps consistent across different test versions?

A: Yes, the deltas are highly consistent. Cinebench R15 multicore shows 20.1%, R20 multicore shows 20%, and R23 multicore shows 20.1%. Single-core results range from 20.1% to 21.2%.

Q: Does the Intel chip have any benchmark advantage in the head-to-head data?

A: No. The data shows zero wins for the Intel Core i5-4430S across all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, with no test where it matches or exceeds the Opteron's score.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 6272 dominates every measured workload category in this comparison. Its wins span both multicore and single-core tests across three generations of Cinebench (R15, R20, and R23). This means the Opteron holds the advantage in heavily parallelized rendering tasks — the R15 multicore score of 448 versus 373 demonstrates a clear edge in multi-threaded workloads. But it also wins in lightly threaded scenarios, as the R15 single-core result of 63 versus 52 shows. There is no workload category in the head-to-head data where the Intel Core i5-4430S takes the lead.

The Intel Core i5-4430S, despite its lack of head-to-head wins, does have one unique data point not available for the Opteron: a Geekbench multicore score of 2773 and a Geekbench single-core score of 980. These are not compared directly against AMD results, since the Opteron's benchmark list contains no Geekbench entries. So while the Intel chip cannot claim a head-to-head victory, it does have additional benchmark coverage that the Opteron lacks.

For real-world application splits, the data suggests the Opteron 6272 is the stronger choice for any Cinebench-style rendering or 3D visualization workload, regardless of thread count. The Intel part would only be preferable in scenarios where its integrated graphics (Intel HD 4600) matter, since the Opteron has no integrated graphics at all. The Opteron's server/workstation market segment and the Core i5's desktop segment also point to different deployment contexts, but within the measured benchmarks, AMD holds every advantage.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every fundamental specification category. The AMD Opteron 6272 packs 16 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-4430S offers just 4 cores and 4 threads — a fourfold difference in core count and thread count. Base clocks differ: the Opteron runs at 2.10 GHz versus the Core i5's 2.70 GHz, and boost clocks are 3.00 GHz versus 3.20 GHz respectively. The Intel chip has the higher clock speeds, yet still loses every benchmark.

Power consumption separates them substantially: the Opteron 6272 has a 115W TDP, while the Core i5-4430S is rated at 65W — the Intel part draws considerably less power. Sockets are incompatible: AMD uses Socket G34, while Intel uses Socket 1150. Memory support shows the Opteron with quad-channel DDR3 and a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, whereas the Core i5 uses dual-channel DDR3 with no specified bandwidth figure. ECC memory is supported on the Opteron but not on the Intel part. PCIe generations differ: the Opteron offers Gen 2, while the Core i5 has Gen 3. The Intel chip includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 4600), which the Opteron lacks entirely.

Market segments diverge as well: the Opteron is positioned as a Server/Workstation part and is marked end-of-life, while the Core i5 targets the Desktop segment. Release dates differ by about a year and a half, with the Opteron launching in 2011 and the Core i5 in 2013. The Opteron carries a launch MSRP of $523; no launch MSRP is listed for the Core i5. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both are locked for overclocking.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gulf between these two chips is substantial. The AMD Opteron 6272 uses the Bulldozer architecture under the Interlagos codename, part of the Opteron 6000 series. It is built on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries, using 2,400 million transistors across a dual-die design measuring 2x 315 mm². Its cache hierarchy is organized around modules: 768 KB of L1 cache, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 8 MB of L3 per die. This modular design differs fundamentally from the Intel Core i5-4430S, which uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process at Intel's own foundry. The Haswell chip uses 1,400 million transistors on a single 177 mm² die.

Intel's cache layout is per-core: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. The Opteron's dual-die approach with separate L3 per die contrasts with the Core i5's unified shared L3. The transistor count difference is notable — AMD packs 2,400 million transistors versus Intel's 1,400 million — though the AMD chip spreads them across two larger dies at a more mature process node. The Intel part's smaller 22 nm process allows for a much smaller die (177 mm² versus 2x 315 mm²) and lower power draw (65W versus 115W), while still achieving competitive performance per clock in some workloads.

The Opteron's 16-core design at lower clocks represents AMD's server-oriented Bulldozer philosophy, while the Core i5's 4-core Haswell design at higher clocks reflects Intel's desktop efficiency focus. The integrated memory controller differs as well: quad-channel on AMD versus dual-channel on Intel, which explains the Opteron's 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth advantage. The Opteron also supports ECC memory, a critical server feature absent on the Core i5. PCIe generation also favors Intel (Gen 3 versus Gen 2), though this does not appear in the benchmark results.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Opteron 6272 outperforms the Intel Core i5-4430S in every measured benchmark, with consistent margins around 20%. For users prioritizing raw Cinebench rendering performance, the Opteron is the clear choice — it wins 6 out of 6 head-to-head tests, with no category favoring Intel. Its 16-core design, quad-channel memory, and ECC support make it suitable for server and workstation environments where multi-threaded throughput and memory reliability matter.

However, the Intel Core i5-4430S should not be dismissed entirely. Its 65W TDP is substantially lower than the Opteron's 115W, making it a more power-efficient option for desktop builds. It includes integrated graphics, which the Opteron lacks entirely, and supports PCIe Gen 3 with a newer 22 nm process. For desktop users who need a complete processor with graphics output and lower power consumption, the Core i5 offers those advantages — even if it loses every head-to-head benchmark.

The average benchmark scores tell a nuanced story: both processors sit at the 35th percentile, and their average scores (1288 versus 1274) are close, with the Opteron's nearest rivals including the Core i7-3630QM and Core i5-3570K. The head-to-head Cinebench results, though, show a decisive AMD victory across the board. Users who need maximum rendering performance should select the Opteron 6272; users who need an efficient desktop chip with integrated graphics and a modern socket should consider the Core i5-4430S, accepting its benchmark deficit. The choice ultimately depends on whether the workload prioritizes the Opteron's 20% performance advantage or the Core i5's lower power draw and integrated feature set.