AMD Opteron 6328 vs Intel Core i3-7100T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a remarkably one-sided contest. Across every shared benchmark in the database, the AMD Opteron 6328 emerges victorious, with the Intel Core i3-7100T trailing by a consistent margin of approximately 29.6% in all cases. This uniformity across different workloads is striking, suggesting the gap is structural rather than workload-dependent.

In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the Opteron scores 454 against the i3's 319, a delta of -29.7%. The pattern holds in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the Opteron posts 1894 versus the i3's 1333, again a 29.6% deficit for Intel. The results scale identically in Cinebench R23 multicore: 4510 for AMD versus 3175 for Intel, with the same -29.6% delta. Even in single-threaded tests, where the i3's higher base clock might suggest an advantage, the Opteron wins: Cinebench R20 single-core shows 267 versus 188, and R23 single-core shows 636 versus 448, both at -29.6%. The i3-7100T does not register a single victory in the head-to-head data, while the Opteron claims all five recorded wins.

The average benchmark scores tell a similar story, though the gap narrows. The Opteron's average score sits at 1304, while the i3 averages 1258, a difference of roughly 3.7%. This smaller gap in the aggregate metric reflects that the Opteron's benchmark suite includes additional single-core results that pull its average down relative to its multicore dominance. The percentiles are nearly identical: the Opteron sits at the 35th percentile of all CPUs, the i3 at the 34th, meaning both processors occupy a similar tier in the global performance distribution despite the Opteron's consistent benchmark wins.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies and eras. The Intel Core i3-7100T is a Kaby Lake part built on a 14 nm process by Intel, while the AMD Opteron 6328 is an Abu Dhabi part from the Piledriver architecture, manufactured by GlobalFoundries on a 32 nm node. The i3 features 2 cores and 4 threads, while the Opteron offers 8 cores and 8 threads. This core count disparity directly explains the Opteron's multicore advantage, though its per-core performance is also superior in these tests, which is unusual for a server chip against a desktop part.

Cache hierarchies diverge substantially. The i3 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 3 MB of shared L3. The Opteron's cache is organized differently: 384 KB of L1 total, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 8 MB of L3 per die. The Opteron's total cache capacity is larger, which helps explain its ability to sustain higher throughput in rendering workloads. The transistor count and die size differ as well: the Opteron packs 2,400 million transistors across two 315 mm² dies, while the i3's transistor count and die size are not recorded.

Memory support marks another major split. The i3 uses DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Opteron uses DDR3 on a quad-channel bus, achieving a higher memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. This gives the Opteron a 55.5% bandwidth advantage, which is critical for server-style workloads that saturate memory. The Opteron also supports ECC memory, while the i3 does not, reflecting their divergent market segments. The i3 is a desktop part with integrated Intel HD 630 graphics and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The Opteron has no integrated graphics and supports PCIe Gen 2, an older standard. The i3's socket is Intel Socket 1151, while the Opteron uses AMD Socket G34. Production status differs too: the i3 is active, while the Opteron is end-of-life.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion for different use cases, but not a simple overall winner. The AMD Opteron 6328 wins every shared benchmark by a near-uniform 29.6% margin, and it does so across both single-core and multi-core tests. This is not a scenario where one chip wins on multithreading and the other on single-thread speed; the Opteron dominates both. Its higher memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s, combined with ECC support and 8 cores, makes it the stronger choice for server or workstation workloads where the database records its benchmarks.

However, the Intel Core i3-7100T is not without merit. It consumes 35 watts of TDP versus the Opteron's 115 watts, a difference of 80 watts. It uses a newer 14 nm process versus 32 nm, and it supports DDR4 memory with a newer PCIe generation. For a desktop system where power efficiency, modern platform features, and integrated graphics matter, the i3 is the more sensible pick. The Opteron's launch MSRP was $575; the i3's launch MSRP is not recorded. The Opteron's benchmark wins do not translate into a user-friendly desktop experience, as it lacks any integrated graphics and uses a server socket. The i3's percentile rank of 34 versus the Opteron's 35 shows they are nearly equal in overall CPU hierarchy, but the Opteron's raw performance in these specific tests is consistently ahead.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The AMD Opteron 6328 wins all five recorded head-to-head tests, with the Intel Core i3-7100T trailing by a delta of -29.7% in Cinebench R15 multicore and -29.6% in every other shared test.

Q: Is the Intel Core i3-7100T faster in single-core tests?

A: No. In the Cinebench R20 single-core test, the Opteron scores 267 versus the i3's 188, and in R23 single-core, the Opteron scores 636 versus 448. The i3 has a higher base clock of 3.40 GHz versus 3.20 GHz, but this does not translate to a benchmark win.

Q: What memory bandwidth does each processor support?

A: The Intel Core i3-7100T supports dual-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The AMD Opteron 6328 supports quad-channel DDR3 with a bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the AMD Opteron 6328 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i3-7100T does not.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i3-7100T has a TDP of 35 watts, while the AMD Opteron 6328 has a TDP of 115 watts, a difference of 80 watts.

Q: What are the production statuses of these chips?

A: The Intel Core i3-7100T is listed as active in production. The AMD Opteron 6328 is listed as end-of-life.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 6328 wins in every recorded benchmark, making it the clear choice for raw compute throughput. Its wins in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests, scoring 454, 1894, and 4510 respectively, indicate strong performance in rendering and content creation workloads that scale with core count. The Opteron's single-core wins, 267 in R20 and 636 in R23, are less expected but confirm that its per-core performance is not a weakness. For server or workstation deployments where ECC memory is required and quad-channel DDR3 bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s is beneficial, the Opteron is the data-backed choice. Its 8 cores and 8 threads provide a substantial multi-threading advantage over the i3's 2 cores and 4 threads.

The Intel Core i3-7100T, despite losing all benchmarks, wins in platform efficiency and modern features. Its 35 watt TDP is less than one-third of the Opteron's 115 watts, making it suitable for low-power desktop builds. It supports DDR4 memory and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the Opteron is limited to DDR3 and PCIe Gen 2. The i3 includes Intel HD 630 integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems, whereas the Opteron has none. The i3 is also an active production part on Intel Socket 1151, while the Opteron is end-of-life on AMD Socket G34. For a desktop user prioritizing power efficiency, modern memory, and integrated graphics, the i3 is the logical pick, even though it scores lower in every measured test.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every recorded specification. The Intel Core i3-7100T has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD Opteron 6328 has 8 cores and 8 threads. The i3's base clock is 3.40 GHz with no boost clock recorded; the Opteron's base clock is 3.20 GHz with a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. TDP differs significantly: 35 watts for Intel versus 115 watts for AMD. The sockets are incompatible: Intel Socket 1151 versus AMD Socket G34. The architectures are Kaby Lake (14 nm) versus Piledriver (32 nm), with foundries Intel and GlobalFoundries respectively. The Opteron has 2,400 million transistors on two 315 mm² dies; the i3's figures are not recorded.

Cache structures differ: the i3 has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 3 MB shared L3. The Opteron has 384 KB total L1, 2 MB L2 per module, and 8 MB L3 per die. Memory support is DDR4 dual-channel for Intel versus DDR3 quad-channel for AMD, with bandwidths of 38.4 GB/s and 59.7 GB/s respectively. ECC memory is supported only on the Opteron. PCIe differs: Gen 3 with 16 lanes for Intel versus Gen 2 for AMD. Integrated graphics exist only on the i3 (Intel HD 630). Market segments are Desktop versus Server/Workstation. Production status is Active versus End-of-life. Release dates are 2017-01-02 for Intel and 2012-11-04 for AMD. The Opteron has a launch MSRP of $575; the i3 has none recorded. The Opteron's part number is OS6328WKT8GHK, while the i3's is SR35P. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.