AMD Opteron 6328 vs Intel Core i5-4430S Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data presents a clear performance hierarchy between these two processors. The AMD Opteron 6328 wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core i5-4430S, with consistent margins ranging from 21.6% to 23.1% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 workloads, both single-core and multi-core. The Opteron's average benchmark score of 1304 places it marginally ahead of the i5-4430S's 1274, a difference of roughly 2.4%. However, both processors occupy the same 35th percentile among all CPUs tracked in the database, indicating they sit at similar overall performance tiers relative to the broader market.

The choice between them depends less on raw compute capability and more on platform context. The Opteron 6328 targets server and workstation deployments with its eight cores, eight threads, quad-channel DDR3 memory support, ECC memory, and AMD Socket G34 platform. The Core i5-4430S targets desktop systems with four cores, four threads, dual-channel memory, no ECC support, and integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics. Users requiring ECC memory validation, higher memory bandwidth, or more physical cores for threaded server workloads should select the Opteron 6328. Users building a desktop system where integrated graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU should select the Core i5-4430S, accepting lower compute scores in exchange for platform simplicity.

Where Each One Wins

Benchmark results show the AMD Opteron 6328 winning every recorded comparison. The largest margin appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Opteron leads by 23.1% (64 versus 52). The smallest recorded margin is 21.6%, appearing in Cinebench R20 multi-core, Cinebench R23 multi-core, and Cinebench R23 single-core. The Opteron wins by 21.7% in R15 multi-core (454 versus 373) and by 21.9% in R20 single-core (267 versus 219). The consistency of these margins across single-threaded and multi-threaded tests suggests the Opteron's advantage comes from higher clock speeds: its base clock of 3.20 GHz and boost clock of 3.80 GHz exceed the i5-4430S's 2.70 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost. The Opteron also doubles the core count (8 versus 4) and thread count (8 versus 4), though the per-module cache architecture and older Piledriver design might otherwise reduce its efficiency advantage.

The Intel Core i5-4430S holds no benchmark wins in the recorded data. Its strengths appear outside raw compute scores: integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics, a 65 W TDP compared to the Opteron's 115 W, PCIe Gen 3 support, and a smaller 177 mm² die with 1,400 million transistors on a 22 nm process. These characteristics do not appear in benchmark scores but matter for system design, particularly in desktop builds where the i5-4430S requires no separate graphics card and generates less heat.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Opteron 6328 uses the Piledriver architecture under the Abu Dhabi codename, part of the Opteron 6000 series. It is built on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries with 2,400 million transistors spread across a dual-die configuration totaling 630 mm² (2x 315 mm²). The Opteron uses AMD Socket G34 and supports quad-channel DDR3 memory with a recorded bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. ECC memory support is present, which suits its server and workstation market segment. The cache layout is module-based: 384 KB of L1, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 8 MB of L3 per die. PCIe is Gen 2, and there is no integrated graphics. The part was released in November 2012 with a launch MSRP of $575, and its production status is end-of-life.

The Intel Core i5-4430S uses the Haswell architecture, built on a 22 nm process at Intel with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. It uses Intel Socket 1150 and supports dual-channel DDR3 memory, though no memory bandwidth figure is recorded. ECC memory is not supported. The cache is per-core: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. PCIe is Gen 3, and the chip includes integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics. The market segment is desktop, and the release date was June 2013. No launch MSRP is recorded. Both processors have locked multipliers, so neither supports unlocked overclocking.

The node advantage belongs to Intel: 22 nm versus 32 nm, which contributes to the i5-4430S's lower 65 W TDP. The Opteron's 115 W TDP reflects the larger dual-die design and higher clock speeds. The transistor counts differ substantially: the Opteron integrates 2,400 million transistors versus 1,400 million for the Core i5, though the Opteron's die area is more than three times larger.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core workloads?

A: The AMD Opteron 6328 wins all single-core tests. It scores 64 versus 52 in Cinebench R15 single-core (23.1% ahead), 267 versus 219 in R20 single-core (21.9% ahead), and 636 versus 523 in R23 single-core (21.6% ahead).

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-4430S have integrated graphics?

A: Yes. The Core i5-4430S includes Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics. The AMD Opteron 6328 has no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is required for display output.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Opteron 6328 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-4430S does not support ECC memory.

Q: How do their memory channels compare?

A: The AMD Opteron 6328 supports quad-channel DDR3 memory with a recorded bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The Intel Core i5-4430S supports dual-channel DDR3 memory, and no bandwidth figure is recorded.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The AMD Opteron 6328 has 8 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core i5-4430S has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP?

A: The Intel Core i5-4430S has a 65 W TDP. The AMD Opteron 6328 has a 115 W TDP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a sweep for the AMD Opteron 6328 across all six recorded comparisons. The most decisive win is Cinebench R15 single-core: the Opteron scores 64 against the Core i5-4430S's 52, a 23.1% margin. This is notable because single-core performance typically favors Intel's Haswell architecture in this era, yet the Opteron's higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz versus 3.20 GHz appears to overcome any architectural efficiency gap.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Opteron scores 454 versus 373, a 21.7% advantage. The Opteron's 8-core, 8-thread configuration provides a clear structural edge over the i5-4430S's 4-core, 4-thread design, though the margin is smaller than the raw core count difference might suggest, reflecting the Piledriver architecture's lower per-core efficiency.

Cinebench R20 results follow the same pattern. Multi-core shows 1894 for the Opteron versus 1558 for the Core i5, a 21.6% lead. Single-core shows 267 versus 219, a 21.9% lead. The R20 suite places heavier demands on the processor, yet the percentage gaps remain almost unchanged from R15, indicating the performance relationship is stable across workload generations.

Cinebench R23 multi-core records 4510 for the Opteron versus 3710 for the Core i5, again a 21.6% margin. Single-core records 636 versus 523, also 21.6%. The R23 results confirm the consistency: across three different Cinebench versions, the Opteron's lead stays within a 0.5 percentage point band in multi-core tests (21.6% to 21.7%) and within a 1.5 percentage point band in single-core tests (21.6% to 23.1%).

The Core i5-4430S does have one additional benchmark record not present for the Opteron: Geekbench results of 2773 multi-core and 980 single-core. However, since the Opteron has no Geekbench record in the database, no direct comparison can be made on that test. The Opteron's six wins and zero losses stand as the complete head-to-head record.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every recorded specification field. The AMD Opteron 6328 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-4430S has 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 3.20 GHz for the Opteron and 2.70 GHz for the i5-4430S. Boost clocks are 3.80 GHz and 3.20 GHz respectively. TDP is 115 W for the Opteron and 65 W for the Core i5.

Sockets differ completely: AMD Socket G34 versus Intel Socket 1150. Architecture differs: Piledriver versus Haswell. Codenames are Abu Dhabi and Haswell. Process nodes are 32 nm (GlobalFoundries) versus 22 nm (Intel). Transistor counts are 2,400 million versus 1,400 million. Die sizes are 2x 315 mm² versus 177 mm².

Cache layouts are structurally different. The Opteron has 384 KB L1, 2 MB L2 per module, and 8 MB L3 per die. The Core i5 has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR3 for both, but the Opteron uses quad-channel with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support; the Core i5 uses dual-channel with no recorded bandwidth and no ECC. PCIe generations differ: Gen 2 for the Opteron, Gen 3 for the Core i5. Integrated graphics exist only on the Core i5 (Intel HD 4600); the Opteron has none.

Market segments differ: Server/Workstation for the Opteron, Desktop for the Core i5. Release dates are November 2012 for the Opteron and June 2013 for the Core i5. The Opteron has a recorded launch MSRP of $575; no launch MSRP is recorded for the Core i5. Production status is end-of-life for the Opteron, with no status recorded for the Core i5. Part numbers are OS6328WKT8GHK for the Opteron and SR14M for the Core i5. Both have locked multipliers.