AMD Opteron 6328 vs Intel Core i5-4570R Comparison

Intel Core i5-4570R and AMD Opteron 6328 are both end-of-life processors from 2013 and 2012, respectively, yet they occupy very different design philosophies. The data shows a clear and consistent performance gap across all tested workloads, with the AMD Opteron 6328 winning all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons. Despite this, both CPUs land at the 35th percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are nearly identical — 1318 for the Intel and 1304 for the AMD — suggesting that while the Opteron dominates in raw compute, the i5-4570R may offer other compensating attributes that make them comparable in overall system context.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results paint a picture of total dominance for the AMD Opteron 6328 in pure computational throughput. In every single Cinebench test — from the older R15 to the newer R23 — the Opteron wins by a margin of roughly 14% to 15.6%. This is not a close contest in any metric; the Opteron is consistently ahead in both single-core and multi-core workloads. For example, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Opteron scores 4510 versus the Intel's 3879, a delta of -14%. Similarly, in single-core R23, the Opteron achieves 636 while the Intel manages 547, also a -14% difference. This suggests that for any user prioritizing raw rendering or compute performance, the Opteron is the clear choice.

However, the Intel Core i5-4570R does not win any benchmark in this comparison, which means its "win" must be understood through other data points. The i5-4570R features integrated Intel Iris Pro 5200 graphics, while the Opteron has no integrated graphics at all. For a system builder looking to avoid a discrete GPU, this is a significant functional advantage. Additionally, the i5-4570R has a much lower TDP of 65 watts compared to the Opteron's 115 watts, indicating it could be more suitable for compact or power-conscious builds. The i5 also uses a 22 nm process node versus the Opteron's 32 nm, which may contribute to efficiency gains. In practical terms, the i5-4570R wins on platform integration and power efficiency, while the Opteron wins on all measured performance benchmarks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Opteron 6328 is faster, scoring 4510 compared to the Intel Core i5-4570R's 3879, a difference of -14% favoring the AMD.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-4570R have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Intel Iris Pro 5200, while the AMD Opteron 6328 has no integrated graphics, which could require a separate GPU.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each CPU?

A: The Intel Core i5-4570R has an average benchmark score of 1318, while the AMD Opteron 6328 scores 1304, making them nearly identical in overall average.

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core score in Cinebench R15?

A: The AMD Opteron 6328 wins with a score of 64, while the Intel Core i5-4570R scores 54, a delta of -15.6%.

Q: What is the memory channel configuration for each?

A: The Intel Core i5-4570R uses dual-channel DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the AMD Opteron 6328 uses quad-channel DDR3 with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Are these processors still in production?

A: No, both are marked as end-of-life. The Intel was released on 2013-06-01, and the AMD was released on 2012-11-04.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is unambiguous: the AMD Opteron 6328 wins every single benchmark, and the margins are remarkably consistent. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Opteron scores 454 against the Intel's 390, a -14.1% delta. The single-core R15 test shows the Opteron at 64 versus 54 for the Intel, a -15.6% delta, which is the largest gap in the entire comparison. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core result is 1894 for the Opteron and 1629 for the Intel (-14%), while single-core is 267 versus 229 (-14.2%). The newest test, Cinebench R23, shows the same pattern: multi-core at 4510 versus 3879 (-14%) and single-core at 636 versus 547 (-14%).

What is striking about these numbers is the uniformity of the performance gap. The Opteron is consistently about 14% faster across all Cinebench versions, regardless of whether the workload is single-threaded or multi-threaded. This suggests a fundamental per-clock efficiency advantage for the Opteron, not just a core-count advantage. The Opteron has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and boost of 3.80 GHz, while the Intel has a base of 2.70 GHz and boost of 3.20 GHz. This clock speed advantage — 0.5 GHz at base and 0.6 GHz at boost — likely explains the consistent single-core lead. For multi-core, the Opteron also has 8 cores versus 4, but the consistent percentage suggests that clock speed is the dominant factor in these specific tests.

Specification Differences

The specification sheet reveals two very different design targets. The Intel Core i5-4570R is a 4-core, 4-thread processor with a base clock of 2.70 GHz and boost of 3.20 GHz, running on a 65-watt TDP. It uses the Intel BGA 1364 socket and is built on a 22 nm process with 1,700 million transistors on a 260 mm² die. Its cache hierarchy includes 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. Memory support is dual-channel DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, and it does not support ECC memory. PCIe is Gen 3 with 16 lanes.

The AMD Opteron 6328 is a server-focused chip with 8 cores and 8 threads, base clock of 3.20 GHz and boost of 3.80 GHz, with a much higher 115-watt TDP. It uses the AMD Socket G34 and is built on a 32 nm process with 2,400 million transistors across two 315 mm² dies. Its cache is different: 384 KB L1, 2 MB L2 per module, and 8 MB L3 per die. Memory support is quad-channel DDR3 with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth, and it does support ECC memory. PCIe is only Gen 2. The Opteron has no integrated graphics, while the Intel has Iris Pro 5200.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is substantial. The Intel i5-4570R is based on the Haswell architecture, codenamed Crystal Well, which is a fourth-generation Core design. It uses a 22 nm process from Intel's own foundry, with a monolithic die design. The AMD Opteron 6328, meanwhile, is based on Piledriver, codenamed Abu Dhabi, which is a second-generation Bulldozer derivative. It uses a 32 nm process from GlobalFoundries and employs a dual-die design, with two 315 mm² dies on the package. The transistor count is higher for AMD at 2,400 million versus Intel's 1,700 million, but the AMD chip has two more cores and a more complex multi-die layout.

The cache architectures are also fundamentally different. Intel uses a per-core allocation with shared L3, while AMD uses a per-module L2 and per-die L3. This reflects the different design philosophies: Intel's Haswell is a traditional 4-core design with a unified memory hierarchy, while AMD's Piledriver is a module-based design where pairs of cores share resources. The Opteron's quad-channel memory controller and ECC support indicate its server pedigree, while the Intel's dual-channel and lack of ECC point to consumer desktop usage. The integrated GPU on the Intel is a major architectural difference, as the Opteron has none.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the data, the AMD Opteron 6328 is the superior performer in every benchmark recorded. It wins all six Cinebench tests with a consistent ~14% margin, and it offers higher clock speeds, more cores, more cache, and higher memory bandwidth. For anyone running multi-threaded workloads like video rendering, scientific computing, or server tasks, the Opteron is the clear choice. Its ECC memory support and quad-channel memory controller further cement its position as a server/workstation part.

However, the Intel Core i5-4570R is not without merit. Its integrated Iris Pro 5200 graphics mean it can function as a complete system on its own, without a discrete GPU. Its 65-watt TDP is significantly lower than the Opteron's 115 watts, making it more suitable for power-constrained or compact builds. The Intel also uses a newer 22 nm process, which may offer better efficiency per watt, although the data does not include power consumption benchmarks. The fact that both CPUs have a 35th percentile ranking and nearly identical average benchmark scores (1318 vs 1304) suggests that in a broader context, accounting for factors beyond Cinebench, they are comparable overall performers. For a desktop user who values integrated graphics and lower power, the i5-4570R is the sensible pick. For a server workload demanding raw compute and memory throughput, the Opteron 6328 — with its launch MSRP of $575 — is the data-backed winner.