AMD Opteron 6344 vs Intel Core i5-5575R Comparison

The AMD Opteron 6344 and Intel Core i5-5575R represent two very different interpretations of processing power: one is a 12-core server behemoth built for throughput, the other a compact 4-core desktop chip with integrated graphics. The benchmark data reveals a surprisingly consistent story, with the older AMD part winning every single head-to-head test, despite both CPUs landing in the 38th percentile of all processors. This page breaks down the numbers to see how a 2012 server chip outpaces a 2015 desktop part, and what that means for real-world usage.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores, and does that translate into a multi-core benchmark win?

A: The AMD Opteron 6344 has 12 cores and 12 threads, compared to the Intel Core i5-5575R's 4 cores and 4 threads. This advantage shows clearly in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, where the Opteron scores 5158 against the i5's 4324, a 19.3% lead.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-core performance?

A: The AMD Opteron 6344 wins every single-core test in the head-to-head data. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 728 versus the Intel's 610, a 19.3% difference. The largest single-core margin is in Cinebench R15, where the Opteron leads by 19.7% (73 vs 61).

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each CPU, and how do they rank?

A: The AMD Opteron 6344 has an average benchmark score of 1492, while the Intel Core i5-5575R scores 1478. Both are in the 38th percentile of all CPUs, and the Opteron's nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-4590S, scores 1493 with a 0% deltaPct.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-5575R's integrated graphics a factor in these benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i5-5575R includes Iris Pro Graphics 6200, while the AMD Opteron 6344 has no integrated graphics. However, the benchmark data provided focuses on CPU compute tests (Cinebench and Geekbench), so the integrated graphics do not influence the scores listed here.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock, and does it correlate with performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-5575R has a boost clock of 3.30 GHz, slightly higher than the AMD Opteron 6344's 3.20 GHz. Despite the higher boost clock, the Opteron still wins all single-core benchmarks, indicating that factors like architecture and cache play a larger role.

Q: How does memory bandwidth differ between the two, and is it reflected in scores?

A: The AMD Opteron 6344 supports quad-channel DDR3 memory with a bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s, while the Intel Core i5-5575R uses dual-channel DDR3 with 29.9 GB/s. The Opteron's higher memory bandwidth likely contributes to its superior multi-core performance, though the benchmark data does not isolate memory-dependent tests.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Opteron 6344 wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with margins ranging from 19.1% to 19.7%. For anyone prioritizing raw multi-threaded compute, the Opteron is the clear choice, especially given its 12 cores versus the i5's 4. The Intel Core i5-5575R, however, is not without merit—it consumes significantly less power (65W TDP vs 115W), uses a much newer 14nm process node, and includes Iris Pro Graphics 6200. Based strictly on the benchmark results, the Opteron is the performance winner, but the i5-5575R is the more efficient and feature-rich package for a desktop environment. The Opteron's server pedigree is evident in its quad-channel memory and ECC support, making it suited for workloads that demand stability and throughput, while the i5's integrated graphics and lower power draw suggest it was designed for mainstream desktop tasks. Ultimately, the choice hinges on whether the user needs raw compute power or a balanced, low-power desktop solution.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Opteron 6344’s dominance is consistent across every test, with no single benchmark where the Intel Core i5-5575R pulls ahead. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Opteron scores 519 against the i5's 435, a 19.3% lead. The single-core R15 test shows an even larger margin: 73 vs 61, a 19.7% difference. Moving to Cinebench R20, the Opteron again leads by 19.3% in multi-core (2166 vs 1816) and 19.1% in single-core (305 vs 256). The pattern holds in Cinebench R23, where the Opteron scores 5158 vs 4324 in multi-core and 728 vs 610 in single-core, both 19.3% margins. Notably, the Intel Core i5-5575R has additional Geekbench scores not present for the Opteron—3247 multi-core and 1072 single-core—but these cannot be compared directly. The consistency of the 19% delta across all Cinebench versions suggests a fundamental performance gap, likely rooted in the Opteron's 12 cores and larger cache. The i5's higher boost clock (3.30 GHz vs 3.20 GHz) does not compensate for the core count disadvantage. The data shows a clean sweep, with the Opteron winning 6 out of 6 head-to-head tests.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The AMD Opteron 6344 has 12 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i5-5575R has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Opteron's base clock is 2.60 GHz with a boost of 3.20 GHz; the i5's base clock is 2.80 GHz with a boost of 3.30 GHz. Thermal design power (TDP) is a major differentiator: the Opteron draws 115W, while the i5 draws just 65W. The Opteron uses AMD Socket G34, whereas the i5 uses Intel BGA 1364. Cache configurations differ significantly: the Opteron has 576 KB of L1 cache, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 8 MB of L3 per die; the i5 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. Memory support is similar (DDR3), but the Opteron uses a quad-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the i5 uses dual-channel with 29.9 GB/s. ECC memory is supported on the Opteron but not on the i5. The Opteron has PCIe Gen 2, while the i5 has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The i5 includes integrated Iris Pro Graphics 6200; the Opteron has none. The Opteron's launch MSRP is $415, while the i5's is $265. The Opteron is an end-of-life server part, while the i5 is an active desktop part.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap is wide. The AMD Opteron 6344 is built on the Piledriver architecture, codenamed Abu Dhabi, using a 32nm process from GlobalFoundries. It has 2,400 million transistors on a dual-die design with each die measuring 315 mm². The Intel Core i5-5575R uses the Broadwell architecture, also codenamed Broadwell, on Intel's 14nm process. Its die size is 182 mm², and the transistor count is not listed. The Opteron's Piledriver design is modular, with 2 MB of L2 per module and 8 MB of L3 per die, reflecting its server-oriented multi-die layout. The i5's Broadwell design is monolithic, with 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Opteron's cache hierarchy is built for many cores sharing resources, while the i5's is optimized for lower latency on fewer cores. The Opteron's 32nm node is two generations behind the i5's 14nm, which explains the TDP difference despite the Opteron's higher core count. The i5's integrated Iris Pro Graphics 6200 is a key architectural feature absent from the Opteron, which has no integrated graphics. The Opteron's memory controller supports quad-channel DDR3 with ECC, while the i5's is dual-channel without ECC. These architectural differences explain why the Opteron, despite being older, wins on compute-heavy benchmarks: its 12 cores and higher memory bandwidth outweigh the i5's newer process node and higher clock speeds.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 6344 wins in every benchmark category tested. It is the clear victor in multi-threaded workloads, as evidenced by its 19.3% lead in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. Its 12 cores and 59.7 GB/s memory bandwidth make it suitable for server-style tasks like virtualization, database processing, and content rendering where parallel throughput is king. The Opteron also wins in single-core tests, with margins of 19.1% to 19.7%, which is surprising given the i5's higher boost clock. This suggests the Opteron's larger L3 cache per die (8 MB vs 4 MB) and quad-channel memory provide a per-core advantage in these specific Cinebench workloads. The Intel Core i5-5575R, while losing all head-to-head tests, has its own strengths outside the benchmark suite. Its 65W TDP versus 115W means it is far more power-efficient, making it suited for compact desktop builds or always-on systems. The integrated Iris Pro Graphics 6200 provides a GPU solution without a discrete card, which the Opteron cannot offer. The i5's PCIe Gen 3 support (vs Gen 2) also makes it more compatible with modern expansion cards. The i5 is the better choice for a low-power desktop that needs integrated graphics, while the Opteron is the workhorse for multi-core compute in a server or workstation context. The data shows no scenario where the i5 outperforms the Opteron in CPU benchmarks, but its efficiency and feature set make it a viable alternative for desktop users who do not need the Opteron's raw compute power.