AMD Opteron 6344 vs Intel Core i5-7300HQ Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench R23, the AMD Opteron 6344 or the Intel Core i5-7300HQ?

A: The AMD Opteron 6344 leads multi-core Cinebench R23 with a score of 5158, which is 19.5% ahead of the Intel Core i5-7300HQ’s 4316.

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

A: The AMD Opteron 6344 wins every single-core benchmark in the database. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 728 versus 609 for the Intel Core i5-7300HQ, a 19.5% advantage.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Opteron 6344 has 12 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core i5-7300HQ has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Opteron 6344 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-7300HQ does not.

Q: What is the process node for each chip?

A: The AMD Opteron 6344 is built on a 32 nm process, while the Intel Core i5-7300HQ uses a 14 nm process.

Q: Which chip has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-7300HQ includes Intel HD Graphics 630. The AMD Opteron 6344 has no integrated graphics.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Opteron 6344 and Intel Core i5-7300HQ come from different worlds: one is a server/ workstation part, the other a mobile processor. The Opteron 6344 belongs to AMD’s Opteron 6000 series, built on the Piledriver architecture with the codename Abu Dhabi. It uses a 32 nm process produced by GlobalFoundries, packing 2,400 million transistors across a dual-die design with each die measuring 315 mm². The Intel Core i5-7300HQ belongs to the Kaby Lake-H generation, using Intel’s 14 nm process with a die size of 126 mm². The fundamental design philosophies diverge sharply: AMD offers 12 cores and 12 threads, while Intel supplies 4 cores and 4 threads.

Cache structures also differ. The AMD Opteron 6344 has a 576 KB L1 cache, 2 MB L2 per module, and 8 MB L3 per die. The Intel Core i5-7300HQ has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. Memory support separates them further: the AMD part uses DDR3 with a quad-channel memory bus delivering 59.7 GB/s, while the Intel chip supports both DDR3 and DDR4 over a dual-channel memory bus, with no bandwidth figure recorded in the database.

Connectivity and platform specifics matter. The AMD Opteron 6344 uses AMD Socket G34 and PCIe Gen 2. The Intel Core i5-7300HQ uses Intel BGA 1440 and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes available from the CPU. The Opteron supports ECC memory, a hallmark of server parts; the Core i5 does not. The Opteron has no integrated graphics, while the Core i5 includes Intel HD Graphics 630. Both chips are end-of-life, but their release dates are separated by roughly four years: the Opteron arrived in 2012, the Core i5 in 2017.

The core count difference is the most visible architectural split. The Opteron’s 12 physical cores, based on Piledriver, are designed for throughput in multi-threaded server workloads. The Core i5’s 4 cores, based on Kaby Lake, prioritize efficiency and higher clock speeds for mobile use. The Opteron has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and boost to 3.20 GHz; the Core i5 starts at 2.50 GHz and boosts to 3.50 GHz. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier. The Opteron’s TDP is 115 watts, while the Core i5 draws 45 watts.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner for raw compute performance: the AMD Opteron 6344. Across all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons in the database, the Opteron wins every single one. Its largest margins come in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it scores 519 versus 434 for the Core i5, a 19.6% lead, and in R15 single-core, where it posts 73 versus 61, a 19.7% advantage. The pattern holds across R20 and R23, with consistent deltas around 19.5% to 19.6% in favor of AMD. In the overall average benchmark score, the Opteron reaches 1492, while the Core i5 sits at 1448, a 3% difference in average performance.

However, context matters. The Opteron is a server/workstation processor with a 115 watt TDP, designed for sockets and platforms that can handle its power draw and cooling needs. The Core i5-7300HQ is a mobile chip with a 45 watt TDP, meant for laptops and compact systems. The Opteron’s 12 cores and quad-channel DDR3 memory make it suitable for multi-threaded server tasks, database workloads, and virtualization. The Core i5, with its integrated graphics and dual-channel memory support, fits into portable systems where power efficiency and a smaller footprint are priorities.

For users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput in a server context, the AMD Opteron 6344 is the choice. For users who need a mobile processor with integrated graphics and lower power consumption, the Intel Core i5-7300HQ is the practical option. The benchmark data does not favor the Intel chip in any compute test, but the platform differences are decisive. The Opteron’s 38th percentile ranking among all CPUs matches the Core i5’s 38th percentile, indicating they sit at a similar overall performance tier despite their different designs.

Specification Differences

• Cores: AMD Opteron 6344 has 12 cores; Intel Core i5-7300HQ has 4 cores.
• Threads: AMD Opteron 6344 has 12 threads; Intel Core i5-7300HQ has 4 threads.
• Base Clock: AMD Opteron 6344 runs at 2.60 GHz; Intel Core i5-7300HQ runs at 2.50 GHz.
• Boost Clock: AMD Opteron 6344 boosts to 3.20 GHz; Intel Core i5-7300HQ boosts to 3.50 GHz.
• TDP: AMD Opteron 6344 is rated at 115 watts; Intel Core i5-7300HQ is rated at 45 watts.
• Socket: AMD Opteron 6344 uses AMD Socket G34; Intel Core i5-7300HQ uses Intel BGA 1440.
• Architecture: AMD Opteron 6344 uses Piledriver; Intel Core i5-7300HQ uses Kaby Lake.
• Process Node: AMD Opteron 6344 is 32 nm; Intel Core i5-7300HQ is 14 nm.
• Foundry: AMD Opteron 6344 is made by GlobalFoundries; Intel Core i5-7300HQ is made by Intel.
• Die Size: AMD Opteron 6344 has 2x 315 mm²; Intel Core i5-7300HQ has 126 mm².
• L1 Cache: AMD Opteron 6344 has 576 KB; Intel Core i5-7300HQ has 64 KB per core.
• L2 Cache: AMD Opteron 6344 has 2 MB per module; Intel Core i5-7300HQ has 256 KB per core.
• L3 Cache: AMD Opteron 6344 has 8 MB per die; Intel Core i5-7300HQ has 6 MB shared.
• Memory Support: AMD Opteron 6344 supports DDR3; Intel Core i5-7300HQ supports DDR3 and DDR4.
• Memory Bus: AMD Opteron 6344 is quad-channel; Intel Core i5-7300HQ is dual-channel.
• Memory Bandwidth: AMD Opteron 6344 delivers 59.7 GB/s; Intel Core i5-7300HQ has no recorded figure.
• ECC Memory: AMD Opteron 6344 supports it; Intel Core i5-7300HQ does not.
• PCIe: AMD Opteron 6344 is Gen 2; Intel Core i5-7300HQ is Gen 3 with 16 lanes.
• Integrated Graphics: AMD Opteron 6344 has none; Intel Core i5-7300HQ has Intel HD Graphics 630.
• Market Segment: AMD Opteron 6344 is Server/Workstation; Intel Core i5-7300HQ is Mobile.
• Release Date: AMD Opteron 6344 launched in 2012; Intel Core i5-7300HQ launched in 2017.
• Launch MSRP: AMD Opteron 6344 was $415; Intel Core i5-7300HQ was $250.
• Part Number: AMD Opteron 6344 is OS6344WKTCGHK; Intel Core i5-7300HQ is SR32S.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is remarkably one-sided. Across six Cinebench tests, the AMD Opteron 6344 wins all six, with margins ranging from 19.5% to 19.7%. The closest gap appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Opteron scores 5158 and the Core i5 scores 4316, a 19.5% difference. The same delta appears in R23 single-core, 728 versus 609, also 19.5%. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows the Opteron at 519 and the Core i5 at 434, a 19.6% lead. The single-core R15 test shows 73 versus 61, a 19.7% lead, the largest advantage in the set. Cinebench R20 multi-core follows at 2166 versus 1812, a 19.5% gap, and R20 single-core at 305 versus 255, a 19.6% gap.

The consistency of these deltas is striking. Every test lands within a narrow band of 19.5% to 19.7%, suggesting a uniform performance advantage for the Opteron across both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads. This is notable because the Core i5 has a higher boost clock at 3.50 GHz versus 3.20 GHz, yet still loses in single-core tests. The Opteron’s older Piledriver architecture manages to outpace the newer Kaby Lake design in these Cinebench workloads, likely due to its higher core count and different cache hierarchy.

In the broader database context, the Opteron’s average benchmark score of 1492 places it near rivals like the Intel Core i5-4590S with an average score of 1493, a 0% delta, and the Intel Core i7-3770S at 1498, a -0.4% delta. The Core i5-7300HQ’s average score of 1448 sits near the AMD Opteron 6378 at 1447, a 0% delta, and the Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 at 1446, a 0.2% delta. These nearest-rival comparisons show both chips occupying similar performance bands, despite the Opteron’s clear head-to-head win.

For users focused solely on Cinebench throughput, the AMD Opteron 6344 is the superior part. The database records no benchmark where the Intel Core i5-7300HQ comes out ahead, and the average score difference of 44 points in favor of AMD reinforces the pattern. The Intel chip’s advantages lie outside compute performance: lower TDP, integrated graphics, and a more modern process node. Those factors do not show up in Cinebench scores, but they matter for mobile deployments. The verdict is straightforward: the Opteron wins on every measured compute metric, while the Core i5 wins on platform efficiency and portability.