AMD Opteron 6344 vs Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 Comparison

# Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear sweep: Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 wins all six recorded head-to-head comparisons against the AMD Opteron 6344. The margins are consistent, ranging from 2.7% to 3.3% across both multi-core and single-core tests. The largest win comes in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the Intel part scores 535 versus 519, a 3.1% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows the Intel at 75 versus 73, a 2.7% lead. In Cinebench R20, the multi-core result is 2232 versus 2166 (3.0% ahead), while the single-core result is 315 vs 305 (3.3% ahead). The R23 tests follow the same pattern: multi-core 5316 vs 5158 (3.1% ahead), single-core 750 vs 728 (3.0% ahead). Across all six benchmark runs, the Intel part never loses.

The average benchmark score tells the same story. The Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 records an average score of 1537 across the database, while the AMD Opteron 6344 sits at 1492. That is a 3.0% gap in favor of the Intel processor. The Intel part also places in the 38th percentile among all CPUs in the database, versus the AMD part at the 38th percentile. Both processors sit in the lower-middle range of the performance distribution, which is expected for power-oriented server parts.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design generations. The Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 uses the Ivy Bridge architecture with a 22nm process node. The AMD Opteron 6344 is built on the Piledriver architecture at 32nm. The Intel part is built on the "Ivy Bridge-EN" codename, while AMD uses "Abu Dhabi". These architectural differences explain much of the benchmark gap.

The core counts differ significantly. The Intel Xeon has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Opteron has 12 cores and 12 threads. This means the AMD part has no simultaneous multithreading, while the Intel doubles its thread count. Despite having half the physical cores, the Intel part manages to stay ahead in multi-core tests, which shows the efficiency of its per-core architecture.

Cache configurations also differ. The Intel Xeon has 64KB of L1 and 256KB of L2 per core, plus a shared 15MB L3 cache. The AMD Opteron has 576KB of L1, 2MB of L2 per module, and 8MB of L3 per die. The L3 cache arrangement is worth noting: Intel uses a shared pool across all cores, while AMD splits it per die. The total transistor count is also higher on the AMD side at 2,400 million, versus 1,860 million for Intel, but the Intel part has a smaller die size at 257 mm² versus 2x 315 mm² for the AMD.

Memory support differs. The Intel Xeon supports DDR3 memory in a triple-channel configuration with 32.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The AMD Opteron supports DDR3 in a quad-channel setup with 59.7 GB/s of memory bandwidth. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity also differs: the Intel part uses Gen 3 with 24 CPU lanes, while the AMD part uses Gen 2.

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head results are consistent, but the size of the win varies by workload and core count. In multi-core tests, the Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 wins by 3.0 to 3.1%. In Cinebench R15 multi, Intel scores 535 vs 519, a 3.1% win. In R20 multi, the gap is 2232 vs 2166, also 3.0%. The R23 multi test shows 5316 vs 5158, a 3.1% advantage. These are the largest margins in the dataset.

Single-core tests show a narrower but still Intel-favoring gap. The R15 single test is 75 vs 73, a 2.7% lead. R20 single is 315 vs 305, a 3.3% advantage. R23 single is 750 vs 728, which is 3.0% ahead. The pattern is clear: Intel wins everything, with the biggest edges in multi-threaded workloads.

The Intel Xeon part is the stronger choice for multi-threaded server workloads. The database shows it consistently ahead in every multi-core benchmark, with margins of around 3%. It also wins every single-core test, though by a smaller amount. Users who need all available cores working at peak efficiency should favor the Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2, with its 12 threads and lower 60W TDP.

The AMD Opteron 6344 has more physical cores (12 vs 6) and no multithreading, but this does not translate into benchmark wins. Its larger combined die size (2x 315 mm²) and higher transistor count (2,400 million) do not help in these workloads. The Xeon's per-core L2 and shared L3 cache design proves effective in the tested workloads. The 15MB shared cache appears to serve multi-core workloads well.

For environments where memory bandwidth is critical, the AMD Opteron 6344 has a clear spec advantage on paper: quad-channel DDR3 with 59.7 GB/s, nearly double the Intel's triple-channel 32.0 GB/s. The data shows the Intel part wins the tested workloads regardless, so the bandwidth advantage does not translate to benchmark wins in this comparison. The Intel part is the safer pick for database and rendering workloads, based on the recorded scores.

The Verdict

From the recorded data, the Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 is the outright winner in this comparison. It wins all six head-to-head tests, with margins from 2.7% to 3.3%. The AMD Opteron 6344 never wins a single test. The Intel part also has a lower average benchmark score, a higher percentile rank, and a lower TDP (60 vs 115). The data does not show any workload where the AMD Opteron 6344 comes out on top.

The Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 is the part to pick for users who want the better benchmark results in this comparison. It offers comparable multi-core performance with a large cache setup, a smaller process node, and lower power draw. It is also the only part with non-unlocked multiplier and a 2014 release date, versus the AMD's 2012 release. The AMD Opteron 6344 has more physical cores and more transistors, but the data shows that does not translate into better benchmark results.

The AMD Opteron 6344 is not without merit. It offers 12 physical cores, a larger L2 cache, and higher memory bandwidth on paper. But in the tested workloads, none of those specifications translate to a win. The Intel part is the safer recommendation based on the benchmark database.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher multi-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 is the winner, with a score of 5316 versus the AMD Opteron 6344's 5158. That is a 3.1% difference in favor of the Intel part.

Q: How big is the single-core performance gap between the two?**

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 wins the single-core tests as well. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 750 versus 728, which is a 3.0% lead. The R20 single-core test shows the same pattern: 315 vs 305, a 3.3% gap.

Q: Are these chips in the same market segment?

A: Yes, both are listed as Server/Workstation parts. The Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 is based on the Ivy Bridge architecture and uses Intel Socket 1356, while the AMD Opteron 6344 uses Piledriver and AMD Socket G34.

Q: Do both support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both parts support ECC. The Intel Xeon supports DDR3 memory, while the AMD Opteron also supports DDR3.

Q: What about memory channels?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 supports triple-channel memory with a rated bandwidth of 32.0 GB/s. The AMD Opteron 6344 supports quad-channel memory with a higher rated bandwidth of 59.8 GB/s.

Q: Which CPU uses more modern PCIe generation?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 uses PCIe Gen 3 with 24 CPU lanes. The AMD Opteron 6344 is limited to Gen 2.

Specification Differences

| Feature | Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 | AMD Opteron 6344 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 12 / 12 |

| Base Clock | 2.20 GHz | 2.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 2.70 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| TDP / Power | 60 W | 115 W |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 32 nm |

| Die Size | 257 mm² | 2x 315 mm² |

| Transistors | 1,860 million | 2,400 million |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1356 | AMD Socket G34 |

| Architecture | Ivy Bridge | Piledriver |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bus | Triple-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 32.0 GB/s | 59.7 GB/s |

| ECC Support | Yes | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 24 lanes | Gen 2 |

| Release Date | 2014-01-08 | 2012-11-04 |

| Launch MSRP | $494 | $415 |

| Part Number | SR1B9 | OS6344WKTCGHK |