AMD Opteron 6348 vs AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents an unusually narrow contest. Across all six Cinebench tests, the AMD Opteron 6348 wins every single one, yet the margins are remarkably thin. In multi-core tests, the Opteron 6348 leads by exactly 1% in Cinebench R15 (672 vs 665), R20 (2802 vs 2774), and R23 (6672 vs 6606). The single-core results tell the same story: the Opteron 6348 edges ahead by 1.1% in R15 (94 vs 93) and R23 (942 vs 932), and by 1% in R20 (395 vs 391).

What makes this fascinating is the architectural gap between these two. The Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE is a 4-core, 8-thread Zen part built on a 14nm process, while the Opteron 6348 is a 12-core, 12-thread Piledriver monster on 32nm. A twelve-core server processor should theoretically crush a quad-core desktop chip in multi-threaded workloads. The fact that it only manages a 1% lead suggests the Ryzen's newer architecture is doing heavy lifting to compensate for its core deficit.

The single-core results are even more telling. With a 3.80 GHz boost clock versus the Opteron's 3.40 GHz, the Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE would be expected to win these tests outright. Instead, the Opteron 6348 wins by roughly one point in each test. This points to the Opteron's Piledriver architecture having surprisingly competitive per-clock performance in Cinebench's single-threaded workload, or the Ryzen's boost behavior not sustaining its maximum frequency under this particular benchmark.

Looking at the average benchmark scores, the Opteron 6348 sits at 1930, which places it alongside the Intel Core i7-1180G7 (1930, 0% delta). The Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE averages 1910, matching the Intel Xeon E3-1575M v5 exactly (1910, 0% delta). Both processors land at the 43rd percentile among all CPUs, meaning neither is a standout performer in the broader market, but they are clearly peers in raw output.

Architecture Differences

The most striking contrast is node technology. The Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE uses a 14nm process fabricated by GlobalFoundries, packing 4,950 million transistors onto a 210 mm² die. The Opteron 6348 uses 32nm process, with 2,400 million transistors spread across two 315 mm² dies. This means the Ryzen achieves more than double the transistor density, which helps explain how a 35W part can trade blows with a 115W server chip.

Core configuration differs fundamentally. The Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE has 4 cores and 8 threads, using simultaneous multithreading to process two threads per core. The Opteron 6348 has 12 physical cores but no SMT, giving it 12 threads total. The Opteron's cache hierarchy is also structured differently: 576 KB L1, 2 MB L2 per module, and 8 MB L3 per die. The Ryzen offers 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3.

Memory support creates a notable divide. The Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE supports DDR4 in dual-channel configuration with 46.9 GB/s bandwidth. The Opteron 6348 uses DDR3 in quad-channel, achieving 59.7 GB/s. Despite the older memory type, the Opteron's wider memory bus provides roughly 27% more theoretical bandwidth. Both support ECC memory, though the Ryzen's integrated memory controller on AM4 is a more modern design.

The Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE includes Radeon RX Vega 11 integrated graphics, while the Opteron 6348 has no integrated GPU. The Ryzen also uses PCIe Gen 3 with 8 CPU lanes, whereas the Opteron relies on PCIe Gen 2. The Opteron's socket is G34, designed for dual-socket server boards, while the Ryzen uses AM4 for single-socket desktop systems. The Ryzen is still in active production; the Opteron is end-of-life.

The Verdict

The data paints a picture of two processors that are functionally equivalent in Cinebench performance despite being separated by six years and fundamentally different design philosophies. The Opteron 6348 wins all six head-to-head tests, but by margins of 1% or less. This is a statistical tie in practical terms.

For users prioritizing raw multi-threaded throughput, the Opteron 6348 technically holds the crown. It wins every benchmark, and its 12 physical cores suggest it might handle heavily parallel workloads more gracefully than the Ryzen's 4 cores with SMT. However, the Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE's 35W TDP versus the Opteron's 115W TDP means the Ryzen achieves nearly identical performance with roughly one-third the power envelope.

The Ryzen offers modern platform features: DDR4 memory, PCIe Gen 3, integrated graphics, and an active production status. The Opteron, while faster on paper, is end-of-life, uses DDR3, and requires a server platform. The Ryzen's launch MSRP was $575 for the Opteron, but the data does not include a price for the Ryzen, so direct cost comparison is impossible.

Given the 1% performance delta, the Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE is the more compelling choice for most scenarios. It delivers comparable Cinebench scores with a fraction of the power draw, a modern socket, and integrated graphics. The Opteron 6348 only makes sense for users with existing G34 server infrastructure who need to maximize thread count without upgrading platforms.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every measurable specification. The Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Opteron 6348 has 12 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 3.20 GHz for the Ryzen versus 2.80 GHz for the Opteron, with boost clocks of 3.80 GHz and 3.40 GHz respectively.

Thermal design power is a major differentiator: 35W for the Ryzen versus 115W for the Opteron. The Ryzen uses AMD Socket AM4, while the Opteron uses AMD Socket G34. Process nodes are 14nm for the Ryzen and 32nm for the Opteron. Transistor counts are 4,950 million versus 2,400 million, and die sizes are 210 mm² versus 2x 315 mm².

Cache configurations differ: the Ryzen has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. The Opteron has 576 KB total L1, 2 MB L2 per module, and 8 MB L3 per die. Memory support is DDR4 dual-channel with 46.9 GB/s for the Ryzen, versus DDR3 quad-channel with 59.7 GB/s for the Opteron. PCIe is Gen 3 with 8 lanes for the Ryzen, Gen 2 for the Opteron. The Ryzen includes Radeon RX Vega 11 graphics; the Opteron has none. The Ryzen was released in 2018 and is active; the Opteron was released in 2012 and is end-of-life. The Opteron's launch MSRP was $575.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks?

A: The AMD Opteron 6348 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, with margins ranging from 1% to 1.1% over the Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE.

Q: Is the Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE more power-efficient?

A: Yes. The Ryzen has a 35W TDP compared to the Opteron's 115W TDP, yet it scores within 1% of the Opteron in every benchmark test.

Q: Does the Opteron have more cores?

A: Yes, the Opteron 6348 has 12 cores and 12 threads, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor supports newer memory?

A: The Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE supports DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration, while the Opteron 6348 supports DDR3 in quad-channel.

Q: Does the Ryzen have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE includes Radeon RX Vega 11 integrated graphics. The Opteron 6348 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each?

A: The Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE averages 1910, while the Opteron 6348 averages 1930. Both sit at the 43rd percentile among all CPUs.

Where Each One Wins

The Opteron 6348 wins in raw benchmark output. It leads every Cinebench test, though by margins that are practically negligible. Its 12 physical cores provide a thread-count advantage that could prove beneficial in workloads that scale linearly with core count and do not benefit from SMT. The quad-channel DDR3 memory configuration delivers 59.7 GB/s bandwidth, which is higher than the Ryzen's 46.9 GB/s, potentially helping memory-bound server applications.

The Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE wins on efficiency and platform modernity. Its 35W TDP versus 115W represents a massive power savings, making it suitable for compact desktop builds and always-on systems. The Zen architecture on 14nm achieves 4,950 million transistors versus the Opteron's 2,400 million, indicating a more efficient design. DDR4 memory support, PCIe Gen 3, and integrated Radeon RX Vega 11 graphics make it a complete desktop solution. Its active production status ensures ongoing availability, whereas the Opteron is end-of-life.

For multi-threaded server workloads on existing G34 platforms, the Opteron 6348 technically wins. For new builds, the Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE offers nearly identical Cinebench performance with dramatically lower power consumption, modern features, and a supported socket. The 1% performance difference is unlikely to be perceptible in real-world use, making the Ryzen the more logical choice for most applications.