AMD Opteron 2350 (B3)

The AMD Opteron 2350 (B3) is a server/workstation processor built for the AMD Socket Fr2 platform, featuring four physical cores and four threads at a fixed base clock of 2000 MHz with no boost capability. It was released in 2008, carries a launch MSRP of $316, and is now end-of-life. The chip integrates a 64 KB L1 cache per core, a 512 KB L2 cache per core, and a shared 2 MB L3 cache, with dual-channel DDR2 memory support dependent on the motherboard. Its 95 W TDP, 65 nm process node, and 463 million transistors on a 285 mm² die define its physical and electrical profile. Benchmark data places it at the 50th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 0.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Opteron 2350 (B3) presents a symmetric design: four cores and four threads, meaning each core handles exactly one thread. There is no simultaneous multithreading (SMT), so the thread count equals the core count. This configuration directly shapes the single-thread vs multi-thread split. Single-threaded performance is driven solely by the 2000 MHz base clock and the per-core cache hierarchy—64 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2. With no boost clock, every core runs at the same fixed frequency, so single-thread workloads see a consistent, moderate execution rate. The absence of a boost mechanism means there is no transient headroom for bursty single-thread tasks; the processor operates at a steady 2000 MHz regardless of load.

Multi-threaded behavior scales linearly with core count. Since there are four independent cores, workloads that can be parallelized across four threads benefit from full utilization of the physical resources. The shared 2 MB L3 cache provides a common pool for inter-core data exchange, reducing the need to access system memory. However, the dual-channel DDR2 interface with a peak bandwidth of 10.7 GB/s becomes a potential bottleneck for memory-intensive multi-threaded workloads, as all four cores contend for the same memory bus. The lack of SMT means that adding more software threads beyond four will not improve throughput; the processor is strictly limited to four concurrent threads. For real workloads, this means that applications with strong single-thread dependencies will not gain from extra cores, while well-parallelized tasks—such as database queries, virtualization hosts, or compile farms—can exploit all four cores simultaneously. The 50th percentile ranking suggests that, on average, its performance sits exactly at the median of all CPUs in the benchmark database, though the zero average score indicates no meaningful performance data was recorded.

Who Should Consider It

Given its server/workstation market segment and end-of-life status, the Opteron 2350 (B3) is not a candidate for modern high-performance computing. Its four cores and four threads, combined with a 2000 MHz fixed clock, place it in the entry-level server tier of its era. Workloads that are inherently single-threaded—such as legacy single-core applications, basic office productivity, or light web browsing—will see modest performance, but the lack of boost and the older DDR2 memory subsystem will limit responsiveness compared to even contemporary consumer chips. For multi-threaded workloads that fit within four threads, the processor can handle moderate server tasks: small-scale virtualization with up to four vCPUs, lightweight database instances, or file/print serving. The ECC memory support is a key advantage for reliability-sensitive environments, as it allows error-correcting memory modules, which is critical for long-running server processes. The 10.7 GB/s memory bandwidth, while low by modern standards, is sufficient for I/O-bound tasks that do not saturate memory.

The processor is not suited for gaming. Its four threads and 2000 MHz clock are far below the requirements of contemporary game engines, and the absence of integrated graphics means a discrete GPU is mandatory. The lack of SMT further reduces its ability to handle the multithreaded physics and AI routines common in modern titles. For content creation, the four cores can handle basic video encoding or 3D rendering if the software is optimized for exactly four threads, but the limited memory bandwidth and lack of boost will cause significant slowdowns compared to any processor with higher clock speeds or more cores. Office workloads—word processing, spreadsheets, email—are generally single-threaded and will run acceptably, but the platform's age and DDR2 memory will feel sluggish with modern software. The processor is best considered for legacy server environments where ECC reliability and a stable four-thread footprint are more important than raw speed.

Benchmark Performance

The FACT PACK provides no individual benchmark scores, only an aggregate average benchmark score of 0 and a percentile rank of 50. The zero score likely indicates that no standardized benchmarks were executed or recorded for this specific part, making direct numerical performance assessment impossible. The 50th percentile suggests that, if a score were assigned, it would fall exactly at the median of all CPUs in the database—neither outperforming nor underperforming the typical processor. However, because the average score is zero, the percentile may be a default placeholder rather than a meaningful measurement. Without specific multi-core or single-thread scores, we cannot quantify deltas against any rival. The data does not include any nearestRivals entries, so no comparative percentages can be derived. The only concrete performance indicators are the architectural parameters: a 2000 MHz clock, four cores, four threads, and a 2 MB shared L3 cache. These suggest that multi-threaded throughput is roughly proportional to four times the per-core performance, which is constrained by the fixed clock and the dual-channel DDR2 bandwidth. In the absence of measured benchmarks, the Opteron 2350 (B3) must be evaluated on its specifications alone, which place it firmly in the low-end server segment of the late 2000s.

How It Compares

The FACT PACK lists no nearest rivals for the AMD Opteron 2350 (B3). Consequently, a direct comparative analysis against competing processors cannot be performed. There are no names, scores, or deltaPct values to reference. This absence of comparative data means that any positioning relative to other CPUs—whether Intel Xeon or other AMD Opteron parts—is unsupported. The only contextual reference is the 50th percentile rank, which implies an average standing among all CPUs, but without rival specifics, it is impossible to state how far ahead or behind any particular competitor it is. The processor's own specifications—four cores, 2000 MHz, 10.7 GB/s memory bandwidth—are the sole basis for understanding its place in the market. In the absence of rival data, the analysis must rely on the absolute characteristics: a mid-range server part from its generation, now obsolete.

FAQ

Q: What is the core and thread count of the AMD Opteron 2350 (B3)?

A: The processor has 4 cores and 4 threads, with no simultaneous multithreading, so each core handles exactly one thread.

Q: Does the Opteron 2350 (B3) support ECC memory?

A: Yes, it supports ECC memory, which is typical for server/workstation platforms.

Q: What is the base clock speed?

A: The base clock is 2000 MHz (2.00 GHz). There is no boost clock, so it operates at this fixed frequency.

Q: When was it released and what is its production status?

A: It was released on 2008-04-08 (April 8, 2008) and is now end-of-life.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth and bus type?

A: It uses dual-channel DDR2 memory with a peak bandwidth of 10.7 GB/s. The exact memory support depends on the motherboard.

Q: What is the launch MSRP?

A: The launch MSRP was $316.

Q: What is the processor's cache configuration?

A: It has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and a shared 2 MB L3 cache.

Q: What is the socket type?

A: It uses the AMD Socket Fr2.