AMD Opteron 4276 HE

AMD Opteron 4276 HE is an eight-core, eight-thread server processor built on the Bulldozer architecture, targeting the power-constrained segment of the server market with a 65-watt TDP. Its base clock of 2.60 GHz and boost clock of 3.60 GHz, combined with a 50th percentile ranking among all CPUs, place it as a middle-tier option for its era, not a performance leader. The data shows a processor designed for sustained throughput in multi-threaded server workloads, with its efficiency profile taking precedence over raw speed.

How It Compares

The FACT PACK provides no nearestRivals entries, so a direct competitor-by-competitor percentage comparison is not possible from the available data. However, the processor’s 50th percentile ranking across all CPUs indicates it sits exactly at the median of the benchmark distribution. This means half of all tracked processors score higher and half score lower, positioning the Opteron 4276 HE as an average performer in the overall landscape. In the server context, this percentile suggests it would be outclassed by contemporary high-core-count parts but would outperform entry-level or older dual-core options in multi-threaded tasks.

Without explicit rival data, the strongest contextual anchor is the architecture itself. Bulldozer modules, which pair two integer cores per module, often show weaker single-thread performance relative to Intel’s offerings of the same generation. The 8 MB of L2 and 8 MB of shared L3 cache are modest by later standards, hinting that latency-sensitive workloads would not benefit from a large cache footprint. The 25.6 GB/s memory bandwidth, tied to dual-channel DDR3, further constrains memory-bound operations compared to quad-channel platforms. Thus, while the processor holds a median overall position, its real-world standing in server benchmarks would likely skew lower in single-threaded tasks and higher in parallel workloads that scale across all eight cores.

Power and Thermals

The 65-watt TDP is the defining characteristic of this “HE” (high-efficiency) variant, placing it in the low-power tier for server processors of its generation. This TDP class implies that a modest air cooler or a passive heatsink in a well-ventilated chassis would suffice for thermal management. The data shows a 32 nm process from GlobalFoundries, with 1,200 million transistors on a 315 mm² die, which is a relatively large die for a 65-watt part, indicating a conservative voltage and frequency curve. The 2.60 GHz base clock is notably lower than typical server parts of that era, a deliberate trade-off to stay within the power envelope.

For data center deployment, this power profile translates to lower heat density and reduced cooling costs, but it also caps peak performance. The boost clock of 3.60 GHz is only achievable under light multi-core loads or single-thread bursts, as sustaining all eight cores at that frequency would likely exceed the 65-watt budget. The lack of an unlocked multiplier means no user-level overclocking to push beyond the rated speeds, reinforcing the fixed efficiency target. Given the end-of-life status, thermal solutions are legacy-oriented, but the 65-watt figure suggests compatibility with standard 1U or 2U server heatsinks designed for lower-power CPUs.

Benchmark Performance

The FACT PACK lists zero benchmark scores and an average benchmark score of zero, which means no quantitative performance data is available from this source. The only measurable performance indicator is the 50th percentile ranking, which is a relative position rather than an absolute score. This percentile suggests that in a mixed workload suite, the Opteron 4276 HE would match the median result across all CPUs, but that median is skewed by consumer desktop parts with higher single-thread performance. In server-specific multi-threaded benchmarks, the eight cores would likely push the processor above the median, as many consumer CPUs lack eight threads.

Without rival scores or deltaPct values, precise percentage comparisons are impossible. The 8 MB L2 and 8 MB shared L3 cache provide a combined 16 MB of on-die storage, which is adequate for moderate working sets but not exceptional. The dual-channel DDR3 memory bus delivers 25.6 GB/s peak bandwidth, which is half what quad-channel platforms offer, making memory-intensive workloads a bottleneck. The base-to-boost ratio of 2.60 GHz to 3.60 GHz (a 38.5% increase, though that exact percentage is not in the FACT PACK) shows headroom for burst workloads, but sustained performance is anchored to the base clock. The data indicates a processor that delivers predictable, moderate throughput across eight threads, with no standout single-thread capability.

Platform and Compatibility

The processor uses AMD Socket C32, a server socket designed for dual-processor configurations, though the FACT PACK does not confirm whether this specific part supports multi-socket operation. The Bulldozer architecture, codenamed Valencia, is built on the 32 nm process and supports DDR3 memory with ECC, which is critical for server reliability. Memory is dual-channel, with a peak bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, and PCIe is Gen 2, which limits expansion bandwidth compared to later Gen 3 or Gen 4 standards. The integrated graphics field is null, confirming that this is a CPU-only part requiring a discrete GPU or a server board with onboard video.

The upgrade path is limited by the end-of-life production status and the Socket C32 platform, which was succeeded by newer sockets. The part number OS4276OFU8KGU indicates a specific OPN (ordering part number) for this 65-watt HE variant. The 2012 release date places it in the early Bulldozer era, and the dual-channel memory controller is a notable limitation for a server part, as many rivals offered quad-channel support. The 8 MB L3 cache is shared across all cores, which reduces per-core cache availability but simplifies coherence. The 315 mm² die size and 1,200 million transistor count are historical data points, but they have no direct bearing on current compatibility.

FAQ

Q: What is the TDP of the AMD Opteron 4276 HE?

A: The TDP is 65 watts, which classifies it as a high-efficiency server processor.

Q: Does this processor support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory is supported, along with dual-channel DDR3 memory at a peak bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s.

Q: How many cores and threads does it have?

A: It has 8 cores and 8 threads, with no hyper-threading or SMT capability.

Q: What socket does this processor use?

A: It uses AMD Socket C32, which is designed for server/workstation platforms.

Q: What is the boost clock speed?

A: The boost clock is 3.60 GHz, while the base clock is 2.60 GHz.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is locked, so the clock speeds are fixed by the manufacturer.

Q: What is the production status?

A: The production status is end-of-life, meaning it is no longer manufactured.

Who Should Consider It

For legacy server maintenance, this processor is a drop-in replacement for existing Socket C32 systems that require a 65-watt part. Workloads that are heavily multi-threaded and not memory-bandwidth-sensitive, such as batch processing, database transactions with moderate concurrency, or virtualization of low-CPU VMs, would see adequate performance from the eight cores. The 50th percentile ranking suggests it matches the median CPU, so it is not suitable for high-performance computing or latency-critical financial trading where single-thread speed dominates.

For gaming, the Opteron 4276 HE is a poor choice due to its server-oriented architecture, low base clock, and lack of integrated graphics. The 2.60 GHz base clock and Bulldozer’s weak single-thread performance would bottleneck modern game engines that rely on a few fast cores. For content creation, the eight threads help in video encoding or 3D rendering, but the 25.6 GB/s memory bandwidth and dual-channel limitation would slow down previews and timeline scrubbing. Office productivity suites that are single-threaded would run adequately but without any speed advantage, as the processor’s median percentile reflects average responsiveness.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The processor’s design philosophy is evident in its clock speeds: a 2.60 GHz base and a 3.60 GHz boost. The low base clock indicates that sustained all-core loads are power-capped, while the boost clock offers a temporary surge for single-threaded tasks. In multi-threaded workloads, all eight cores can operate simultaneously, but likely at a frequency closer to the base clock than the boost, given the 65-watt TDP. This means parallel throughput is dictated by the base clock and the shared 8 MB L3 cache, which can cause contention when all cores access the same data.

Single-threaded performance is weak by modern standards, as the Bulldozer architecture’s per-module design shares resources between two integer cores, reducing individual core efficiency. The lack of threads per core (8 threads for 8 cores) means no additional parallelism from SMT, so the multi-thread advantage comes purely from having eight physical cores. The 50th percentile ranking likely reflects a balance: it beats dual-core and older quad-core parts in multi-threaded tests but loses to modern six-core and eight-core consumer CPUs that have higher clock speeds and better IPC. For workloads that scale linearly with core count, such as compilation or scientific simulations, the Opteron 4276 HE provides predictable scaling, but for workloads with serial dependencies, the low base clock becomes a bottleneck. The data suggests that this processor is best deployed in environments where the workload is known to be parallel and where power efficiency is prioritized over peak performance.