AMD Opteron 4340

The AMD Opteron 4340 is a server and workstation processor built on the Piledriver architecture, codenamed Seoul, and released on 2012-12-03. It packs 6 cores with 6 threads, running at a 3.50 GHz base clock and a 3.80 GHz boost clock, all within a 95 W TDP on the AMD Socket C32 platform. The chip is fabricated on a 32 nm process with 1,200 million transistors on a 315 mm² die.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Opteron 4340 presents a straightforward 6-core, 6-thread configuration. There is no simultaneous multithreading here; each core handles exactly one thread. That means the multi-threaded ceiling is defined by six physical cores operating in parallel, not by virtual threads. For workloads that scale linearly with core count, the 4340 will use all six cores fully, but it cannot extract extra parallelism from a single core the way SMT-equipped parts do.

Single-thread performance is driven by the clock speeds. The base clock of 3.50 GHz is respectable, and the boost clock of 3.80 GHz provides additional headroom when thermal and power conditions allow. The Piledriver architecture, while not the newest design, delivers a predictable single-thread experience at these clock rates. The L1 cache of 288 KB and L2 cache of 6 MB are per-core resources that feed each execution unit, while the 8 MB shared L3 cache acts as a common pool for data shared across cores.

In real workloads, the split is clear. A database query that is single-threaded will rely on the 3.80 GHz boost clock and the cache hierarchy. A multi-threaded rendering job will use all six cores, but the lack of SMT means the total throughput is capped at six threads. The shared 8 MB L3 cache helps when threads communicate frequently, as shared data does not need to travel through main memory. For workloads that are heavily parallel but have low inter-thread communication, the 4340 behaves like a pure six-core part.

The 50th percentile placement among all CPUs in the database indicates that this processor sits exactly at the median. Half of all recorded CPUs perform better, and half perform worse. That is a useful anchor: the 4340 is not a high-end part, but it is also not a bottom-tier one. Its position is squarely in the middle of the field.

Who Should Consider It

The market segment listed for the Opteron 4340 is Server/Workstation. That is the intended audience. For a server environment running six concurrent virtual machines, or a workstation compiling code across six threads, the 4340 provides a predictable number of execution units. The 95 W TDP is moderate for a server part, meaning cooling requirements are not extreme. A standard server chassis with adequate airflow should handle it.

Gaming is not the target. The 4340 lacks integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is mandatory. Its 6-core, 6-thread layout is adequate for older games, but modern titles that favor higher single-thread performance will lean on the 3.80 GHz boost clock. The processor's server heritage shows in its memory support: DDR3 is the only memory type, and ECC memory is not supported. That last point is notable, because many server workloads rely on ECC for data integrity. The absence of ECC support means the 4340 is better suited to environments where memory errors are tolerable, or where the platform does not require ECC.

Office productivity and general desktop use are possible but not the intended use case. The 3.50 GHz base clock is high enough for responsive interaction, and the six cores can handle multiple background tasks. However, the platform is a server socket, so a compatible motherboard is required. This is not a drop-in part for a consumer desktop.

For creation workloads, the six cores will help with video encoding or 3D rendering that can use all threads. The 8 MB shared L3 cache reduces memory traffic for data sets that fit within it. The 32 nm process node and 1,200 million transistors indicate a design from an era where power efficiency was not as advanced as today's parts, but the 95 W TDP keeps it manageable.

Benchmark Performance

The database records an average benchmark score of 0 for the Opteron 4340, and a percentile rank of 50 among all CPUs. The score of 0 is notable: it suggests that no benchmark submissions have been recorded for this part, so the percentile is derived from its specifications rather than measured performance. The 50th percentile placement means the 4340 sits at the midpoint of the CPU distribution in the database.

Given the lack of direct benchmark scores, the performance picture must be inferred from the specifications. Six cores at 3.50 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost, with a 6 MB L2 and 8 MB shared L3, place this processor in the middle of the server CPU spectrum of its era. The 3.80 GHz boost clock is competitive for single-threaded tasks, and the six physical cores provide solid multi-thread throughput. The absence of SMT means the multi-thread score will be lower than a comparable 6-core part with SMT, but the raw clock speed compensates somewhat.

The percentile of 50 is the single most informative benchmark-derived figure. It tells a builder that this CPU will not embarrass itself, but it will not lead any performance charts either. For a server running modest workloads, that is acceptable. For a high-performance computing node, it would be inadequate.

How It Compares

The database does not list any nearest rivals for the Opteron 4340. This means there are no direct comparison points with specific delta percentages. The only positioning data available is the 50th percentile rank. In the absence of rival scores, the comparison must be qualitative. Against a hypothetical 6-core part with SMT, the 4340 would lose in multi-threaded tasks because it cannot process more than six threads. Against a lower-clocked 6-core part, the 4340's 3.80 GHz boost would give it a single-thread advantage. The 95 W TDP is a useful reference point: parts with higher TDPs typically offer more performance headroom, while lower-TDP parts are more efficient.

The lack of rival data is itself a statement. The Opteron 4340 is not a high-profile processor in the database, and its benchmark presence is minimal. Builders should treat it as a known-quantity server CPU from the Piledriver era, with performance characteristics that are predictable from its clock speeds and core count.

Platform and Compatibility

The Opteron 4340 uses the AMD Socket C32 platform. This is a server-oriented socket, so motherboard selection is limited to server and workstation boards that support C32. The chip is built on the Piledriver architecture with the codename Seoul, and it is part of the Opteron (Seoul) generation. The process node is 32 nm, with 1,200 million transistors on a 315 mm² die.

Memory support is DDR3 only. The fact pack does not list a memory bus width or bandwidth, so the memory interface details are not specified. ECC memory is not supported, which is unusual for a server part and should be a deciding factor for buyers who need error-correcting memory. The multiplier is locked, meaning overclocking via multiplier adjustment is not possible. The base clock of 3.50 GHz and boost clock of 3.80 GHz are fixed by the design.

The part number is OS4340WLU6KHK. The release date is 2012-12-03. The TDP is 95 W, which is modest for a six-core server processor. The lack of integrated graphics means a discrete GPU is required for any display output. The cache layout is 288 KB L1, 6 MB L2, and 8 MB shared L3.

Upgrade path: the C32 socket supports other Opteron parts from the same generation, but the fact pack does not list specific compatible models. The locked multiplier and DDR3 memory support mean that any upgrade would require a full platform change to move to a newer socket and memory type. For a builder in 2012, this was a mid-range server option. For a builder today, it is a legacy part.

FAQ

Q: Does the AMD Opteron 4340 support ECC memory?

A: No. The FACT PACK lists ECC memory support as false for this processor.

Q: What socket does the Opteron 4340 use?

A: It uses the AMD Socket C32.

Q: How many cores and threads does it have?

A: It has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: What is the base and boost clock speed?

A: The base clock is 3.50 GHz and the boost clock is 3.80 GHz.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is locked (multiplierUnlocked is false).

Q: What is the process node and die size?

A: The process node is 32 nm, and the die size is 315 mm² with 1,200 million transistors.