AMD Opteron 8356 (B3)

The AMD Opteron 8356 (B3) is a server/workstation processor released on April 8, 2008, built on the Barcelona codename with a 65 nm process node. It has 4 cores and 4 threads at a base clock of 2.30 GHz, a 95W TDP, and targets the AMD Socket Fr2 platform. The part number is OS8356WAL4BGH, and production status is end-of-life.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data for the Opteron 8356 (B3) is minimal: the benchmarks array is empty, and the average benchmark score is recorded as 0. The percentile ranking against all CPUs in the database is 50, placing this processor exactly at the midpoint of the database population — half of all recorded CPUs rank above it and half below.

Because the nearestRivals field is empty, no direct rival scores or deltaPct values exist for comparison. The 50th percentile is therefore the only positional reference. This is a neutral standing: the processor is neither a top-tier performer nor a bottom-tier entry within the database's full range of CPUs, which spans many generations, market segments, and process nodes.

The average benchmark score of 0 suggests that no recorded benchmark runs have been submitted for this part. Without a nonzero average score, the percentile ranking is likely derived from the processor's classification and specifications rather than from measured workload performance. This is typical for end-of-life server parts that predate the database's benchmark collection window.

The empty benchmarks array limits the precision of any performance statement. The data cannot confirm how the Opteron 8356 (B3) behaves under compute-heavy server workloads relative to contemporaries. The 50th percentile does not break down single-thread versus multi-thread performance, nor does it separate integer, floating-point, or memory-bound tasks. The conclusion is that the Opteron 8356 (B3) sits at the median of the CPU population, with no measured scores to refine that position.

Power and Thermals

The Opteron 8356 (B3) carries a TDP of 95W, placing it in a moderate power envelope for a server processor. A 95W part can be handled by a capable air cooler; in a rack-mount server chassis, standard ducted airflow or a low-profile heatsink with adequate static pressure would suffice. The data does not list a cooler size or type, so the cooling tier is implied by the TDP class rather than specified.

The 65 nm process node, 463 million transistors, and 285 mm² die size provide the physical context for this TDP. A 65 nm process typically means higher leakage and greater heat density per area, but 95W is still moderate for a quad-core server part of its generation. The die size of 285 mm² is substantial, and the transistor count reflects the complexity of the Barcelona design.

The data shows no boost clock, so 2.30 GHz is the maximum sustained frequency. Without a boost mechanism, thermal headroom is not used for frequency scaling; the processor runs at a fixed 2.30 GHz under load. This simplifies thermal design: the cooling solution must dissipate up to 95W continuously, with no transient boost spikes to accommodate. The absence of an unlocked multiplier means the processor cannot be overclocked, so the 95W figure is a hard ceiling for cooling design.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Opteron 8356 (B3) has 4 cores and 4 threads, indicating no simultaneous multithreading (SMT). Each physical core maps to exactly one thread. The operating system sees 4 logical processors, each capable of executing one instruction stream.

The cache hierarchy is per-core L1 and L2 with a shared L3: each core has 64 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2, while the 2 MB L3 is shared across all four cores. Single-threaded workloads benefit from dedicated L1 and L2 resources without contention from other cores — a single thread can use the full 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 of its core, plus access the shared 2 MB L3 when needed.

For multi-threaded workloads, the shared L3 is the point of contention. All four cores compete for the 2 MB L3, which is small by modern standards but reasonable for the 2008 era. The dual-channel DDR2 memory bus with a bandwidth of 10.7 GB/s is the external data path; with four cores sharing this bandwidth, memory-intensive multi-threaded workloads may see throughput limited by the memory subsystem rather than by core compute capacity.

The base clock of 2.30 GHz applies to all four cores. Since there is no boost clock, single-thread performance is the per-core clock multiplied by the per-core IPC. The data does not provide IPC figures, but the 2.30 GHz clock with 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core indicates that latency-sensitive single-threaded tasks — such as database lookups or serial sections of server workloads — will run at full clock speed without thermal throttling concerns. Multi-threaded throughput scales linearly with the four physical cores, but the lack of SMT means the processor cannot extract additional parallelism from software that exposes more than 4 threads.

The practical implication is that the Opteron 8356 (B3) is best suited for workloads with 4 or fewer concurrent threads, or for multi-threaded workloads where each thread has modest memory demands. The 2 MB shared L3 and 10.7 GB/s memory bandwidth are the limiting factors for scaling beyond four threads.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the AMD Opteron 8356 (B3) use?

A: It uses the AMD Socket Fr2.

Q: How many cores and threads does it have?

A: It has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the base clock speed?

A: The base clock is 2.30 GHz. There is no boost clock listed.

Q: Does it support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory support is listed as true.

Q: What type of memory does it support?

A: It supports DDR2, with the exact type depending on the motherboard. The memory bus is dual-channel with a bandwidth of 10.7 GB/s.

Q: What is the TDP?

A: The TDP is 95W.

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

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

Q: What is the process node and transistor count?

A: The process node is 65 nm, and the transistor count is 463 million on a 285 mm² die.

How It Compares

The nearestRivals field in the database is empty, so no direct rival names, scores, or deltaPct values are available for comparison. The only positional metric is the 50th percentile ranking against all CPUs in the database.

A 50th percentile placement means the Opteron 8356 (B3) is exactly in the middle of the database's CPU population. It outperforms half of all recorded CPUs and lags behind the other half. This is a neutral positioning: not a standout, not a laggard.

The average benchmark score of 0 complicates comparison. Since no measured score exists, the percentile is likely based on the processor's specifications and classification rather than on observed performance. In the absence of rival deltas, the data cannot confirm whether the Opteron 8356 (B3) is ahead of or behind any specific competitor.

The 50th percentile is a global figure across all CPUs in the database, not a segment-specific one. The Opteron 8356 (B3) is being compared against everything from embedded chips to high-end desktop and server CPUs. The midpoint placement is a statement about the database's full range, not about the processor's peer group. The 65 nm process, 4 cores at 2.30 GHz, and 95W TDP place this processor in the early server quad-core era, but without contemporaneous rivals in the database, any inference about its standing against peers would require outside knowledge, which this analysis does not use.

Platform and Compatibility

The Opteron 8356 (B3) is built for the AMD Socket Fr2 platform. The architecture is listed as Zen 3, with the codename Barcelona, and the generation is Opteron (Barcelona). The process node is 65 nm.

Memory support is DDR2, with the specific module type depending on the motherboard. The memory bus is dual-channel, providing a bandwidth of 10.7 GB/s. ECC memory is supported, which is expected for a server/workstation part.

The data does not list PCIe support, so no PCIe lanes or version can be stated. Integrated graphics are also not present, which is typical for a server processor; a discrete graphics adapter or a motherboard with onboard video would be required for display output.

The processor is end-of-life, with a release date of April 8, 2008. The launch MSRP is $1514. The multiplier is not unlocked, so overclocking via multiplier adjustment is not available. The part number is OS8356WAL4BGH.

The upgrade path is limited by the Socket Fr2 platform and the end-of-life status. Within the database, there are no listed successors or compatible upgrades for this socket. The DDR2 memory dependency on the motherboard means that any platform upgrade would require new memory as well, but the database does not specify which motherboards support this processor.

The dual-channel memory bus with 10.7 GB/s bandwidth is a fixed platform characteristic. For a server workload, the memory bandwidth is a potential bottleneck when all 4 cores are active, since the shared L3 of 2 MB is small and the processor relies on frequent memory access. ECC support mitigates memory errors, which is important for long-running server applications.

The 95W TDP and Socket Fr2 form factor mean that cooling solutions designed for this socket and power class are required. The database does not specify cooler compatibility, but the TDP class implies a standard server cooling solution. The market segment is explicitly Server/Workstation, which aligns with the ECC memory support, the absence of integrated graphics, and the lack of a multiplier unlock — characteristics typical of a processor meant for reliable, long-duration operation in server racks rather than for enthusiast overclocking.