Core i5-3470S vs Opteron 3380

Core i5-3470S vs Opteron 3380 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-3470S

4 / 4

4,374

+0.4%

4,358

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-3470S vs Opteron 3380 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-3470S vs Opteron 3380: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-3470S

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $45 less on MSRP ($184 MSRP vs $229 MSRP).
✅Delivers 24.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 23.8 vs 19.0 PassMark/$ ($184 MSRP vs $229 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 2500, while Opteron 3380 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Opteron 3380 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Opteron 3380, which brings 8 cores / 8 threads.

Opteron 3380

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,358 vs 4,374).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.0 vs 23.8 PassMark/$ ($229 MSRP vs $184 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-3470S can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-3470S better than Opteron 3380?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Opteron 3380 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-3470S is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3470S is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-3470S is the better buy right now. Core i5-3470S comes in $45 cheaper on MSRP at $184 MSRP versus $229 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Opteron 3380 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 13.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 24.9% better value on MSRP (23.8 vs 19.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Opteron 3380 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i5-3470S vs Opteron 3380 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-3470S

The Core i5-3470S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,374 points. Launch price was $200.

Opteron 3380

The Opteron 3380 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Delhi (2012−2013) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,358 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-3470S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Opteron 3380 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Opteron 3380 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-3470S versus 3.6 GHz on the Opteron 3380 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i5-3470S uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Opteron 3380 uses Delhi (2012−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3470S scores 4,374 against the Opteron 3380's 4,358 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-3470S. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3470S vs 8192 kB (total) on the Opteron 3380.

Feature	Core i5-3470S	Opteron 3380
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+12%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8192 kB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	8192 kB+3100%
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Delhi (2012−2013)
PassMark	4,374	4,358

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3470S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Opteron 3380 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3470S	Opteron 3380
Socket	LGA1155	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3470S) / not specified (Opteron 3380). The Core i5-3470S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2500), while the Opteron 3380 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3470S targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-3470S	Opteron 3380
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 2500	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3470S was priced at $184, while the Opteron 3380 came in at $229. On launch pricing ($184 vs $229), Core i5-3470S was $45 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3470S delivers 23.8 pts/$ vs 19.0 pts/$ for the Opteron 3380 — making the Core i5-3470S the 22.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3470S	Opteron 3380
MSRP	$184-20%	$229
Performance per Dollar	23.8+25%	19.0
Release Date	2012	2012

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