AMD has released a fresh batch of Opteron processors with Piledriver inside. These chips are based on the same “Abu Dhabi” microarchitecture as the Opteron 6300 series that was announced last month. However, the Opteron 4300 and 3300 processors sport fewer cores, less cache, lower prices, and more conservative TDP ratings. Here’s how the various model stack up:
Model number | Cores | Base/Turbo clock speed | TDP | Price |
4386 | 8 | 3.1/3.8GHz | 95W | $348 |
4376 HE | 8 | 2.6/3.6GHz | 65W | $501 |
4340 | 6 | 3.5/3.8GHz | 95W | $348 |
4334 | 6 | 3.1/3.5GHz | 95W | $191 |
4332 HE | 6 | 3.0/3.7GHz | 65W | $415 |
4310 HE | 4 | 2.2/3.0GHz | 35W | $415 |
3380 | 8 | 2.6/3.6GHz | 65W | $229 |
3350 HE | 4 | 2.8/3.8GHz | 45W | $125 |
3320 E | 4 | 1.9/2.5GHz | 25W | $174 |
All of the chips have 8MB of L3 cache. The Opteron 4300 offerings can support up to six DIMMs and 192GB of memory per CPU, while the 3300 series is limited to four DIMMs and 32GB. Both families have dual memory channels that work with DDR3 memory up to 1866MHz. The press release also mentions support for ultra-low voltage 1.25V memory, but only in relation to the Opteron 4300 series.
The Opteron 4300 series’ dual HyperTransport links allow it to work in dual-socket systems. With only one HT interconnect, the 3300 family is limited to single-socket implementations. The new chips should drop into the same sockets and systems as their predecessors, facilitating easy upgrades. Incidentally, AMD claims the Opteron 4300 series offers 15% better performance than the previous generation in SPECint and a 24% boost in performance per watt in SPECpower.
While AMD doesn’t quote performance data for the Opteron 3300 series, it’s worth noting that the 3320 E breaks new ground with its 25W TDP. The most power-efficient chip in the old Opteron 3200 lineup has a 45W thermal envelope. The Opteron 4310 HE’s 35W TDP isn’t any lower than the previous generation, but the chip’s clock speeds are higher.