AMD Opteron 4226 vs Intel Core i5-2500S Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is strikingly one-sided. The AMD Opteron 4226 wins all five head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core i5-2500S, although the margins are consistently narrow. This is not a case of one processor dominating another; it is a case of the Opteron holding a small but repeatable edge across every recorded workload.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Opteron scores 291 against Intel's 288, a 1% advantage. The gap widens slightly in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where AMD posts 1213 versus 1204, a 0.7% lead. Single-core results follow the same pattern: in Cinebench R20 single-core, the Opteron records 171 against 169, a 1.2% differential, while in Cinebench R23 single-core it leads 408 to 404, a 1% edge. The largest single delta appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where AMD's 2890 tops Intel's 2867 by 0.8%.

The pattern is clear: the Opteron wins every test, but no win exceeds 1.2%. The Intel part is never more than a few points behind in any individual benchmark. The average benchmark scores reflect this tight competition: Intel averages 1004, AMD averages 995, a difference of less than 1%. The percentile ranking against all CPUs is identical at 27 for both processors.

The nearest rivals for Intel include the Core i5-4300M and Core i7-5600U, both scoring 1004 and 1005 respectively, with deltas of 0% and -0.1%. For AMD, the closest competitors are the Core i7-2635QM and Core i7-2920XM, both at 995 with 0% delta, and the Core i3-8130U at 994 with 0.1% delta. These comparisons show both processors sit in the same performance tier, with the Opteron's five head-to-head wins being a matter of a few points rather than a generational gap.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The AMD Opteron 4226 wins all five recorded head-to-head tests, including Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both multi-core and single-core configurations. The Intel Core i5-2500S records zero wins.

Q: How large is the performance difference between the two?

A: The largest margin is 1.2% in Cinebench R20 single-core. All other deltas are between 0.7% and 1%, making the overall performance difference very small in practical terms despite the Opteron's clean sweep.

Q: Do the two processors have the same base clock speed?

A: Yes, both have a base clock of 2.70 GHz. However, the Intel part boosts to 3.70 GHz while the AMD part boosts to 3.10 GHz, giving Intel a higher maximum frequency.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Opteron 4226 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Intel Core i5-2500S has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Opteron has two additional physical cores.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The Intel Core i5-2500S has a TDP of 65 watts, while the AMD Opteron 4226 has a TDP of 95 watts. The Intel part consumes less power under the recorded specifications.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Opteron 4226 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i5-2500S does not. This makes the Opteron suitable for error-corrected memory configurations.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-2500S is built on the Sandy Bridge architecture, a 32 nm process from Intel's own foundry, while the AMD Opteron 4226 uses the Bulldozer architecture on the Valencia codename, also at 32 nm but fabricated by GlobalFoundries.

The core layouts differ significantly. Intel's Sandy Bridge uses 4 cores with 4 threads, each core having 64 KB of L1 cache, 256 KB of L2 cache, and sharing a 6 MB L3 cache. AMD's Bulldozer design packs 6 cores with 6 threads, but the cache hierarchy is presented differently: 288 KB total L1, 6 MB total L2, and 8 MB shared L3. The transistor counts are close, with Intel at 1,160 million and AMD at 1,200 million, but the die sizes diverge sharply: Intel's die is 216 mm² while AMD's is 315 mm², reflecting the different physical layouts of the module-based Bulldozer design versus Sandy Bridge's traditional core arrangement.

The memory controller differs as well. Both support DDR3 with dual-channel memory buses, but AMD's Opteron lists a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while Intel's data does not include a bandwidth figure. The Opteron also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the Intel part. PCI Express generation differs: Intel provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while AMD provides Gen 2 without lane specifics.

The integrated graphics situation is a major differentiator. The Intel Core i5-2500S includes Intel HD 2000 graphics on-die, while the AMD Opteron 4226 has no integrated graphics at all. This reflects their market segments: Intel targets desktop use with a fallback display output, while AMD targets server and workstation deployments where dedicated graphics are expected.

The socket platforms are incompatible. Intel uses LGA 1155, while AMD uses Socket C32. The release dates also differ, with Intel launching on January 8, 2011, and AMD on November 13, 2011. Both are end-of-life products, but the AMD part carries the Opteron 4000 series branding, indicating its server lineage.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show several clear differences between the two processors. The Intel Core i5-2500S has 4 cores and 4 threads, whereas the AMD Opteron 4226 has 6 cores and 6 threads. Both have the same base clock of 2.70 GHz, but the boost clocks differ: Intel reaches 3.70 GHz, AMD reaches 3.10 GHz.

TDP is another notable difference: Intel draws 65 watts, AMD draws 95 watts. The sockets are entirely different, with Intel on Socket 1155 and AMD on Socket C32. The architectures are distinct, as are the codenames: Sandy Bridge for Intel, Valencia for AMD.

Cache configurations diverge in both structure and total size. Intel provides 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core with a 6 MB shared L3, while AMD provides 288 KB total L1, 6 MB total L2, and 8 MB shared L3. The die sizes also differ significantly, with Intel at 216 mm² and AMD at 315 mm².

Memory support shows a key split: both use DDR3 with dual-channel buses, but AMD specifies a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s and supports ECC memory, while Intel does not list bandwidth or ECC support. PCIe generations differ, with Intel at Gen 3 (16 lanes, CPU only) and AMD at Gen 2. Integrated graphics are present on Intel (HD 2000) but absent on AMD.

Market segments differ: Intel targets desktop, AMD targets server/workstation. The production status is end-of-life for both. Release dates differ by about ten months. The AMD part has a launch MSRP of $125, while Intel's launch MSRP is not recorded.

The part numbers are distinct: Intel's is SR009, AMD's is OS4226WLU6KGU. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The benchmark scores show AMD's average at 995 versus Intel's at 1004, but the head-to-head results favor AMD in every recorded test.

The Verdict

The data points to a simple conclusion: the AMD Opteron 4226 is the better performer in every recorded benchmark, but the margins are so small that the choice depends on context rather than raw speed. The Opteron wins all five head-to-head tests, yet the largest win is only 1.2%. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with Intel at 1004 and AMD at 995, and both sit at the 27th percentile of all CPUs.

For scenarios where maximum clock speed matters, the Intel Core i5-2500S has the advantage with a 3.70 GHz boost versus the Opteron's 3.10 GHz. For scenarios where core count matters, the Opteron's 6 cores versus Intel's 4 cores could help in well-threaded workloads, though the benchmark results do not show a large benefit from those two extra cores.

The TDP difference favors Intel: 65 watts versus 95 watts means the Intel part is more power-efficient per the recorded specifications. The ECC memory support and server market segment favor AMD for reliability-focused deployments. The integrated graphics on Intel provide a display output option that AMD lacks entirely.

The verdict from the data is that neither processor is a clear winner for all users. The Opteron wins every benchmark, but the wins are marginal. The Intel part offers lower power draw, higher boost clocks, and integrated graphics, while the Opteron offers more cores, ECC support, and a server-oriented feature set.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 4226 wins in every recorded benchmark test, but the use-case split goes beyond raw scores. The Opteron is the pick for workloads that benefit from six cores and six threads, even if the benchmark deltas are small. Its ECC memory support makes it suitable for error-sensitive server environments. The 8 MB shared L3 cache is larger than Intel's 6 MB, and the memory bandwidth is specified at 25.6 GB/s, which can matter in data-intensive tasks. The server/workstation market segment reinforces its intended role in multi-socket or reliability-focused systems.

The Intel Core i5-2500S wins on power efficiency, with a 65 watt TDP versus 95 watts, making it the better choice for thermally constrained desktop builds. Its higher boost clock of 3.70 GHz versus 3.10 GHz provides an edge in lightly threaded or latency-sensitive applications where clock speed matters more than core count. The integrated Intel HD 2000 graphics mean a system can operate without a discrete GPU, which is not possible with the Opteron. The desktop market segment and smaller die size (216 mm² versus 315 mm²) reflect a design aimed at mainstream consumer use rather than server racks.

For a headless server or workstation with ECC memory requirements, the Opteron 4226 is the data-supported choice. For a desktop where power draw, integrated graphics, and higher boost clocks are priorities, the Core i5-2500S is the better fit. The benchmark scores themselves are so close that the decision should be driven by these feature differences rather than the 1% performance deltas.