AMD Opteron 4274 HE vs Intel Core i5-6500TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a complete sweep for the AMD Opteron 4274 HE across every shared Cinebench test. In the six head-to-head comparisons, the Opteron wins all of them, with margins that are remarkably consistent. The multicore results show a 15.4% advantage in Cinebench R15 (494 vs 428), a 15.3% edge in R20 (2061 vs 1787), and a 15.4% lead in R23 (4909 vs 4255). The pattern is almost mechanical, which suggests a fundamental throughput advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

Single-core results tell a similar story, with the Opteron leading by 15% in R15 (69 vs 60), 15.5% in R20 (291 vs 252), and 15.5% in R23 (693 vs 600). This is notable because single-core performance is often where Intel's architecture is expected to excel, yet the data shows the older AMD chip holding a consistent edge in these Cinebench tests. The margins are tight in absolute terms, but they are uniform across all three Cinebench generations included in the database.

The Intel Core i5-6500TE does have additional Geekbench entries in its benchmark set, which the AMD part lacks. In Geekbench, the i5-6500TE scores 2749 multicore and 1062 single-core. Since the Opteron 4274 HE has no corresponding Geekbench data in the database, a direct head-to-head comparison in that test is not possible from the recorded measurements.

Average benchmark scores place the two processors nearly level. The Opteron 4274 HE averages 1420 across its six Cinebench results, while the i5-6500TE averages 1399 across its eight results (six Cinebench plus two Geekbench). The nearest-rival data reinforces this closeness. The Opteron's closest competitor is the Intel Core i7-3720QM at 1421 (a 0.1% difference), followed by the Core i7-2700K at 1419 and the Xeon Bronze 3106 at 1422. The i5-6500TE sits near the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 at 1401 (0.1% above), the Xeon E-2104G at 1402, and the Pentium Gold G7400TE at 1404. Both processors land in the 37th percentile of all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy similar overall performance tiers even though the head-to-head Cinebench results favor AMD.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different architectural generations and design philosophies. The AMD Opteron 4274 HE uses the Bulldozer architecture with the Valencia codename, built on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 8 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.50 GHz. The transistor count is listed at 1,200 million, and the die size is 315 mm². The Intel Core i5-6500TE, by contrast, uses Skylake, built on Intel's 14 nm process, with 4 cores and 4 threads, a base clock of 2.30 GHz, and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. Its die size is 122 mm², which is less than half the AMD chip's footprint.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The Opteron has 384 KB of L1 cache, 8 MB of L2 cache, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-6500TE lists L1 as 64 KB per core, L2 as 256 KB per core, and L3 as 6 MB shared. For a 4-core chip, that works out to 256 KB total L1 and 1 MB total L2, though the database records per-core figures for Intel and aggregate figures for AMD. The AMD part's larger L2 and L3 allocations likely reflect its server-oriented design, where more cache helps with multi-threaded database and virtualization workloads.

Memory support also diverges. The Opteron 4274 HE supports DDR3 only, with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory, which is common for server platforms. The i5-6500TE supports both DDR3 and DDR4, also dual-channel, with a higher listed bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. However, it does not support ECC memory, which is a meaningful distinction for reliability-focused deployments.

PCIe generations differ as well. The Opteron uses PCIe Gen 2, while the i5-6500TE uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes available from the CPU. The Intel chip also includes integrated graphics in the form of HD Graphics 530, whereas the AMD part has no integrated graphics listed. The Opteron targets the server and workstation segment with socket C32, while the i5-6500TE is a desktop part on Socket 1151. The Opteron's production status is end-of-life, as is the i5-6500TE's, so both are legacy products in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data points to a clear division of strengths. The AMD Opteron 4274 HE wins every shared Cinebench test, both multicore and single-core, with margins around 15%. This suggests that for Cinebench rendering workloads, the Opteron's 8 cores and higher clock speeds (2.50 GHz base, 3.50 GHz boost) provide a tangible advantage over the i5-6500TE's 4 cores and lower clocks (2.30 GHz base, 3.30 GHz boost). The consistent single-core win is interesting because it implies the Bulldozer core, despite its age, still outperforms the Skylake core in these specific tests.

The Intel Core i5-6500TE, however, has strengths that the Cinebench-only comparison does not capture. Its Geekbench results, which are absent for the AMD part, show solid performance in both multicore (2749) and single-core (1062) tests. These scores, when averaged with its Cinebench results, bring the i5-6500TE to within 1.5% of the Opteron's average benchmark score. The i5-6500TE also supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, which gives it flexibility in system builds, and its 35 W TDP is significantly lower than the Opteron's 65 W.

For use cases, the Opteron 4274 HE is better suited for multi-threaded server or workstation tasks that can leverage 8 cores, such as rendering, compilation, or virtualization, especially where ECC memory is a requirement. The i5-6500TE, with its integrated graphics and lower power draw, fits desktop scenarios where energy efficiency matters and where a separate GPU may not be needed. Its PCIe Gen 3 support also offers faster data transfer to compatible devices.

The power envelope is a major differentiator. The i5-6500TE's 35 W TDP is exactly half the Opteron's 65 W. For dense server deployments or always-on systems, that difference could translate into real thermal and operational advantages, even if the raw Cinebench numbers favor AMD.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. The Opteron 4274 HE has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-6500TE has 4 cores and 4 threads. Clock speeds favor AMD: 2.50 GHz base versus 2.30 GHz, and 3.50 GHz boost versus 3.30 GHz. TDP strongly favors Intel: 65 W for AMD versus 35 W for Intel. Sockets are incompatible: AMD Socket C32 versus Intel Socket 1151.

Process node and foundry differ: AMD uses 32 nm from GlobalFoundries, Intel uses 14 nm in-house. Transistor counts are listed only for AMD at 1,200 million; Intel's is not recorded. Die size is 315 mm² for AMD and 122 mm² for Intel. Cache totals differ: AMD has 384 KB L1, 8 MB L2, and 8 MB L3 shared; Intel has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB L3 shared.

Memory support: AMD uses DDR3 only, Intel supports DDR3 and DDR4. Memory bandwidth is higher on Intel at 34.1 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s. ECC support is present on AMD but absent on Intel. PCIe generation: AMD uses Gen 2, Intel uses Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics exist only on Intel (HD Graphics 530). Market segments differ: AMD is server/workstation, Intel is desktop. Release dates place AMD in November 2011 and Intel in October 2015, roughly four years apart. The launch MSRP for the Opteron 4274 HE was $377, while the i5-6500TE launched at $192.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Opteron 4274 HE wins all six shared Cinebench tests. The Intel Core i5-6500TE wins none of those head-to-head comparisons.

Q: How large is the multicore performance gap in Cinebench R23?

A: The Opteron 4274 HE scores 4909, while the i5-6500TE scores 4255, giving AMD a 15.4% advantage in that test.

Q: Does the Intel chip have any benchmark advantage?

A: The i5-6500TE has Geekbench scores (2749 multicore, 1062 single-core) that are not present for the AMD part, so a direct comparison in Geekbench is impossible from the recorded data.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The Opteron 4274 HE has a TDP of 65 W, while the i5-6500TE has a TDP of 35 W, making the Intel chip much more energy-efficient on paper.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Opteron 4274 HE supports ECC memory, but the i5-6500TE does not.

Q: Which chip has a higher memory bandwidth rating?

A: The i5-6500TE lists 34.1 GB/s, compared to the Opteron's 25.6 GB/s, despite the AMD part having larger caches.

The Verdict

The data suggests that the AMD Opteron 4274 HE is the stronger performer in Cinebench workloads, with a consistent 15% lead across all six shared tests. For anyone running render-heavy tasks that scale with cores, the Opteron's 8 cores and higher clock speeds give it a clear edge. Its ECC memory support and server-oriented design also make it the more appropriate choice for reliability-critical server or workstation builds, assuming the 65 W TDP and DDR3-only memory are acceptable trade-offs.

The Intel Core i5-6500TE, while trailing in every head-to-head Cinebench result, offers a different set of advantages. Its 35 W TDP is significantly lower, which benefits compact or thermally constrained systems. It supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, giving builders more flexibility. Its integrated HD Graphics 530 removes the need for a discrete GPU in basic display scenarios, and its PCIe Gen 3 support is more modern. The Geekbench scores, while not directly comparable, indicate that the i5-6500TE is not far behind in overall average performance, with 1399 versus 1420 for the Opteron.

The verdict depends on priorities. If raw Cinebench throughput and ECC support matter most, the Opteron 4274 HE is the clear choice from the data. If power efficiency, memory flexibility, integrated graphics, and a more modern PCIe interface are the priorities, the i5-6500TE is the better fit. Both chips sit at the 37th percentile in the database, meaning neither is a high-end part by current standards, but each serves a distinct niche. The Opteron is a legacy server workhorse; the i5-6500TE is a low-power desktop processor with broader platform compatibility. The recorded benchmarks do not show a single winner across all dimensions, they show a trade-off between compute throughput and platform efficiency.