AMD Opteron 6212 vs Intel Core i5-2400 Comparison

The AMD Opteron 6212 and the Intel Core i5-2400 are two end-of-life processors from 2011 that occupy very different positions in the database. The Opteron 6212 is an 8-core server and workstation part built on AMD's Bulldozer architecture, while the Core i5-2400 is a 4-core desktop processor from Intel's Sandy Bridge generation. Despite their differences, both sit at the 33rd percentile among all CPUs tracked in the database, and their average benchmark scores are close: 1162 for the Opteron and 1187 for the i5-2400. The head-to-head Cinebench results, however, tell a consistent story: the Opteron wins all five recorded comparisons.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Opteron 6212 has 8 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core i5-2400 has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: How do their clock speeds compare?

A: The Core i5-2400 runs at a base clock of 3.10 GHz and boosts to 3.40 GHz. The Opteron 6212 has a lower base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz.

Q: Which processor wins in the head-to-head Cinebench tests?

A: The Opteron 6212 wins all five head-to-head Cinebench comparisons. The margins range from 2.6% in Cinebench R20 single-core to 3.3% in Cinebench R15 multi-core.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Opteron 6212 supports ECC memory, while the Core i5-2400 does not.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-2400 includes Intel HD 2000 integrated graphics. The AMD Opteron 6212 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What are their average benchmark scores?

A: The Core i5-2400 has an average benchmark score of 1187, while the Opteron 6212 has an average of 1162. The i5-2400 is slightly ahead by 25 points.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on workload and platform. For multi-threaded Cinebench rendering, the AMD Opteron 6212 is the stronger part, winning every recorded head-to-head test. Its 8-core configuration gives it a measurable edge in threaded workloads, with margins between 2.6% and 3.3% across the five Cinebench tests.

The Intel Core i5-2400, however, holds a higher average benchmark score overall (1187 versus 1162) and offers higher clock speeds, a lower TDP of 95 watts versus 115 watts, and integrated graphics. It also uses the more common Socket 1155 platform and supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes.

For a server or workstation workload where ECC memory and multi-core rendering matter, the Opteron 6212 is the appropriate choice. For a desktop system where integrated graphics, lower power draw, and higher clocks are priorities, the Core i5-2400 fits better. The Opteron's launch MSRP was $266.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data covers five Cinebench tests, and the Opteron 6212 wins all of them. The largest margin is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the Opteron scores 340 against the i5-2400's 329, a 3.3% advantage. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a similar pattern: 1418 for the Opteron versus 1374 for the i5-2400, a 3.2% lead.

Cinebench R23 multi-core follows the same trend, with the Opteron at 3377 and the i5-2400 at 3272, again a 3.2% difference. The single-core tests are closer. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Opteron scores 199 against 194, a 2.6% margin. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Opteron scores 476 against 462, a 3.0% margin.

The consistency of these results is notable. Even in single-core tests, where the i5-2400's higher clock speeds might be expected to help, the Opteron still comes out ahead. The i5-2400 does have additional Geekbench scores in the database (2011 multi-core and 666 single-core), but no Geekbench results are recorded for the Opteron, so no direct comparison is possible there.

Looking at the broader database context, the Opteron 6212's average score of 1162 places it near the Intel Core i5-3450, which scores 1166 with a delta of -0.4%, and the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2312 at 1156 with a delta of 0.5%. The i5-2400's average of 1187 sits close to the Intel Core i5-4460T at 1190 with a delta of -0.2% and the AMD Opteron 6234 at 1191 with a delta of -0.3%. Both processors are clustered in a tight performance band around the 33rd percentile.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. The Opteron 6212 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-2400 has 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 2.60 GHz for the Opteron and 3.10 GHz for the i5-2400. Boost clocks are 3.20 GHz and 3.40 GHz respectively.

TDP differs as well: the Opteron is rated at 115 watts, the i5-2400 at 95 watts. The Opteron uses AMD Socket G34, while the i5-2400 uses Intel Socket 1155. Memory support is DDR3 for both, but the Opteron uses a quad-channel memory bus with 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth, while the i5-2400 uses a dual-channel bus with no bandwidth figure recorded.

ECC memory support is present on the Opteron but absent on the i5-2400. PCIe support differs: the Opteron uses Gen 2, while the i5-2400 uses Gen 3 with 16 CPU-only lanes. The i5-2400 includes Intel HD 2000 integrated graphics; the Opteron has none. The Opteron is classified as a server and workstation part, while the i5-2400 is a desktop part. The Opteron's part number is OS6212WKT8GGU, and the i5-2400's is SR00Q. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Architecture Differences

The Opteron 6212 is built on AMD's Bulldozer architecture with the codename Interlagos, part of the Opteron 6000 series. It uses a 32 nm process from GlobalFoundries and contains 2,400 million transistors on a dual-die design with each die measuring 315 mm². The cache layout is 768 KB of L1, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 8 MB of L3 per die.

The Core i5-2400 uses Intel's Sandy Bridge architecture, also on a 32 nm process but fabricated by Intel. It contains 1,160 million transistors on a single 216 mm² die. The cache layout is 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3.

The architectural philosophies are different. The Opteron uses a module-based design with shared L2 per module and a large L3 per die, optimized for multi-threaded server workloads. The i5-2400 uses a more conventional per-core cache hierarchy with a shared L3, optimized for desktop responsiveness. The Opteron's transistor count is more than double that of the i5-2400, reflecting its larger dual-die design and 8-core configuration.

Where Each One Wins

The Opteron 6212 wins in all five recorded Cinebench head-to-head tests. Its advantages are most pronounced in multi-core workloads, where the 8-core configuration delivers a 3.2% to 3.3% lead over the i5-2400 in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. It also wins the single-core tests, though by slightly smaller margins of 2.6% to 3.0%. The Opteron additionally supports ECC memory and a quad-channel memory bus with 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth, making it the stronger choice for server and workstation environments where data integrity and memory throughput are priorities.

The Core i5-2400 wins in areas not covered by the head-to-head Cinebench tests. It has a higher average benchmark score overall (1187 versus 1162), higher base and boost clocks, a lower TDP of 95 watts, integrated graphics, and PCIe Gen 3 support. Its dual-channel memory bus and lack of ECC support make it less suited to server roles, but its desktop-oriented feature set, including Intel HD 2000 graphics, makes it a more complete package for a standalone desktop system.

In practical terms, the choice depends on the platform. A system built around Socket G34 with ECC memory and a need for multi-threaded rendering performance would favor the Opteron 6212. A system built around Socket 1155 with a need for integrated graphics, lower power consumption, and higher clock speeds would favor the Core i5-2400. The recorded data shows the Opteron as the consistent winner in Cinebench, but the i5-2400 holds the edge in overall average score and platform flexibility.