AMD Opteron 6234 vs Intel Xeon E5645 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E5645 and AMD Opteron 6234 are both server-class processors from the early 2010s, but they take fundamentally different design paths. Benchmark results from the database show a clear winner: the Intel part leads in every recorded Cinebench test, despite having half the physical cores of the AMD chip. This analysis breaks down the head-to-head numbers, architectural differences, and specification gaps.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records five Cinebench comparisons between the two processors. The Intel Xeon E5645 wins all five. In Cinebench R15 multicore, Intel scores 421 against AMD's 348, a 21% advantage. The R20 multicore test shows a similar pattern: 1758 vs 1453, again a 21% lead. Single-core results are even more lopsided: R20 singlecore gives Intel 248 and AMD 204, a 21.6% gap. R23 multicore has Intel at 4187 and AMD at 3461, a 21% difference, while R23 singlecore sees Intel at 591 and AMD at 488, a 21.1% margin. These deltas are consistent across the board, indicating a fundamental performance advantage rather than a test-specific quirk.

The average benchmark score reinforces this. Intel's average is 1211, while AMD's is 1191, a 20-point gap. In percentile terms, Intel sits at the 34th percentile of all CPUs, AMD at the 33rd, so both are in the lower-middle range of the database, but Intel is slightly ahead. The head-to-head data shows no wins for AMD; the Intel part dominates every recorded workload. The consistency of the 21% lead in multicore tests is particularly telling, because the AMD chip has twice as many physical cores. That suggests the Intel architecture extracts more useful work per core, even when the workload scales across threads.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different design philosophies. Intel's Xeon E5645 uses the Westmere architecture, specifically Westmere-EP, built on a 32 nm process at Intel's own foundry. AMD's Opteron 6234 uses the Bulldozer architecture, codenamed Interlagos, also on a 32 nm process but fabricated by GlobalFoundries. The transistor counts differ dramatically: Intel packs 1,170 million transistors into a 239 mm² die, while AMD uses 2,400 million transistors across two 315 mm² dies, for a total die area of 630 mm². This reflects AMD's modular approach with two separate dies, which increases complexity and power draw but allows for more physical cores.

Cache layouts are also distinct. Intel provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 12 MB L3. AMD's cache is organized differently: 768 KB of L1 total, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 8 MB of L3 per die. The Opteron has 12 physical cores but no simultaneous multithreading, so it offers 12 threads. The Xeon has 6 cores with Hyper-Threading, also yielding 12 threads. Both support DDR3 memory, but Intel uses a triple-channel memory bus while AMD uses quad-channel. AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s; Intel does not have a recorded bandwidth figure in the database.

Socket and platform differ as well. Intel uses Socket 1366, AMD uses Socket G34. The base clock is identical at 2.40 GHz, but the boost clock differs: Intel reaches 2.67 GHz, AMD reaches 3.00 GHz. Despite the higher boost clock, AMD still loses in single-core tests, highlighting the architectural efficiency of Intel's Westmere design. TDP also diverges: Intel is rated at 80 W, AMD at 115 W, making the Intel part more power-efficient on paper. The release dates also separate them: Intel arrived on March 15, 2010, while AMD followed on November 13, 2011.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The AMD Opteron 6234 has 12 physical cores, while the Intel Xeon E5645 has 6. However, both offer 12 threads because Intel uses Hyper-Threading.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds?

A: The Intel Xeon E5645 boosts to 2.67 GHz, while the AMD Opteron 6234 boosts to 3.00 GHz. The base clock for both is 2.40 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a higher memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Opteron 6234 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, thanks to its quad-channel DDR3 memory bus. The Intel Xeon E5645 uses triple-channel memory, and no bandwidth figure is listed in the database.

Q: How do they compare in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Xeon E5645 leads in every single-core Cinebench test. In R20 singlecore, it scores 248 versus AMD's 204, a 21.6% advantage. In R23 singlecore, it scores 591 versus 488, a 21.1% lead.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP?

A: The Intel Xeon E5645 has a TDP of 80 W, while the AMD Opteron 6234 has a TDP of 115 W.

Q: When were they released?

A: The Intel Xeon E5645 was released on March 15, 2010. The AMD Opteron 6234 was released on November 13, 2011.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Cores: Intel 6, AMD 12
• Threads: Both 12 (but Intel via Hyper-Threading, AMD native)
• Boost clock: Intel 2.67 GHz, AMD 3.00 GHz
• TDP: Intel 80 W, AMD 115 W
• Socket: Intel Socket 1366, AMD Socket G34
• Architecture: Intel Westmere, AMD Bulldozer
• Codename: Intel Westmere-EP, AMD Interlagos
• Generation: Intel Xeon (Westmere-EP), AMD Opteron (Interlagos)
• Foundry: Intel, GlobalFoundries
• Transistors: Intel 1,170 million, AMD 2,400 million
• Die size: Intel 239 mm², AMD 2x 315 mm²
• L1 cache: Intel 64 KB per core, AMD 768 KB total
• L2 cache: Intel 256 KB per core, AMD 2 MB per module
• L3 cache: Intel 12 MB shared, AMD 8 MB per die
• Memory bus: Intel triple-channel, AMD quad-channel
• Memory bandwidth: Intel not listed, AMD 51.2 GB/s
• Release date: Intel March 15, 2010, AMD November 13, 2011
• Launch MSRP: Intel not listed, AMD $377 (stated once)
• Part number: Intel SLBWZ, AMD OS6234WKTCGGU

Note: Both processors share the same base clock (2.40 GHz), process node (32 nm), memory type (DDR3), ECC support, PCIe generation (Gen 2), market segment (Server/Workstation), production status (End-of-life), and lack of integrated graphics.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Xeon E5645 outperforms the AMD Opteron 6234 in every recorded Cinebench test, with margins between 21% and 21.6%. This is despite the AMD chip having twice as many physical cores and a higher boost clock. The Intel part also consumes less power, with an 80 W TDP versus 115 W. For workloads that rely on the Cinebench suite, the Intel Xeon E5645 is the clear choice.

The AMD Opteron 6234 does offer advantages in raw core count and memory bandwidth, but those do not translate into wins in the database's benchmarks. Its higher boost clock and larger transistor budget do not overcome the architectural efficiency of Intel's Westmere design. The Opteron's quad-channel memory and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth may benefit memory-intensive tasks, but no such tests are recorded here.

For users prioritizing single-threaded performance, power efficiency, and overall Cinebench scores, the Intel Xeon E5645 is the better pick. The AMD part might appeal to those who need many physical cores for specific workloads, but the data shows that even in multi-core tests, Intel wins. Given the consistent 21% lead across all tests, the Intel Xeon E5645 is the superior processor in this comparison.