AMD Opteron 6238 vs Intel Core i5-4690 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 6238 wins every single benchmark in this head-to-head comparison, taking all six Cinebench tests by narrow margins. The Intel Core i5-4690 does not win a single test, but the margins are so thin that the practical difference is negligible in most workloads. The Opteron 6238 leads by 0.4% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 0.6% in R20 multi-core, and 0.6% in R23 multi-core. Single-core results show the same pattern: 0.0% in R15, 0.7% in R20, and 0.6% in R23.

The use-case split is not about raw performance but about platform characteristics. The Opteron 6238 is a 12-core server/workstation part with ECC memory support, quad-channel DDR3, and a Gen 2 PCIe interface. The Core i5-4690 is a 4-core desktop part with dual-channel DDR3, no ECC support, Gen 3 PCIe, and integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics. For multi-threaded server workloads that can use 12 threads, the Opteron's wider core count gives it a structural advantage, even if the measured Cinebench deltas are small. For desktop use cases requiring integrated graphics or newer PCIe devices, the Core i5-4690 is the more practical choice, despite losing every Cinebench test.

The percentile data reinforces the closeness: both CPUs sit at the 36th percentile among all CPUs. Their average benchmark scores are 1383 for the Opteron and 1375 for the Core i5. The Opteron's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-3615QE (avg 1381, delta 0.2%) and the AMD Opteron 6366 HE (avg 1379, delta 0.3%). The Core i5-4690's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-1030NG7 (avg 1376, delta -0.1%) and the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 (avg 1379, delta -0.3%). These numbers place both chips in the same performance tier, with the Opteron holding a razor-thin edge across the board.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial. The AMD Opteron 6238 uses the Bulldozer architecture on the Interlagos codename, built on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 2,400 million transistors across a die size of 2x 315 mm². The Intel Core i5-4690 uses the Haswell architecture on the Haswell codename, built on a 22 nm process at Intel. It contains 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die.

The Opteron 6238 is a 12-core, 12-thread part with a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The Core i5-4690 is a 4-core, 4-thread part with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. Cache configurations differ sharply: the Opteron has 768 KB of L1, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 8 MB of L3 per die. The Core i5 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3.

Memory support also diverges. The Opteron 6238 uses quad-channel DDR3 with a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s and ECC support. The Core i5-4690 uses dual-channel DDR3 with no listed memory bandwidth figure and no ECC support. PCIe generations differ: the Opteron offers Gen 2, while the Core i5 offers Gen 3. The Core i5 includes integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics; the Opteron has none. The Opteron is an end-of-life server/workstation part released in November 2011 with a launch MSRP of $455. The Core i5-4690 is a desktop part released in April 2014 with no listed launch MSRP. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data shows a consistent but small Opteron advantage in every Cinebench test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Opteron scores 481 against the Core i5's 479, a 0.4% delta. In R15 single-core, both score exactly 67, with the Opteron winning by a 0.0% margin. The R20 multi-core test shows 2008 for the Opteron versus 1996 for the Core i5, a 0.6% delta. R20 single-core gives 283 to the Opteron and 281 to the Core i5, a 0.7% delta. R23 multi-core results are 4781 for the Opteron and 4754 for the Core i5, another 0.6% delta. R23 single-core shows 675 versus 671, a 0.6% delta.

These margins are remarkably tight. The largest single-core advantage is 0.7% in R20, and the largest multi-core advantage is 0.6% in both R20 and R23. In practical terms, a user would be hard-pressed to notice any difference in real-world applications. The Opteron's 12 cores do not translate into a decisive multi-threaded victory in Cinebench, likely because each Bulldozer core is individually weaker than a Haswell core. The Core i5's higher clocks (3.40 GHz base, 3.80 GHz boost versus 2.60/3.20 GHz) compensate for its lower core count in these tests.

The single-core results are particularly telling. Despite having three times the cores, the Opteron only manages a tie in R15 single-core (67 vs 67) and a 0.7% lead in R20 single-core (283 vs 281). This indicates that the Core i5's per-thread performance is nearly identical to the Opteron's, which is a significant achievement for a chip with a 22 nm process and smaller die. The Opteron's advantage, where it exists, comes from sheer core count rather than per-core efficiency.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification category. The Opteron 6238 has 12 cores and 12 threads; the Core i5-4690 has 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 2.60 GHz versus 3.40 GHz, and boost clocks are 3.20 GHz versus 3.80 GHz. The Opteron has a 115 W TDP; the Core i5 has an 84 W TDP. Sockets are AMD Socket G34 for the Opteron and Intel Socket 1150 for the Core i5.

Process technology differs significantly: the Opteron uses 32 nm at GlobalFoundries, while the Core i5 uses 22 nm at Intel. Transistor counts are 2,400 million versus 1,400 million, and die sizes are 2x 315 mm² versus 177 mm². Cache layouts are entirely different: the Opteron has 768 KB L1, 2 MB L2 per module, and 8 MB L3 per die; the Core i5 has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3.

Memory channels are quad-channel for the Opteron and dual-channel for the Core i5. The Opteron lists 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth; the Core i5 lists none. ECC memory is supported on the Opteron but not on the Core i5. PCIe is Gen 2 on the Opteron and Gen 3 on the Core i5. Integrated graphics are absent on the Opteron and present as Intel HD 4600 on the Core i5. Market segments are Server/Workstation for the Opteron and Desktop for the Core i5. Release dates are November 2011 for the Opteron and April 2014 for the Core i5. The Opteron has a launch MSRP of $455; the Core i5 has none listed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmarks in this comparison?

A: The AMD Opteron 6238 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests. The Intel Core i5-4690 wins none. The Opteron's margins range from 0.0% in R15 single-core to 0.7% in R20 single-core.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Opteron 6238 has an average benchmark score of 1383, while the Core i5-4690 has 1375. Both sit at the 36th percentile among all CPUs. The Opteron's nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-3615QE, scores 1381 with a 0.2% delta.

Q: Do the core counts reflect a large performance gap?

A: No. Despite having 12 cores versus 4, the Opteron's multi-core Cinebench leads are only 0.4% to 0.6%. The Core i5's higher clock speeds (3.40 GHz base, 3.80 GHz boost versus 2.60/3.20 GHz) largely offset the core count disadvantage.

Q: What are the key memory differences?

A: The Opteron 6238 supports quad-channel DDR3 with 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth and ECC memory. The Core i5-4690 supports dual-channel DDR3 with no listed bandwidth figure and no ECC support.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i5-4690 has integrated graphics, specifically Intel HD 4600. The AMD Opteron 6238 has no integrated graphics, which is consistent with its server/workstation market segment.

Q: When were these processors released?

A: The AMD Opteron 6238 was released in November 2011 with a launch MSRP of $455. The Intel Core i5-4690 was released in April 2014. The Opteron is marked as end-of-life production status.

The Verdict

The data points to a narrow but unanimous victory for the AMD Opteron 6238. It wins every Cinebench test, from R15 multi-core (481 vs 479) to R23 single-core (675 vs 671). Its average benchmark score of 1383 also edges out the Core i5-4690's 1375. For workloads that benefit from 12 threads, the Opteron's quad-channel memory with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support make it the more robust server platform, despite its older Bulldozer architecture and 32 nm process.

However, the Core i5-4690 is not without arguments. It matches the Opteron nearly point-for-point in single-threaded tests, with a 67 vs 67 tie in R15 single-core and only 0.7% behind in R20 single-core. Its 84 W TDP is lower than the Opteron's 115 W, it uses a newer 22 nm process, and it offers Gen 3 PCIe and integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics. For a desktop build without a discrete GPU, the Core i5-4690 is the only viable choice between the two.

The verdict depends on the use case. If the workload is multi-threaded server or workstation processing with ECC memory and high memory bandwidth, the Opteron 6238 is the pick. If the workload is general desktop use with integrated graphics or requires Gen 3 PCIe devices, the Core i5-4690 is the better fit. The benchmark results show the Opteron as the technical winner, but the margins are so small that platform features will likely decide the purchase. Both CPUs are at the 36th percentile, and their nearest rivals cluster within 0.3% of their average scores, confirming that neither chip holds a meaningful performance advantage over the other in raw compute. The Opteron's 12 cores give it the edge in Cinebench, but the Core i5-4690's modern architecture and desktop-oriented features make it the more versatile choice for non-server applications.