AMD Opteron 6238 vs Intel Core i5-6500TE Comparison

The Intel Core i5-6500TE and AMD Opteron 6238 represent two very different approaches to computing, separated by four years of architectural evolution and targeting distinct market segments. The i5-6500TE is a low-power desktop part built on Intel's modern Skylake architecture, while the Opteron 6238 is a high-core-count server processor from AMD's Bulldozer era. Despite the Opteron's age and higher power envelope, benchmark data reveals it consistently outperforms the newer Intel chip across all tested workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Opteron 6238 wins all multi-core benchmarks. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 4781 versus the Intel Core i5-6500TE's 4255, a delta of -11% for the Intel part.

Q: Does the Intel chip win any benchmark?

A: No. Across all six head-to-head tests, the AMD Opteron 6238 wins every single one. The Intel Core i5-6500TE has zero wins in the comparison data.

Q: How do single-core scores compare?

A: The Opteron 6238 leads in single-core as well, scoring 675 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 600 for the i5-6500TE, a -11.1% delta. The margin is similar across all Cinebench versions.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each CPU?

A: The Intel Core i5-6500TE has an average benchmark score of 1399, while the AMD Opteron 6238 averages 1383. Despite the Opteron winning every head-to-head test, the overall averages are nearly identical.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core i5-6500TE has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD Opteron 6238 has 12 cores and 12 threads. The Opteron has triple the core count.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Opteron 6238 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i5-6500TE does not. This reflects the Opteron's server/workstation positioning.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial. The Intel Core i5-6500TE is built on a 14 nm process node at Intel's foundry, with a die size of 122 mm². In contrast, the AMD Opteron 6238 uses a 32 nm process from GlobalFoundries and features a massive dual-die design measuring 2x 315 mm², totaling 630 mm². The Opteron packs 2,400 million transistors, a figure not available for the Intel part.

Cache hierarchies diverge significantly. The i5-6500TE offers 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with a shared 6 MB L3 cache. The Opteron 6238 provides 768 KB of total L1 cache and 2 MB of L2 cache per module, with 8 MB of L3 cache per die. This gives the AMD chip a larger aggregate cache pool, though organized differently due to its module-based Bulldozer design.

Memory architecture also differs. The Intel chip supports both DDR3 and DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration, offering 34.1 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The AMD Opteron supports only DDR3 but uses a quad-channel configuration, delivering 51.2 GB/s. The Opteron additionally supports ECC memory, a critical feature for server reliability that the Intel desktop part lacks.

PCIe connectivity reflects their respective eras. The i5-6500TE uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Opteron 6238 is limited to PCIe Gen 2. The Intel chip includes integrated HD Graphics 530, whereas the AMD server processor has no integrated graphics. The Opteron also carries a much higher TDP of 115 watts versus the i5-6500TE's efficient 35 watts.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Opteron 6238 sweeps the comparison across all six Cinebench tests, though the margins are surprisingly consistent. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Opteron scores 481 against the Intel's 428, a -11% difference. The single-core R15 test shows a slightly smaller gap: 67 versus 60, a -10.4% delta.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The Opteron achieves 2008 in multi-core versus 1787 for the i5-6500TE, again -11%. In single-core R20, the scores are 283 and 252 respectively, with the same -11% delta. This consistency across different Cinebench versions suggests the performance relationship is stable regardless of workload intensity.

Cinebench R23 results continue the trend. The Opteron's multi-core score of 4781 beats the Intel's 4255 by -11%, while single-core shows 675 versus 600, a -11.1% delta. The near-uniform percentage differences across all tests are notable, indicating that the Opteron's advantage is roughly proportional in both single-threaded and multi-threaded scenarios.

The overall picture is clear: the Opteron 6238 outperforms the i5-6500TE by approximately 11% in every benchmark measured. However, the average benchmark scores tell a slightly different story. The Intel chip averages 1399 across all benchmarks, while the Opteron averages 1383. This suggests that outside of Cinebench, the performance relationship may differ, with the Intel part potentially excelling in other workloads not captured in this head-to-head data.

The Verdict

The data presents an unambiguous performance winner: the AMD Opteron 6238 beats the Intel Core i5-6500TE in every single head-to-head benchmark. For users prioritizing raw Cinebench performance, the Opteron delivers roughly 11% higher scores across the board. Its 12 cores and 12 threads provide substantial multi-threaded capability, and its quad-channel DDR3 memory with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth offers superior memory throughput.

However, the Intel Core i5-6500TE has distinct advantages that the benchmark scores do not capture. Its 35-watt TDP makes it dramatically more power-efficient than the Opteron's 115-watt envelope. It supports newer DDR4 memory and PCIe Gen 3, includes integrated graphics, and features a much smaller physical footprint with its 122 mm² die versus the Opteron's 630 mm² dual-die design. The Intel part also launched four years later with a more modern architecture.

The choice depends heavily on use case. Server and workstation deployments that can tolerate higher power draw and require ECC memory support would favor the Opteron 6238, especially given its superior multi-core scores. Desktop or embedded applications prioritizing efficiency, integrated graphics, and modern connectivity would prefer the i5-6500TE, accepting lower benchmark performance in exchange for these features.

Interestingly, the average benchmark scores place these processors within 1.2% of each other (1399 versus 1383), and both sit in the 36-37th percentile of all CPUs. This suggests that while the Opteron dominates Cinebench specifically, the overall performance picture is far more balanced than the head-to-head results imply.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-6500TE | AMD Opteron 6238 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 4 | 12 |

| Threads | 4 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 2.30 GHz | 2.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 115 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket G34 |

| Architecture | Skylake | Bulldozer |

| Codename | Skylake | Interlagos |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 32 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Die Size | 122 mm² | 2x 315 mm² |

| Transistors | N/A | 2,400 million |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 768 KB |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 2 MB (per module) |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (per die) |

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes | Gen 2 |

| Integrated Graphics | HD Graphics 530 | None |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2015-10-10 | 2011-11-13 |

| Launch MSRP | $192 | $455 |