AMD Opteron 6274 vs AMD Ryzen 5 1400 Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data presents a fascinating generational clash. The AMD Ryzen 5 1400, a 2017 desktop part, and the AMD Opteron 6274, a 2011 server/workstation processor, both occupy the 37th percentile of all CPUs in the database. However, their average benchmark scores tell different stories of performance distribution. The Ryzen 5 1400 posts an average benchmark score of 1410, while the Opteron 6274 trails slightly with 1387, a margin of roughly 1.7 percent based on the nearest rival deltas. This overall similarity masks a clear split in workload types.

For single-threaded and lightly threaded applications, the Ryzen 5 1400 is the unequivocal choice. The data shows a 96.7% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core and a 22.9% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core. This is the processor for everyday desktop tasks, older software, and any workload that cannot utilize many cores. The Ryzen 5 1400 also wins the Cinebench R15 multi-core test by a significant 42.4%, showing that its four cores with simultaneous multithreading (8 threads) are far more efficient than the Opteron's 16 physical cores in that specific benchmark version.

For heavily threaded modern workloads, the Opteron 6274 takes the crown. Its 16 physical cores allow it to pull ahead in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, scoring 4796 against the Ryzen's 3985, a decisive 16.9% victory. The data suggests that the Opteron 6274 should be considered only for specific, highly parallel server-style tasks where its raw core count can be fully exploited. For a general-purpose desktop or workstation, the Ryzen 5 1400 offers superior performance per core, modern platform features, and a clear path for software compatibility. The Opteron 6274 is a niche product for legacy multi-threaded server workloads, while the Ryzen 5 1400 is the more versatile and practical processor for most users.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 is significantly better. It leads by 96.7% in Cinebench R15 single-core (133.75 vs 68) and by 22.9% in Cinebench R23 single-core (832 vs 677).

Q: The Opteron has 16 cores, so does it win all multi-core tests?

A: No. The Ryzen 5 1400 wins the Cinebench R15 multi-core test with a score of 688 versus 483, a 42.4% advantage. The Opteron 6274 only wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, scoring 4796 versus 3985, a 16.9% lead.

Q: Are these processors comparable in overall performance?

A: Yes, the average benchmark scores are very close. The Ryzen 5 1400 has an average score of 1410, and the Opteron 6274 has an average score of 1387. Both sit in the 37th percentile of all CPUs in the database.

Q: What are the main architectural differences between these two CPUs?

A: The Ryzen 5 1400 uses the Zen architecture on a 14 nm process node, while the Opteron 6274 uses the older Bulldozer architecture on a 32 nm process node. The Ryzen has 4 cores and 8 threads, whereas the Opteron has 16 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which processor is more power-efficient?

A: Based on the thermal design power (TDP) data, the Ryzen 5 1400 is far more power-efficient. It has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Opteron 6274 has a TDP of 115 watts, nearly double.

Q: Which platform supports more memory bandwidth?

A: The Opteron 6274 has a higher theoretical memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s thanks to its quad-channel DDR3 memory bus. The Ryzen 5 1400 supports dual-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies from AMD. The Ryzen 5 1400 is built on the Zen architecture, codenamed Summit Ridge, which marked a major shift toward higher instructions per clock (IPC) and efficiency. It uses a 14 nm process node at GlobalFoundries and contains 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die. The Opteron 6274, codenamed Interlagos, is based on the Bulldozer architecture, a modular design that grouped cores into clusters. It uses a 32 nm process node and packs 2,400 million transistors across two dies, each measuring 315 mm².

The cache layouts are completely different. The Ryzen 5 1400 has a per-core L1 cache of 96 KB and a per-core L2 cache of 512 KB, with an 8 MB shared L3 cache. The Opteron 6274 has a shared L1 cache of 768 KB, a per-module L2 cache of 2 MB, and an 8 MB L3 cache per die. This reflects the Bulldozer module concept where two integer cores share certain resources. The Ryzen's design provides more dedicated resources per core, which explains its superior single-threaded performance in the benchmarks.

Memory support also diverges sharply. The Ryzen 5 1400 supports DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus, while the Opteron 6274 supports DDR3 on a quad-channel bus. The Opteron's wider bus gives it a theoretical bandwidth advantage of 51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s, but the Ryzen's DDR4 support offers lower latency and newer technology. The Ryzen 5 1400 also features PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, whereas the Opteron 6274 only has PCIe Gen 2. Both processors support ECC memory, a notable feature for the Ryzen given its desktop market segment.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show a clear generational gap. The Ryzen 5 1400 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Opteron 6274 has 16 cores and 16 threads. The Ryzen operates at a base clock of 3.20 GHz with a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The Opteron has a lower base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.10 GHz. The Ryzen's higher clock speeds, combined with its newer architecture, explain its per-core performance advantage.

Thermal design power is a major differentiator. The Ryzen 5 1400 has a TDP of 65 watts, making it suitable for mainstream desktop systems. The Opteron 6274 has a TDP of 115 watts, reflecting its server heritage and higher core count. The Ryzen uses the AMD Socket AM4 platform, while the Opteron uses the older AMD Socket G34. The Ryzen 5 1400 has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, whereas the Opteron 6274 does not.

The production status also differs. The Ryzen 5 1400 is listed as Active, meaning it is still in production. The Opteron 6274 is marked as End-of-life. Their release dates are far apart: the Ryzen 5 1400 was released on April 10, 2017, while the Opteron 6274 was released on November 13, 2011. The Ryzen 5 1400 is a desktop part, while the Opteron 6274 is a server/workstation part. The launch MSRP for the Ryzen 5 1400 was $169, and for the Opteron 6274 it was $639. The Ryzen 5 1400 supports DDR4 memory, while the Opteron 6274 supports DDR3.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results reveal a split personality. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the Ryzen 5 1400 scores 688 against the Opteron's 483, a 42.4% victory. This is a remarkable result given the Opteron's 16 cores versus the Ryzen's 4 cores. It suggests that the Cinebench R15 workload favored the Ryzen's higher IPC and thread efficiency. The Ryzen's 8 threads, though fewer, were able to outpace the Opteron's 16 threads in this older benchmark version.

The single-core results are even more lopsided. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Ryzen 5 1400 scores 133.75 versus the Opteron's 68, a staggering 96.7% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ryzen scores 832 versus 677, a 22.9% advantage. These numbers quantify the massive IPC improvements AMD achieved with the Zen architecture compared to the older Bulldozer design. For any task that relies on a single thread, the Ryzen 5 1400 is nearly twice as fast in the R15 test and significantly faster in the R23 test.

The Opteron 6274 manages a single win in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test. It scores 4796 against the Ryzen's 3985, a 16.9% margin. This shows that in a modern, heavily threaded benchmark, the Opteron's raw core count can overcome the Ryzen's architectural efficiency. The 16 physical cores, when fully utilized by a workload that scales well, provide a genuine advantage. However, this is the only test where the Opteron wins, and it comes in a benchmark released years after the Opteron's prime.

The overall benchmark score averages align with this mixed picture. The Ryzen 5 1400 has an average benchmark score of 1410, placing it near the Intel Core i5-4460 and AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314, both with scores of 1415 and a delta of -0.3%. The Opteron 6274's average score is 1387, close to the Intel Core i3-9100TE (1386, delta 0.1%) and the AMD Opteron 6238 (1383, delta 0.3%). Both processors sit at the 37th percentile of all CPUs, but the Ryzen 5 1400 achieves this with fewer cores and a much lower TDP, making it the more sensible choice for most users. The Opteron 6274 remains relevant only for specific legacy multi-threaded server applications.