AMD Opteron 6274 vs Intel Core i5-4460 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4460 and the AMD Opteron 6274 represent two very different approaches to computing, one from the desktop segment and one from the server/workstation segment. Despite their different origins, the recorded data places them at the same overall performance percentile (37th for both), making for a close and interesting comparison. The benchmark results show a clear, consistent winner across all recorded tests, but the underlying architecture tells a story of divergent design philosophies.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Opteron 6274 wins all six recorded head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The margins are remarkably consistent, hovering around 12.7% to 13.2% in favor of the Opteron. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the Opteron scores 483 against the Core i5-4460's 421, a delta of -12.8% from the Intel processor's perspective. The single-core R15 test shows a similar story, with the Opteron at 68 and the Intel at 59, a -13.2% difference.

The pattern continues across newer Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Opteron 6274 scores 2014, while the Core i5-4460 manages 1758, representing a -12.7% delta. The single-core R20 results mirror this: 284 for the Opteron versus 248 for the Intel, again a -12.7% delta. The most recent test, Cinebench R23, reinforces the trend. The Opteron posts a multi-core score of 4796, with the Intel at 4188, and a single-core score of 677 versus 591, both showing a -12.7% delta.

The consistency of these results is notable. The Opteron's lead is not a function of a specific workload type or test version; it is a systematic advantage across all rendering benchmarks recorded. This suggests a fundamental performance edge, not a niche strength. The Intel processor does not win a single recorded benchmark, with winsA at 0 and winsB at 6. The average benchmark score also reflects this, with the Intel at 1415 and the Opteron at 1387, though this puts the Intel slightly ahead in the aggregate due to its Geekbench scores, which are not present in the head-to-head list. The Intel Core i5-4460 has a Geekbench multi-core score of 3035 and a single-core score of 1018, while the Opteron has no recorded Geekbench scores, which skews the average comparison.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures and design goals. The Intel Core i5-4460 uses the Haswell architecture, built on a 22 nm process by Intel, with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. It has 4 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. Its cache layout is straightforward: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

The AMD Opteron 6274, codenamed Interlagos, uses the Bulldozer architecture, built on a 32 nm process by GlobalFoundries. It packs 2,400 million transistors across two 315 mm² dies, for a total of 16 cores and 16 threads. Its base clock is 2.20 GHz with a boost clock of 3.10 GHz. The cache hierarchy is more complex, reflecting its server heritage: 768 KB of shared L1 cache, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 8 MB of L3 per die.

The memory subsystems differ significantly. The Intel chip supports DDR3 memory over a dual-channel bus, providing 25.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The Opteron supports DDR3 over a quad-channel bus, more than doubling bandwidth to 51.2 GB/s. The Opteron also supports ECC memory, which the Intel Core i5-4460 does not. PCIe support differs as well, with the Intel offering Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Opteron only supports Gen 2. The Intel processor includes integrated graphics in the form of Intel HD 4600, while the Opteron has no integrated graphics at all, as is typical for server processors.

The market segments are clear from the specifications. The Intel chip is a desktop processor with a TDP of 84 watts, while the Opteron is a server/workstation part with a TDP of 115 watts. The Opteron's higher core count, larger cache pool, and ECC support point to workloads involving heavy multi-threading and data integrity, while the Intel chip's higher clocks and integrated graphics target consumer workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Opteron 6274 has 16 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core i5-4460 has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Is the AMD Opteron 6274 faster in every recorded benchmark?

A: Yes, the Opteron 6274 wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with deltas ranging from -12.7% to -13.2% in favor of the Opteron across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The AMD Opteron 6274 supports quad-channel DDR3 memory with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Intel Core i5-4460 supports dual-channel DDR3 with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-4460 have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics. The AMD Opteron 6274 has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Opteron 6274 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-4460 does not.

Q: What is the process node difference?

A: The Intel Core i5-4460 is built on a 22 nm process, while the AMD Opteron 6274 is built on a 32 nm process.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the AMD Opteron 6274 is the stronger performer in rendering workloads, consistently beating the Intel Core i5-4460 by about 12.7% to 13.2% across all recorded Cinebench tests. This is a clean sweep, with no recorded test where the Intel processor comes out ahead. The Opteron's advantage in multi-threaded tasks is directly supported by its 16 cores versus 4, and its higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s further reinforces its suitability for data-intensive work.

However, the choice depends on platform requirements. The Intel Core i5-4460 offers integrated graphics, a lower TDP of 84 watts versus 115, and a more recent release date of May 2014 versus November 2011. It also uses the Intel Socket 1150, a mainstream desktop platform. The Opteron 6274 uses the AMD Socket G34 and is aimed at server and workstation environments, where its ECC memory support and quad-channel bandwidth are critical features.

For users building a system around a desktop socket with integrated graphics, the Intel Core i5-4460 is the only option of the two, despite its lower benchmark scores. For those assembling a server or workstation that can leverage 16 cores, high memory bandwidth, and ECC memory, the AMD Opteron 6274 is the clear choice, backed by superior rendering performance in every recorded test. The overall percentile ranking of 37 for both processors suggests they are evenly matched in the broader database, but the head-to-head data gives the edge to the Opteron for compute-heavy tasks.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-4460 | AMD Opteron 6274 |

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

| Cores | 4 | 16 |

| Threads | 4 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.40 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| TDP | 84 W | 115 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | AMD Socket G34 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Bulldozer |

| Codename | Haswell | Interlagos |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 32 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 2,400 million |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 2x 315 mm² |

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

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

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

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 2 |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | None |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2014-05-10 | 2011-11-13 |

| Launch MSRP | $187 | $639 |

| Part Number | SR1QK | OS6274WKTGGGU |