CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i5-6500TE and the AMD Opteron 6274 occupy opposite ends of the hardware spectrum, yet benchmark results place them nearly level in overall performance. The data shows the AMD Opteron 6274 winning all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, while the Intel chip counters with superior platform efficiency, a smaller process node, and a far lower power envelope. This creates a split decision that depends entirely on whether the priority is raw compute throughput or operational economy.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 6274 is the clear winner in every benchmark category where the two are directly compared. Its advantage spans both multicore and single-core workloads, which is unexpected given its older architecture. The Opteron’s wins are consistent across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, with margins hovering around 11% in every test. For users running heavily threaded applications, the Opteron’s 16 cores provide a decisive edge over the i5-6500TE’s four cores, translating directly to higher render scores and faster batch processing.

The Intel Core i5-6500TE’s wins are not measured in benchmark scores but in platform characteristics. It carries a 35 W TDP versus the Opteron’s 115 W, making it substantially more suitable for compact, power-constrained systems. The i5-6500TE also supports DDR4 memory alongside DDR3, while the Opteron is limited to DDR3. Intel’s chip includes integrated HD Graphics 530, eliminating the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems, whereas the Opteron has no integrated graphics at all. These differences favor the i5-6500TE for desktop and embedded-style workloads where power draw and component count matter more than peak compute.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-6500TE uses the Skylake architecture on a 14 nm process from Intel’s own foundry. It has four cores and four threads, with a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. Its cache hierarchy is per-core: 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, plus 6 MB of shared L3. The die size is 122 mm², and it fits the Intel Socket 1151.

The AMD Opteron 6274 is a Bulldozer-based server part, codenamed Interlagos, manufactured by GlobalFoundries on a 32 nm process. It packs 16 cores and 16 threads, running at a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.10 GHz. Its cache layout is entirely different: 768 KB of shared L1, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 8 MB of L3 per die. The chip is built from two dies of 315 mm² each, totaling 2,400 million transistors. It uses the AMD Socket G34 and supports quad-channel DDR3 memory with ECC, features aimed squarely at server deployments.

The manufacturing gap is stark: 14 nm versus 32 nm. That difference explains the Intel chip’s dramatically lower TDP and smaller die area. The Opteron’s transistor count is listed while the i5-6500TE’s is not, but the physical size difference (122 mm² versus 2x 315 mm²) tells the story of how much more silicon the AMD part requires to deliver its core count.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is unambiguous. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Opteron scores 483 against the i5-6500TE’s 428, a delta of -11.4% from Intel’s perspective. The single-core R15 test shows the same pattern: 68 versus 60, a -11.8% gap. These margins persist in newer workloads. Cinebench R20 multicore gives the Opteron 2014 points versus 1787 for Intel, -11.3%. The R20 single-core result is 284 versus 252, again -11.3%.

Cinebench R23 follows the same trajectory. The Opteron reaches 4796 in multicore while the i5-6500TE manages 4255, a -11.3% delta. Single-core R23 shows 677 versus 600, -11.4%. Across all six tests, the AMD part leads by roughly 11%, with no single workload narrowing or widening that margin significantly. The consistency of the delta suggests a fundamental per-clock efficiency advantage for AMD in these specific rendering tasks, despite the Intel chip’s newer architecture and higher boost clock.

Notably, the i5-6500TE has Geekbench scores in its benchmark list, 2749 multicore and 1062 single-core, while the Opteron has no Geekbench entries in the data. That absence prevents a direct comparison on that platform, leaving Cinebench as the sole common metric.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Opteron 6274 has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-6500TE has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Does the Intel chip have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the i5-6500TE includes HD Graphics 530. The AMD Opteron 6274 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What memory types does each support?

A: The i5-6500TE supports DDR3 and DDR4 with dual-channel memory, while the Opteron 6274 supports only DDR3 with quad-channel memory.

Q: How do their power draws compare?

A: The i5-6500TE has a TDP of 35 W, whereas the Opteron 6274 has a TDP of 115 W.

Q: Which chip wins in single-core performance?

A: The AMD Opteron 6274 wins in every single-core Cinebench test, with scores of 68 in R15, 284 in R20, and 677 in R23, compared to the i5-6500TE’s 60, 252, and 600 respectively.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No, both are listed as end-of-life products. The i5-6500TE was released in October 2015, and the Opteron 6274 in November 2011.

The Verdict

The data points to a simple conclusion for compute-bound workloads: the AMD Opteron 6274 is the faster processor. It leads the i5-6500TE by approximately 11% in every Cinebench test, both single-core and multicore. Its 16 cores give it a decisive advantage in rendering and other heavily threaded tasks, and that advantage holds even against Intel’s newer Skylake core design.

However, the i5-6500TE is not without its own case. Its 35 W TDP is less than a third of the Opteron’s 115 W, making it far more practical for systems where heat dissipation and power consumption are limiting factors. The inclusion of integrated graphics removes the need for a separate GPU, and DDR4 support future-proofs memory upgrades. For a desktop user who values efficiency, quiet operation, and a simple build, the i5-6500TE is the logical pick.

The Opteron 6274, by contrast, belongs in a server rack. Its ECC memory support, quad-channel bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, and 16-core layout are tailored for reliability and throughput in sustained workloads. The i5-6500TE’s dual-channel bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s and lack of ECC make it unsuitable for mission-critical server roles. Users who need maximum compute density should choose the Opteron; users who need a low-power, all-in-one desktop chip should choose the i5-6500TE.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-6500TE | AMD Opteron 6274 |

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

| Cores | 4 | 16 |

| Threads | 4 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.30 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.10 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 | Not listed | 2,400 million |

| 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 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 (CPU only) | Gen 2 |

| Integrated Graphics | HD Graphics 530 | None |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

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

| Launch MSRP | $192 | $639 |

| Part Number | SR2LR | OS6274WKTGGGU |