AMD Opteron 6274 vs Intel Core i7-2600 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Opteron 6274 has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i7-2600 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Opteron offers four times the core count and double the thread count on paper.

Q: What are the base and boost clock speeds of each chip?

A: The AMD Opteron 6274 runs at a base clock of 2.20 GHz and boosts to 3.10 GHz. The Intel Core i7-2600 starts at 3.40 GHz and boosts to 3.80 GHz, meaning the Intel part has a higher clock speed at both ends.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Opteron 6274 scores 4796 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Core i7-2600 scores 4519. The Opteron leads by 6.1% in this test, a consistent margin seen across the Cinebench suite.

Q: Which chip has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Opteron 6274 has an average benchmark score of 1387, and the Intel Core i7-2600 has an average of 1370. The Opteron sits at the 37th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core i7 sits at the 36th percentile.

Q: What memory channels does each processor support?

A: The AMD Opteron 6274 supports quad-channel DDR3 memory with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Intel Core i7-2600 supports dual-channel DDR3 memory, and its memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-2600 have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i7-2600 includes Intel HD 2000 integrated graphics. The AMD Opteron 6274 has no integrated graphics, which is typical for its server/workstation market segment.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Opteron 6274 is built on the Bulldozer architecture, codenamed Interlagos, and belongs to the Opteron 6000 series. It is manufactured on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries, with a die size of 2x 315 mm² and 2,400 million transistors. The Intel Core i7-2600 uses the Sandy Bridge architecture, also on a 32 nm process, but fabricated by Intel with a die size of 216 mm² and 1,160 million transistors.

The cache layouts differ substantially. The Opteron 6274 has 768 KB of shared L1 cache, 2 MB of L2 cache per module, and 8 MB of L3 cache per die. The Core i7-2600 has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, plus 8 MB of shared L3 cache. This reflects the server-oriented module design of Bulldozer versus the traditional per-core layout of Sandy Bridge.

Memory support also separates the two. The Opteron uses quad-channel DDR3 with a recorded bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s and supports ECC memory. The Core i7 uses dual-channel DDR3 and does not support ECC. PCIe generation differs as well: the Opteron uses Gen 2, while the Core i7 uses Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Opteron also lacks integrated graphics, whereas the Core i7 includes Intel HD 2000.

The market segments are distinct. The Opteron is a server/workstation part on AMD Socket G34, while the Core i7 is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1155. Both are end-of-life products, with the Opteron released in November 2011 and the Core i7 released in January 2011. The Opteron carries a launch MSRP of $639; the Core i7 has no recorded launch MSRP. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows the AMD Opteron 6274 wins every head-to-head benchmark in the database. Across six Cinebench tests, the Opteron leads by margins ranging from 6.1% to 6.4%. It wins both multi-core and single-core tests, which is notable given the Core i7's higher clock speeds. The Opteron's 16 cores provide enough parallel throughput to overcome the clock disadvantage, and its single-core results also edge ahead despite the lower boost clock.

The Intel Core i7-2600 should be chosen by users who need a desktop processor with integrated graphics and a smaller physical footprint. It has a lower TDP of 95 watts compared to the Opteron's 115 watts, and it uses a mainstream socket with dual-channel memory. However, the benchmark data does not give it a single win over the Opteron.

The AMD Opteron 6274 is the better choice for multi-threaded server or workstation workloads, where its 16 cores and quad-channel memory with ECC support provide clear advantages. The data suggests that for raw Cinebench performance, the Opteron is uniformly ahead. Users who prioritize single-thread speed might expect the Core i7 to win given its higher clocks, but the measurements show otherwise.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The Opteron has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the Core i7 has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 2.20 GHz versus 3.40 GHz, and boost clocks are 3.10 GHz versus 3.80 GHz, favoring Intel. TDP is 115 watts for the Opteron and 95 watts for the Core i7.

Sockets are incompatible: AMD Socket G34 versus Intel Socket 1155. The architecture names differ (Bulldozer versus Sandy Bridge), as do the codenames (Interlagos versus Sandy Bridge). The foundry is GlobalFoundries for AMD and Intel for the Core i7. Transistor counts are 2,400 million versus 1,160 million, and die sizes are 2x 315 mm² versus 216 mm².

Cache structures are entirely different: the Opteron has 768 KB shared L1, 2 MB L2 per module, and 8 MB L3 per die, while the Core i7 has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. Memory channels are quad-channel versus dual-channel, and the Opteron supports ECC while the Core i7 does not. PCIe is Gen 2 for the Opteron and Gen 3 with 16 lanes for the Core i7. The Opteron has no integrated graphics; the Core i7 has Intel HD 2000. Market segments are server/workstation versus desktop. The Opteron has a launch MSRP of $639; the Core i7 has none recorded. Part numbers are OS6274WKTGGGU for AMD and SR00B for Intel.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data covers six Cinebench tests, and the AMD Opteron 6274 wins all six. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Opteron scores 483 against 455 for the Core i7, a 6.2% lead. In R15 single-core, the Opteron scores 68 against 64, a 6.3% lead. The pattern continues in R20: the Opteron scores 2014 versus 1897 in multi-core (6.2% ahead) and 284 versus 267 in single-core (6.4% ahead).

In Cinebench R23, the Opteron scores 4796 versus 4519 in multi-core, a 6.1% advantage, and 677 versus 638 in single-core, also 6.1% ahead. The consistency of the margins is striking: every delta falls between 6.1% and 6.4%. No test shows a Core i7 victory, and the wins tally is 6 for the Opteron and 0 for the Core i7.

The average benchmark scores reinforce this. The Opteron averages 1387, while the Core i7 averages 1370. The Opteron's nearest rival is the Intel Core i3-9100TE with an average score of 1386 (0.1% difference), followed by the AMD Opteron 6238 at 1383 (0.3%), the Intel Core i7-3615QE at 1381 (0.5%), and the AMD Opteron 6366 HE at 1379 (0.6%). The Core i7's nearest rival is the AMD Opteron 6376 at 1370 (0% difference), then the Intel Xeon E5-1410 v2 at 1368 (0.1%), the Intel Xeon D-1521 at 1367 (0.2%), and the Intel Core i7-3820QM at 1366 (0.3%).

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 6274 wins in every measured benchmark category. Its strengths lie in multi-threaded workloads, where 16 cores provide substantial parallel processing capability. The quad-channel memory bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support make it suitable for server environments that require memory reliability and high throughput. The Opteron also wins in single-core Cinebench tests, which is unexpected given the Core i7's higher clock speeds, but the recorded data shows a consistent 6.1% to 6.4% advantage in those tests as well.

The Intel Core i7-2600 does not win any head-to-head benchmark in the database. Its advantages are structural rather than performance-based: a lower TDP of 95 watts, integrated Intel HD 2000 graphics, and a smaller die size of 216 mm². It uses dual-channel memory, which is simpler and less expensive to implement in a desktop motherboard. The Gen 3 PCIe with 16 lanes provides a newer I/O interface than the Opteron's Gen 2.

For use-case selection, the data points to the Opteron for any workload measured in Cinebench. The Core i7 remains viable for desktop builds where integrated graphics are required and where the lower power draw is desirable. The Opteron's launch MSRP of $639 also indicates a different market positioning, though pricing is not part of the performance analysis. The overall record is clear: 6 wins for AMD, 0 for Intel, with no benchmark in the database favoring the Core i7.