AMD Opteron 6274 vs Intel Core i7-3740QM Comparison

# Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the AMD Opteron 6274 and Intel Core i7-3740QM is strikingly one-sided. Across all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, the Intel Core i7-3740QM claims victory, though the margins are remarkably narrow. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-3740QM scores 489 against the Opteron's 483, a delta of -1.2% from the Opteron's perspective. The single-core R15 result shows a similar pattern: 69 versus 68, a -1.4% gap.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the Intel part extends its lead slightly. The multi-core test shows 2040 versus 2014, a -1.3% difference, while single-core lands at 288 versus 284, again -1.4%. Cinebench R23 maintains this consistent trend: 4859 against 4796 in multi-core (-1.3%) and 686 versus 677 in single-core (-1.3%).

What makes these results particularly notable is the hardware disparity. The Opteron 6274 packs 16 cores and 16 threads with a base clock of 2.20 GHz and boost up to 3.10 GHz. The i7-3740QM counters with just 4 cores and 8 threads, yet runs at a higher 2.70 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. Despite a 4x core-count advantage for the AMD part, the Intel chip wins every multi-core test by roughly 1-1.5%. The single-core results are even more telling: the i7-3740QM's higher clock speeds translate directly into a narrow but consistent edge.

The wider benchmark picture reinforces this narrative. The Opteron 6274 achieves an average benchmark score of 1387, while the i7-3740QM sits at 1378. Their percentile rankings are close as well: 37th percentile for the Opteron versus 36th for the Intel part. The nearest rivals for each processor underscore how evenly matched they are overall — the Opteron's closest competitor is the Intel Core i3-9100TE at 1386 (0.1% delta), while the i7-3740QM's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 at 1379 (0% delta). This suggests that while the head-to-head Cinebench sweep favors Intel, the aggregate performance across a broader benchmark suite places them nearly on par.

# Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Opteron 6274 belongs to the Opteron 6000 series, built on the Bulldozer architecture with the codename Interlagos. It uses a 32 nm process from GlobalFoundries, containing 2,400 million transistors across a dual-die design measuring 2x 315 mm². The Intel Core i7-3740QM uses the Ivy Bridge architecture on Intel's 22 nm process, with 1,400 million transistors on a single 160 mm² die. The process node advantage gives Intel a smaller, more power-efficient chip.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The Opteron 6274 has 768 KB of shared L1 cache, 2 MB per module of L2, and 8 MB of L3 per die. The i7-3740QM provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. The Opteron's modular cache design reflects its server orientation, while the Intel part's per-core allocation suits its mobile target.

Memory support sets them apart as well. The Opteron 6274 uses quad-channel DDR3 with a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s and supports ECC memory — critical for server workloads. The i7-3740QM uses dual-channel DDR3 without ECC support and has no listed memory bandwidth figure. The Opteron also features PCIe Gen 2 connectivity, while the Intel part's PCIe support is not specified in the data.

Integrated graphics is a major differentiator. The i7-3740QM includes Intel HD 4000 graphics, whereas the Opteron 6274 has no integrated graphics at all — a reflection of its server/workstation segment. The Opteron targets the server market with its AMD Socket G34, while the i7-3740QM is a mobile part on Intel BGA 1224.

Power consumption reveals the design gulf: the Opteron 6274 draws 115 W TDP versus just 45 W for the i7-3740QM. This nearly 3x difference in thermal envelope makes the Intel part far more suitable for laptops, while the AMD chip demands robust server cooling. The Opteron launched on 2011-11-13 with a launch MSRP of $639, while the i7-3740QM arrived on 2012-09-02 with no listed launch price.

# Where Each One Wins

The data shows the Intel Core i7-3740QM winning all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, but the context of those wins matters. In multi-threaded workloads, the i7-3740QM's 4 cores with 8 threads outperform the Opteron's 16 cores by roughly 1.2-1.3% across R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. This is a remarkable result — the Intel part handles heavy parallel rendering tasks despite a quarter of the core count. The likely explanation lies in its higher clock speeds (3.70 GHz boost versus 3.10 GHz) and more efficient Ivy Bridge architecture.

Single-core performance is where the i7-3740QM's advantage is most consistent, with a -1.4% delta across all three Cinebench single-core tests. This translates to real-world benefits for lightly-threaded applications like legacy software, certain database queries, and general desktop responsiveness. The Opteron's single-core scores of 68 (R15), 284 (R20), and 677 (R23) are within 1-2% of the Intel part's 69, 288, and 686, but the Intel chip takes the win every time.

The Opteron 6274 does not win a single head-to-head benchmark in this dataset. However, its strengths appear in the broader context. The Opteron's 16 cores and 16 threads with ECC memory support and quad-channel bandwidth position it for server workloads that require high memory throughput and data integrity — areas not captured by Cinebench's rendering-focused tests. Its 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth is more than double what the i7-3740QM's dual-channel setup can theoretically provide, though the Intel part's bandwidth is not listed.

For users prioritizing Cinebench-style rendering performance, the i7-3740QM is the clear choice. For deployments requiring ECC memory, massive core counts, or server-grade reliability, the Opteron 6274 offers capabilities the Intel mobile part simply lacks. The i7-3740QM's integrated HD 4000 graphics also give it an edge for systems without discrete GPUs, while the Opteron demands external graphics hardware.

# FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Core i7-3740QM wins all three multi-core tests. It scores 489 versus 483 in R15 (-1.2%), 2040 versus 2014 in R20 (-1.3%), and 4859 versus 4796 in R23 (-1.3%) against the AMD Opteron 6274.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The AMD Opteron 6274 has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i7-3740QM has 4 cores and 8 threads. Despite having 4x the cores, the Opteron loses every multi-core benchmark in this comparison.

Q: Does the Opteron support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the AMD Opteron 6274 supports ECC memory with quad-channel DDR3 and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i7-3740QM does not support ECC and uses dual-channel DDR3.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The AMD Opteron 6274 has a 115 W TDP, while the Intel Core i7-3740QM has a 45 W TDP. This makes the Intel part significantly more power-efficient for mobile use.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i7-3740QM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 4000). The AMD Opteron 6274 has no integrated graphics at all, consistent with its server/workstation segment.

Q: How close are their average benchmark scores?

A: The AMD Opteron 6274 has an average benchmark score of 1387, while the Intel Core i7-3740QM scores 1378. Their percentile rankings are 37 and 36, respectively, showing near-parity in overall performance.

# The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear picture: the Intel Core i7-3740QM is the superior processor for Cinebench workloads, winning all six head-to-head tests. Its margins are narrow — never exceeding 1.4% — but consistent across single-core and multi-core benchmarks. This is a remarkable achievement given that the Intel chip uses only 4 cores and 8 threads against the Opteron's 16 cores, and it does so while consuming 45 W versus 115 W.

The Opteron 6274's case rests on features outside Cinebench's scope. Its ECC memory support, quad-channel bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, and 16-core design make it a legitimate server processor, even if its rendering performance lags slightly behind a mobile chip. Its 2,400 million transistors and dual-die design on 32 nm indicate a heavyweight server part, whereas the i7-3740QM's 1,400 million transistors on 22 nm show a more modern, efficient design.

Who should pick which? Data centers requiring ECC memory, massive parallelism, and server-grade reliability should consider the Opteron 6274, though its 115 W TDP and end-of-life production status warrant caution. Mobile users or anyone running Cinebench-style rendering tasks should choose the i7-3740QM, which wins every benchmark while consuming a fraction of the power. The i7-3740QM also offers integrated HD 4000 graphics, eliminating the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems — something the Opteron cannot provide.

The aggregate metrics reinforce this split decision. The Opteron's average benchmark score of 1387 barely edges out the i7-3740QM's 1378, and both sit within 0.1% of their nearest rivals. This suggests that for general-purpose computing, the two are functionally equivalent. But for specific workloads, the i7-3740QM's consistent Cinebench victories and vastly superior power efficiency make it the more practical choice for most users. The Opteron 6274 remains relevant only in niche server deployments where its ECC support and memory bandwidth outweigh its benchmark deficits.