AMD Opteron 6276 vs AMD Opteron 6282 SE Comparison
AMD Opteron 6276
Opteron 6282 SE
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: AMD Opteron 6276 vs AMD Opteron 6282 SE
The AMD Opteron 6282 SE and AMD Opteron 6276 are two nearly identical 16-core server processors from the same Interlagos generation, sharing the same Bulldozer architecture, socket, and memory configuration. The data shows the 6282 SE holds a consistent, though narrow, performance edge across every benchmark recorded, while the 6276 counters with a significantly lower thermal design power. This analysis breaks down the specific benchmark results, architecture details, and practical implications for server deployment.
Where Each One Wins
The performance split is unambiguous: the AMD Opteron 6282 SE wins all six recorded head-to-head benchmarks, with no wins for the AMD Opteron 6276. The 6282 SE’s advantage is most pronounced in single-core workloads, where it leads by 1.3% in Cinebench R15 single-core (77 vs. 76) and by 0.7% in Cinebench R23 single-core (766 vs. 761). In multi-core tests, the margin tightens to a consistent 0.6% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, with scores like 546 vs. 543, 2279 vs. 2265, and 5427 vs. 5395 respectively.
The 6276’s win condition is not performance but power efficiency. Its TDP is 115 watts compared to the 6282 SE’s 140 watts — a 25-watt difference that does not appear in any benchmark score. For a server chassis with dense population or limited cooling capacity, the 6276 could be the better choice despite losing every compute test. The 6282 SE also commands a higher launch MSRP of $1019 versus $788 for the 6276, but that price differential is separate from the performance data.
Architecture Differences
Both processors are built on AMD’s Bulldozer architecture with the Interlagos codename, fabricated on a 32 nm process node. They share identical transistor counts of 2,400 million and the same die size of 2x 315 mm². The cache hierarchy is also identical: 768 KB of L1 cache, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 8 MB of L3 per die. Memory support matches as well, with quad-channel DDR3 and a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, plus ECC memory support and PCIe Gen 2 connectivity.
The core and thread counts are the same — 16 cores and 16 threads each — but the clocks differ. The 6282 SE has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz, while the 6276 runs at 2.30 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost. That 300 MHz base clock advantage and 100 MHz boost advantage for the 6282 SE directly explains its benchmark superiority. Both processors use the AMD Socket G34, have no integrated graphics, and are marked as end-of-life production. The 6276 is explicitly listed with GlobalFoundries as its foundry, while the 6282 SE’s foundry is not specified in the data.
The 6282 SE’s part number is OS6282YETGGGU, and the 6276’s is OS6276WKTGGGU. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not a consideration. Both are classified as Server/Workstation market segments and were released on the same date: 2011-11-13.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The six recorded benchmarks show a remarkably consistent pattern. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 6282 SE scores 546 against 543 for the 6276, a 0.6% delta. The single-core R15 test shows the largest relative gap: 77 vs. 76, a 1.3% difference. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core result is 2279 vs. 2265 (0.6% delta), and single-core is 321 vs. 319 (0.6% delta). Cinebench R23 multi-core comes in at 5427 vs. 5395 (0.6% delta), and single-core at 766 vs. 761 (0.7% delta).
These deltas are small in absolute terms but uniform in direction. The 6282 SE never loses a test, and the single-core R15 result stands out as the only test exceeding a 1% margin. The average benchmark score for the 6282 SE is 1569, compared to 1560 for the 6276, a 0.6% difference that mirrors the head-to-head results. Both processors sit at the 39th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are not outliers but rather mid-pack performers in the broader benchmark database.
The nearest rivals for the 6282 SE include the Intel Core i3-8300 (average score 1564, 0.3% delta), Intel Core i5-6600T (1563, 0.4% delta), AMD Ryzen 3 1300X (1562, 0.5% delta), and the AMD Opteron 6276 itself (1560, 0.6% delta). For the 6276, the nearest rivals are the Intel Core i3-1115G4E (1559, 0.1% delta), AMD Ryzen 3 1300X (1562, -0.1% delta), AMD FX-8350 (1557, 0.2% delta), and Intel Xeon E3-1268L v5 (1557, 0.2% delta). These rival comparisons show that both Opteron parts are clustered within a narrow band of performance around scores of 1557–1564, making the 6282 SE’s edge over the 6276 roughly equivalent to the difference between neighboring consumer desktop processors.
The Verdict
The data supports a clear but narrow verdict: the AMD Opteron 6282 SE is the faster processor in every measured workload. For applications that are purely performance-sensitive — rendering, simulation, or multi-threaded server tasks — the 6282 SE provides a consistent 0.6% to 1.3% advantage across all Cinebench versions. That margin is small, but it is uniform and never reversed. The 6282 SE’s higher base clock of 2.60 GHz versus 2.30 GHz and boost clock of 3.30 GHz versus 3.20 GHz are the only architectural differences that explain this outcome, as all other specifications are identical.
The AMD Opteron 6276, however, is not without a rationale. Its 115-watt TDP compared to 140 watts for the 6282 SE represents a 21% reduction in thermal envelope, which could enable denser server configurations or lower cooling costs. For a workload where the 0.6% performance delta is irrelevant — such as I/O-bound database serving or network workloads — the 6276’s lower power draw and lower launch MSRP of $788 versus $1019 make it the more practical deployment choice. Neither processor is suitable for single-threaded tasks requiring modern IPC, as their single-core scores of 77 and 76 in Cinebench R15 are far below contemporary desktop parts.
The final selection depends on whether the priority is maximum compute throughput or thermal efficiency. The 6282 SE wins on performance, the 6276 wins on power consumption. Both are end-of-life parts, so availability and platform maturity should be considered alongside the benchmark data.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?
A: The AMD Opteron 6282 SE has an average benchmark score of 1569, while the AMD Opteron 6276 scores 1560, a difference of 0.6%.
Q: Are the two processors architecturally different?
A: No, both use the same Bulldozer architecture with the Interlagos codename, 32 nm process node, 2,400 million transistors, and identical cache sizes (768 KB L1, 2 MB L2 per module, 8 MB L3 per die).
Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two in any benchmark?
A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the 6282 SE scores 77 versus 76 for the 6276, a 1.3% delta. All other deltas are 0.6% or 0.7%.
Q: How do their TDP ratings compare?
A: The 6282 SE has a TDP of 140 watts, while the 6276 has a TDP of 115 watts — a 25-watt difference in favor of the 6276 for lower power consumption.
Q: Do both processors support the same memory configuration?
A: Yes, both support quad-channel DDR3 with ECC, 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth, and use the AMD Socket G34.
Q: What is the 6282 SE’s nearest rival in the benchmark database?
A: The Intel Core i3-8300 is the nearest rival with an average score of 1564 and a delta of 0.3% from the 6282 SE’s 1569. The 6276 itself is the fourth nearest rival at 1560 with a 0.6% delta.