AMD Opteron 6281 vs Intel Core i5-5675C Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive sweep for the AMD Opteron 6281 across every Cinebench workload in the comparison. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Opteron scores 623 against the Intel Core i5-5675C's 495, a 25.9% advantage. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern: 87 versus 69, a 26.1% lead for AMD. This is not a narrow win; the margin is consistent and substantial in both threaded and single-threaded tests.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the Opteron 6281 again takes multi-core with 2598 points versus 2063, a 25.9% delta. The single-core R20 result shows 366 against 291, a 25.8% difference. The pattern holds in Cinebench R23, where the Opteron posts 6187 multi-core points against 4912, a 26% advantage, and 873 single-core points versus 693, again a 26% lead. Across all six head-to-head tests, the AMD part wins by margins ranging from 25.8% to 26.1%. The Intel processor records zero wins in this direct comparison.

The average benchmark score in the database places the Opteron 6281 at 1789, slightly above the Core i5-5675C's 1759. The Opteron sits at the 42nd percentile of all CPUs tracked, while the Intel part sits at the 41st percentile. These are nearly identical overall positions, yet the direct Cinebench comparison shows a consistent gap in favor of AMD. The explanation lies in the benchmark suite: the Intel chip has an additional Geekbench result (4159 multi-core, 1388 single-core) included in its average, while the Opteron's average is built solely from Cinebench scores. That extra data point pulls the Intel average closer to parity, masking the head-to-head sweep.

Rival comparisons in the database reinforce the Opteron's standing. Its nearest rival by average score is the AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE at 1787, a mere 0.1% difference. The Intel Xeon E5-1620 v4 sits at 1802, 0.7% above the Opteron, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 (1778) and Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 (1777) trail by 0.6% and 0.7% respectively. For the Core i5-5675C, the nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE at 1766, 0.4% ahead, followed by the Intel Xeon E-2224 at 1762, 0.2% ahead. The Intel Xeon E3-1241 v3 and Core i7-4790T both sit at 1756 and 1755, trailing by 0.2% each. These narrow deltas indicate both CPUs land in a crowded mid-pack, but the direct head-to-head tells a different story than the aggregate scores.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Opteron 6281 wins every single measured comparison in the head-to-head suite. If the selection criterion is Cinebench performance, the Opteron 6281 is the correct choice. It leads by roughly 26% in every test, whether multi-core or single-core. There is no scenario in the recorded data where the Intel Core i5-5675C comes out ahead.

However, the database context suggests a more nuanced reading. The Opteron's average score of 1789 and the Intel's 1759 place them within 1.7% of each other, and their percentiles (42nd versus 41st) are effectively tied. This means the Opteron's advantage is specific to the Cinebench workload, not a universal superiority. The Intel part has a Geekbench result that the Opteron lacks, and that result (4159 multi-core, 1388 single-core) contributes to its average. If the workload involves Geekbench-style tests, the Intel part has recorded data to show, while the Opteron has none.

For a server or workstation role, the Opteron 6281 brings 16 cores and 16 threads, quad-channel DDR3 memory with ECC support, and a 130W TDP. The Intel Core i5-5675C is a desktop part with 4 cores and 4 threads, dual-channel memory, no ECC, and a 65W TDP. The Opteron targets a different segment entirely. The verdict from the measurements: choose the Opteron for Cinebench-heavy multi-threaded workloads and server-class features; choose the Intel only if the workload aligns with its recorded Geekbench results or if the lower TDP and desktop platform matter more than raw Cinebench scores.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 6281 wins in every category that the head-to-head benchmarks measure. That includes Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both multi-core and single-core variants. The margins are consistent, ranging from 25.8% to 26.1%. This is a clean sweep across all six recorded tests.

The Intel Core i5-5675C does not win any head-to-head test in the database. Its wins, if any, would have to come from areas not covered by the comparison. The database does show it has a Geekbench multi-core score of 4159 and a single-core score of 1388, but there is no corresponding Geekbench result for the Opteron, so no direct comparison is possible. The Intel part also has an integrated GPU (Iris Pro Graphics 6200), a feature the Opteron lacks entirely. For workloads that leverage the iGPU, the Intel part has a capability the AMD server chip does not offer.

In terms of platform attributes, the Opteron supports ECC memory and quad-channel bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Intel part is non-ECC and dual-channel at 25.6 GB/s. The Opteron uses PCIe Gen 2, the Intel uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes. The Intel part has an unlocked multiplier; the Opteron does not. These are not benchmark wins, but they define which workloads each part can serve. The Opteron is built for memory-heavy, error-tolerant server tasks. The Intel part targets desktop use with integrated graphics and overclocking headroom.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The AMD Opteron 6281 scores 873, while the Intel Core i5-5675C scores 693. The Opteron leads by 26%.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-5675C win any head-to-head benchmark against the AMD Opteron 6281?

A: No. Across all six recorded tests (Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both multi-core and single-core), the Opteron wins every one, with deltas between 25.8% and 26.1%.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor in the database?

A: The Opteron 6281 has an average score of 1789, and the Core i5-5675C has an average score of 1759. The Opteron is 1.7% higher.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-5675C have any benchmark results that the AMD Opteron 6281 does not?

A: Yes, the Intel part has Geekbench multi-core (4159) and single-core (1388) results. The Opteron has no Geekbench results in the database.

Q: What memory features does each processor support?

A: The Opteron 6281 supports ECC memory with quad-channel bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Core i5-5675C does not support ECC and has dual-channel bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs?

A: The Opteron 6281 is at the 42nd percentile, and the Core i5-5675C is at the 41st percentile. The difference is one percentile point.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Opteron 6281 is built on the Bulldozer architecture, codenamed Interlagos, using a 32 nm process from GlobalFoundries. It packs 16 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The die consists of two 315 mm² chips, totaling 2,400 million transistors. Cache is organized as 768 KB of L1, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 8 MB of L3 per die. The socket is AMD Socket G34, and the TDP is 130W. Memory support is DDR3 in quad-channel configuration with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, and ECC is enabled. PCIe is Gen 2. It has no integrated graphics. The part number is OS6278WKTGGGU, and it launched with an MSRP of $988.

The Intel Core i5-5675C is built on the Broadwell architecture, codenamed Broadwell, using a 14 nm process from Intel. It has 4 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The die size is 182 mm², and the transistor count is not listed in the database. Cache is 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The socket is Intel Socket 1150, and the TDP is 65W. Memory support is DDR3 in dual-channel configuration with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, and ECC is not supported. PCIe is Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes. It includes Iris Pro Graphics 6200 as integrated graphics. The multiplier is unlocked, and the part number is SR2B6SR2FX. It launched with an MSRP of $276.

The architectural contrast is stark. The Opteron uses a high-core-count, multi-die server design with ECC and quad-channel memory, targeting reliability and throughput. The Intel part uses a low-core-count, single-die desktop design with integrated graphics and an unlocked multiplier, targeting responsiveness and overclocking. The process node difference (32 nm versus 14 nm) explains the TDP gap: 130W versus 65W. The Opteron's transistor count (2,400 million) is far higher, but it is spread across two dies. The Intel part has a smaller die (182 mm²) and no listed transistor count. The memory bandwidth difference is exactly 2x (51.2 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s), matching the channel count difference. The PCIe generation difference (Gen 2 versus Gen 3) also separates the platforms. Neither part supports 3D V-Cache, as that field is null for both.

The release dates differ by roughly three years: the Opteron launched in April 2012, the Intel in May 2015. The Opteron is marked as end-of-life, while the Intel part is listed as active. The market segments are separate: server/workstation for AMD, desktop for Intel. These are not interchangeable parts. The benchmark results show the Opteron ahead in Cinebench, but the platform features define their intended roles. The Opteron is a server chip with ECC and high memory bandwidth; the Intel is a desktop chip with integrated graphics and overclocking. The data supports the Opteron for Cinebench workloads, but the architecture differences dictate where each belongs.