AMD Opteron 6281 vs Intel Core i7-4790S Comparison

Intel Core i7-4790S vs AMD Opteron 6281

The recorded benchmark data shows a consistent, if narrow, victory for the AMD Opteron 6281 across every Cinebench iteration, but the story is more nuanced than raw wins suggest. The Intel Core i7-4790S posts a lower average benchmark score of 1827 compared to the Opteron’s 1789, yet both CPUs land at the 42nd percentile among all processors, indicating they occupy the same performance tier. The Opteron’s six-win sweep comes with margins that never exceed 4.5%, making this a head-to-head defined by incremental advantages rather than generational leaps. For single-threaded workloads, the gap is razor-thin, while multi-core tests show the Opteron leveraging its additional physical cores to maintain a slight edge. Below, the database breaks down where each processor earns its keep and where the numbers reveal a more balanced contest than the scoreboard implies.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Opteron 6281 wins all six recorded head-to-head Cinebench tests, but the deltas are remarkably consistent and modest. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Opteron scores 623 against the Core i7-4790S’s 595, a 4.5% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows 87 versus 84, a 3.4% lead for AMD. Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern repeats: multi-core sees 2598 against 2482 (4.5% delta), and single-core sees 366 versus 350 (4.4% delta). The most recent Cinebench R23 results mirror this exactly, with the Opteron at 6187 multi-core and 873 single-core, versus the Intel part at 5911 and 834, respectively, both showing a 4.5% delta.

Interpreting these numbers, the Opteron’s wins are systematic but not dominant. A 4.5% multi-core lead suggests the 16-core Bulldozer design provides a real throughput advantage, but the fact that the 4-core, 8-thread Haswell chip stays within that single-digit margin indicates the Core i7-4790S’s higher core efficiency offsets much of the core-count deficit. The single-core deltas are even tighter, with the Opteron leading by 3.4% to 4.5% across tests, a surprising outcome for a server chip from 2012 against a desktop processor from 2014. The database shows no test where the Intel part pulls ahead; winsA equals 0 and winsB equals 6, so the verdict is clean-cut on the scoreboard, but the narrow margins mean users should look at workload specifics before choosing sides.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear but narrow preference for the AMD Opteron 6281 in every measured benchmark. If the decision rests solely on Cinebench performance, the Opteron is the faster part, delivering 4.5% more multi-core and single-core score in R23, the most demanding test in the set. However, the Intel Core i7-4790S posts a higher average benchmark score (1827 versus 1789) and matches the Opteron’s 42nd percentile ranking, indicating that the overall database picture treats them as equivalent performers. The Opteron’s wins are real, but they are not the kind of landslide that would force a recommendation for every use case.

For users prioritizing raw multi-threaded throughput in rendering or batch workloads, the Opteron’s consistent 4.5% edge in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests makes it the data-backed choice. Its 16 cores and 16 threads provide a parallel-processing foundation that the 4-core, 8-thread Intel chip cannot match, even with the latter’s superior per-core efficiency. Conversely, the Core i7-4790S holds its own in single-core tests, trailing by only 3.4% to 4.5%, and offers a lower 65W TDP alongside integrated graphics, which the Opteron lacks entirely. For a desktop user who needs occasional rendering but also values power efficiency and a self-contained graphics solution, the Intel part is the sensible pick from the recorded specifications alone.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmark tests in the database?

A: The AMD Opteron 6281 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, covering R15, R20, and R23 in both multi-core and single-core modes. The Intel Core i7-4790S records zero wins in this comparison.

Q: How large is the performance gap in the most demanding multi-core test?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD Opteron 6281 scores 6187 against the Intel Core i7-4790S’s 5911, a 4.5% difference. The same 4.5% delta appears in both R15 and R20 multi-core tests.

Q: Do the two CPUs have similar overall benchmark standings?

A: Yes. The Intel Core i7-4790S has an average benchmark score of 1827 and sits at the 42nd percentile, while the AMD Opteron 6281 averages 1789 and also sits at the 42nd percentile. Their nearest rivals include processors like the Intel Xeon D-1537 and AMD Ryzen 3 3200GE, all within a 0.7% delta.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-4790S have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel part includes Intel HD 4600 graphics. The AMD Opteron 6281 has no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is mandatory for any display output.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Opteron 6281 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-4790S does not. This makes the Opteron more suitable for error-sensitive server or workstation tasks.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The AMD Opteron 6281 offers a quad-channel memory bus with a theoretical bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Intel Core i7-4790S uses a dual-channel bus, providing 25.6 GB/s, exactly half the Opteron’s figure.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every core specification. The Intel Core i7-4790S has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Opteron 6281 has 16 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks differ at 3.20 GHz for Intel versus 2.50 GHz for AMD, and boost clocks are 4.00 GHz versus 3.20 GHz, respectively. Thermal design power shows a stark contrast: the Intel chip is rated at 65W, the AMD chip at 130W. The socket types are incompatible, with Intel using Socket 1150 and AMD using Socket G34.

Memory support also diverges. The Intel part supports DDR3 over a dual-channel bus at 25.6 GB/s and does not support ECC. The AMD part supports DDR3 over a quad-channel bus at 51.2 GB/s and does support ECC. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the Intel chip offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD chip offers Gen 2 without a lane count specified. The Intel Core i7-4790S includes Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics; the AMD Opteron 6281 has none. The Intel part’s launch MSRP is $312, while the AMD part’s launch MSRP is $988. The Opteron also has a larger transistor count at 2,400 million versus Intel’s 1,400 million, and a larger die size at 2x 315 mm² versus 177 mm².

Architecture Differences

The architectural split is fundamental. The Intel Core i7-4790S is built on the Haswell architecture, using a 22 nm process at Intel’s foundry, with a die size of 177 mm² and 1,400 million transistors. Its cache layout is per-core: 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, with a shared 8 MB L3. The AMD Opteron 6281 uses the Bulldozer architecture on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries, with a die size of 2x 315 mm² and 2,400 million transistors. Its cache is module-based: 768 KB total L1, 2 MB L2 per module, and 8 MB L3 per die.

The core designs reflect different philosophies. Intel’s 4 cores each run 2 threads via Hyper-Threading, enabling 8 concurrent threads. AMD’s 16 cores run 16 threads without simultaneous multithreading, relying on a higher physical core count. The Bulldozer architecture’s module system pairs cores to share certain resources, which explains the larger L1 and module-based L2 allocations. The Intel chip’s boost clock of 4.00 GHz is significantly higher than the Opteron’s 3.20 GHz, and its TDP is less than half, indicating a more power-efficient design. The Opteron’s server pedigree shows in its quad-channel memory and ECC support, while the Intel part’s desktop orientation is evident from its integrated graphics and Gen 3 PCIe.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 6281 wins in every recorded Cinebench test, so any benchmark-driven decision points to AMD for both multi-core and single-core workloads. Its 4.5% multi-core advantage across R15, R20, and R23 makes it the stronger choice for rendering, video encoding, or any parallel compute task where the database’s Cinebench scores are representative. The Opteron’s 16 physical cores provide a wider execution width, and its 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth supports data-heavy server workloads. Its ECC memory support further cements its role for long-running, error-sensitive processes in workstation or server environments.

The Intel Core i7-4790S finds its wins outside the benchmark scoreboard. It matches the Opteron’s overall percentile ranking and posts a higher average benchmark score, indicating that its efficiency compensates for the raw core deficit. Its 65W TDP makes it suitable for compact desktop builds where heat and power are constraints. The integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU, a clear advantage for basic desktop use. Its higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz and per-core cache design suggest it would excel in lightly threaded applications, even though the single-core Cinebench results show a slight Opteron lead. For a desktop user who values low power consumption, integrated graphics, and a lower launch MSRP of $312 versus $988, the Core i7-4790S is the practical choice, despite losing every head-to-head benchmark.