AMD Opteron 6282 SE vs Intel Core i5-4690S Comparison

The AMD Opteron 6282 SE and Intel Core i5-4690S represent two radically different approaches to computing, separated by nearly three years and distinct market philosophies. The Opteron is a 16-core server behemoth built for throughput, while the i5-4690S is a 4-core desktop processor designed for efficiency. Benchmark data from the FACT PACK shows the Opteron winning all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, with margins ranging from 17.6% to 18.5%. However, the average benchmark scores tell a closer story, with the Opteron at 1569 and the i5 at 1551, placing both in the 39th percentile of all CPUs. This divergence between raw multi-core wins and overall averages underscores that the choice between these two hinges entirely on workload type.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 6282 SE is the clear winner in multi-threaded rendering workloads. Across all three Cinebench versions—R15, R20, and R23—the Opteron dominates the multi-core tests. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 5427 stands 17.7% above the i5-4690S's 4609. Similarly, in Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Opteron's 2279 beats the i5's 1935 by 17.8%. These are not marginal victories; they represent a consistent, substantial advantage in tasks that scale with core count. The Opteron's 16 cores and 16 threads are the primary drivers here, allowing it to process more parallel work streams than the i5's 4 cores and 4 threads.

Surprisingly, the Opteron also wins in single-core performance according to the head-to-head data. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 766 is 17.8% higher than the i5's 650. This is counterintuitive given the i5's higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz compared to the Opteron's 3.30 GHz, but the benchmark results are unambiguous. The Opteron wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 77 versus 65 (an 18.5% margin) and Cinebench R20 single-core with 321 versus 273 (a 17.6% margin). Therefore, the Opteron takes the win in every benchmark category listed, making it the superior choice for both multi-core and single-core Cinebench workloads.

The Intel Core i5-4690S, while losing all six head-to-head tests, still holds relevance in its market segment. Its average benchmark score of 1551 places it within 0.6% of the AMD Opteron 6276 and 0.2% of the Intel Core i7-4760HQ. The i5's strength lies in its efficiency: a 65W TDP compared to the Opteron's 140W. This makes it a better fit for desktop environments where power consumption and heat dissipation are primary concerns, even if its raw rendering performance lags behind the server-grade Opteron.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is vast. The Opteron 6282 SE is built on AMD's Bulldozer architecture, codenamed Interlagos, using a 32 nm process node. It features 16 cores and 16 threads on the AMD Socket G34 platform. The chip contains 2,400 million transistors across a dual-die design measuring 2x 315 mm². Its cache hierarchy is modular: 768 KB of L1 cache, 2 MB of L2 cache per module, and 8 MB of L3 cache per die. This design is optimized for server workloads that demand massive parallel throughput.

In contrast, the i5-4690S uses Intel's Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process node. It has 4 cores and 4 threads on the Intel Socket 1150 platform. The chip packs 1,400 million transistors into a single 177 mm² die. Cache is organized per-core: 64 KB of L1, 256 KB of L2, and a shared 6 MB of L3. This is a monolithic, low-power design intended for desktop use, with integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics—a feature entirely absent from the Opteron.

Memory support further differentiates the two. The Opteron supports DDR3 memory on a quad-channel bus, delivering 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth, and includes ECC memory support for data integrity in server environments. The i5-4690S also supports DDR3 but on a dual-channel bus, halving bandwidth to 25.6 GB/s, and lacks ECC support. The Opteron uses PCIe Gen 2, while the i5 offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Opteron is a server/workstation part, end-of-life, while the i5 is a desktop part. The Opteron's launch MSRP was $1019, and the i5's was $224.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory for the Opteron comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 77 against the i5's 65, a delta of 18.5%. This is the largest percentage margin in any test. The multi-core R15 test shows a 17.7% advantage (546 vs. 464). Moving to R20, the pattern holds: single-core shows a 17.6% lead (321 vs. 273), and multi-core shows a 17.8% lead (2279 vs. 1935). The R23 results mirror this exactly, with single-core at 17.8% (766 vs. 650) and multi-core at 17.7% (5427 vs. 4609).

It is notable that the Opteron's single-core advantage is consistently slightly higher or equal to its multi-core advantage across all three Cinebench versions. In R15, single-core leads by 18.5% while multi-core leads by 17.7%. In R20, single-core leads by 17.6% and multi-core by 17.8%. In R23, single-core leads by 17.8% and multi-core by 17.7%. This suggests that the Opteron's per-core architecture in these specific tests is not a bottleneck, despite its older Bulldozer design. The i5-4690S, despite its higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz, cannot overcome the Opteron's IPC advantage in this benchmark suite.

The i5-4690S does have one benchmark the Opteron lacks: Geekbench. In Geekbench, the i5 scores 3251 in multi-core and 1163 in single-core. Since the Opteron has no Geekbench results in the FACT PACK, no direct comparison is possible. However, the i5's Geekbench multi-core score of 3251 is substantially higher than its Cinebench scores, indicating that it performs better in this particular test. This data point, while not comparative, suggests the i5 has strengths outside the Cinebench suite.

The Verdict

From the data, the AMD Opteron 6282 SE is the unequivocal performance winner. It wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests with margins consistently around 17.7% to 18.5%. For anyone running Cinebench-based rendering workloads—whether single-threaded or multi-threaded—the Opteron delivers superior results. Its 16 cores provide massive parallel throughput, and its benchmark scores indicate a per-core efficiency that rivals or exceeds the newer Intel design. The Opteron's average benchmark score of 1569 is also higher than the i5's 1551, reinforcing its overall performance edge.

The Intel Core i5-4690S is the efficiency winner. Its 65W TDP is less than half the Opteron's 140W, making it suitable for compact desktop builds with modest cooling requirements. Its integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems. The i5 also benefits from a more modern 22 nm process node and PCIe Gen 3 support, offering better connectivity for current peripherals. For users prioritizing power efficiency, desktop form factor, and integrated graphics over raw rendering performance, the i5-4690S is the logical choice.

The data does not support a scenario where the i5 wins on performance. The closest it comes is in the average benchmark score comparison, where it trails by only 18 points (1551 vs. 1569), a 1.2% difference. This brings the i5 within the same performance percentile (39th) as the Opteron, but the head-to-head results are decisive. The Opteron is the pick for server racks and workstation rendering; the i5 is the pick for low-power desktops and office systems.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Opteron 6282 SE has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-4690S has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Opteron scores 5427, which is 17.7% higher than the i5's 4609, making the Opteron the winner in this test.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-4690S have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Intel HD 4600 graphics. The AMD Opteron 6282 SE has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Opteron 6282 SE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-4690S does not support ECC.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Opteron has an average benchmark score of 1569, while the i5 has an average of 1551, a difference of 18 points in favor of the Opteron.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Opteron provides 51.2 GB/s via quad-channel DDR3, while the i5 provides 25.6 GB/s via dual-channel DDR3, exactly half the bandwidth.