AMD Opteron 6282 SE vs Intel Core i5-6600T Comparison

The AMD Opteron 6282 SE and Intel Core i5-6600T represent two entirely different eras of processor design, yet they land within 0.4% of each other in average benchmark score. The Opteron, a 16-core server part from the Bulldozer generation, posts an average score of 1569, while the 4-core Skylake desktop chip averages 1563. Both sit at the 39th percentile of all CPUs, indicating they occupy similar overall performance tiers despite radically different architectures.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is striking in its uniformity: the AMD Opteron 6282 SE wins all six recorded benchmark comparisons, with every victory falling between 14.2% and 14.9%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Opteron scores 546 against the Intel’s 478, a 14.2% advantage. The single-core R15 result shows a similar gap, with the Opteron at 77 and the i5-6600T at 67, a 14.9% lead. This pattern continues through R20 and R23, where the Opteron leads by 14.4% and 14.5% in multi-core, and 14.6% and 14.5% in single-core, respectively.

The consistency of these margins suggests a systematic advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. Across Cinebench’s various revisions, the Opteron’s lead never dips below 14.2% or rises above 14.9%. For context, the i5-6600T’s nearest rival, the Intel Core i3-8300, averages 1564, which is 0.1% higher than the i5’s 1563. The Opteron’s nearest rival, the same i3-8300, scores 1564, just 0.3% below the Opteron’s 1569. This means the two CPUs in question are effectively tied in overall average performance, yet the Opteron wins every individual benchmark in the head-to-head set.

The single-core results are particularly noteworthy given the architectural assumptions. One might expect a modern 14nm Skylake core with a 3.50 GHz boost clock to outpace a 32nm Bulldozer core clocked at 3.30 GHz. The data shows otherwise: the Opteron scores 77 in R15 single-core versus 67 for the i5, a 14.9% margin. In R20 single-core, the Opteron’s 321 beats the Intel’s 280 by 14.6%. These results indicate that the Opteron’s per-thread performance, while not class-leading, holds up well against this particular low-power Skylake part.

Architecture Differences

The Opteron 6282 SE is built on AMD’s Bulldozer architecture, codenamed Interlagos, using a 32nm process with a die size of 2x 315 mm². It packs 2,400 million transistors across two dies. The chip features 16 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. Cache is organized as 768 KB of L1, 2 MB per module of L2, and 8 MB per die of L3. It supports DDR3 memory over a quad-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth and includes ECC memory support. The Opteron uses AMD Socket G34 and provides PCIe Gen 2 connectivity. This is a server and workstation part, released in November 2011, and it is now end-of-life.

The Intel Core i5-6600T uses the Skylake architecture on a 14nm process with a die size of 177 mm². It has 4 cores and 4 threads, running at a 2.70 GHz base clock and 3.50 GHz boost clock. Cache consists of 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. It supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory over a dual-channel bus, with 34.1 GB/s of bandwidth, and does not support ECC. The i5-6600T fits Intel Socket 1151 and offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. It includes integrated UHD Graphics 530, a desktop part released in July 2015, and is also end-of-life.

The process node difference is significant: 32nm versus 14nm. The transistor count for the Intel chip is not listed, but the die size difference is substantial, with the Opteron using two 315 mm² dies compared to the Intel’s single 177 mm² die. Memory architecture diverges sharply as well, with the Opteron offering quad-channel DDR3 at 51.2 GB/s versus the i5’s dual-channel DDR3/DDR4 at 34.1 GB/s. The Opteron’s ECC support is critical for server workloads, while the i5’s integrated graphics are absent on the AMD part.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Opteron 6282 SE has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-6600T has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: How do their memory bandwidths compare?

A: The Opteron 6282 SE supports quad-channel DDR3 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The i5-6600T supports dual-channel DDR3 or DDR4 with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-6600T includes UHD Graphics 530. The AMD Opteron 6282 SE has no integrated graphics listed.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Opteron 6282 SE has a TDP of 140 watts, while the i5-6600T has a TDP of 35 watts.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Opteron 6282 SE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-6600T does not support ECC.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Opteron 6282 SE averages 1569, and the i5-6600T averages 1563, a difference of 0.4% in favor of the Opteron.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field. The Opteron 6282 SE uses 16 cores and 16 threads; the i5-6600T uses 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 2.60 GHz for the AMD and 2.70 GHz for the Intel, while boost clocks are 3.30 GHz and 3.50 GHz, respectively. TDP is 140 watts for the Opteron versus 35 watts for the i5. The socket types are AMD Socket G34 and Intel Socket 1151.

The architectures are Bulldozer (codename Interlagos) versus Skylake. Process nodes are 32nm versus 14nm. The Opteron’s die size is 2x 315 mm² with 2,400 million transistors; the i5’s die size is 177 mm² with no transistor count listed. Cache configurations differ: the Opteron has 768 KB L1, 2 MB per module L2, and 8 MB per die L3; the i5 has 64 KB per core L1, 256 KB per core L2, and 6 MB shared L3.

Memory support shows the Opteron with DDR3 only and quad-channel bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the i5 supports DDR3 and DDR4 with dual-channel bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. ECC is present on the Opteron but absent on the i5. PCIe generation differs: Gen 2 for the Opteron versus Gen 3 with 16 lanes for the i5. The i5 has integrated UHD Graphics 530; the Opteron has none. Market segments are Server/Workstation for the AMD and Desktop for the Intel. The Opteron’s part number is OS6282YETGGGU; the i5’s is SR2L9. The Opteron’s launch MSRP was $1019; the i5’s was $213.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 6282 SE wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, covering Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core tests. Its victories range from 14.2% to 14.9%. The Opteron’s strengths lie in raw multi-threaded throughput, where its 16 cores provide a substantial core-count advantage, and in memory bandwidth, with 51.2 GB/s versus the i5’s 34.1 GB/s. ECC memory support makes it suitable for error-sensitive server or workstation tasks. Its higher TDP of 140 watts indicates a design focused on sustained performance rather than efficiency.

The Intel Core i5-6600T, despite losing every head-to-head benchmark, has clear advantages in other areas. Its 35-watt TDP is one-quarter of the Opteron’s, making it far more power-efficient. The integrated UHD Graphics 530 provides display output without a separate GPU. The i5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, offering platform flexibility. PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes provides faster I/O connectivity than the Opteron’s Gen 2. The i5’s smaller 14nm process and 177 mm² die size suggest a more modern, compact design.

For workloads that benefit from high core counts and memory bandwidth, such as multi-threaded rendering or server virtualization, the Opteron’s 16 cores and quad-channel memory make it the better choice despite losing on efficiency. For energy-sensitive desktop tasks, the i5’s low power draw and integrated graphics make it more practical. The i5 also wins on platform modernity, with newer PCIe and memory options.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear split: the AMD Opteron 6282 SE outperforms the Intel Core i5-6600T in every measured Cinebench test, with margins between 14.2% and 14.9%. The Opteron’s average score of 1569 is 0.4% higher than the i5’s 1563, placing both at the 39th percentile of all CPUs. The Opteron’s nearest rival is the Intel Core i3-8300 at 1564, a 0.3% difference, while the i5’s nearest rival is the same i3-8300 at 1564, a 0.1% difference.

The buyer should choose based on workload and platform constraints, not raw benchmark wins. The Opteron 6282 SE is the pick for multi-threaded server or workstation tasks where its 16 cores, 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth, and ECC support matter more than power consumption. Its 140-watt TDP and older 32nm process are acceptable trade-offs for that role. The i5-6600T is the pick for desktop use where the 35-watt TDP, integrated graphics, and modern platform features like PCIe Gen 3 and DDR4 support are valuable. Its 4 cores handle lighter workloads adequately, even if it trails the Opteron in every Cinebench test.

Data indicates the Opteron is the superior performer in CPU-bound benchmarks. The i5 is the superior choice for efficiency and platform integration. Neither processor holds a commanding overall lead, given their 0.4% average score difference, but their design philosophies could not be more different. The Opteron throws cores and bandwidth at the problem; the i5 emphasizes power economy and modern connectivity. Pick the Opteron for raw compute, the i5 for anything else.