AMD Opteron 4274 HE

The AMD Opteron 4274 HE is an 8-core, 8-thread server processor built on the Bulldozer architecture with a 2.50 GHz base clock and 3.50 GHz boost clock. It uses the AMD Socket C32 platform, supports DDR3 memory with ECC, and was released in November 2011 as a Server/Workstation part at a launch MSRP of $377. Benchmark results place it at the 38th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 1,420. Its nearest rivals are separated by decimal-point margins, making this processor a tightly grouped performer within its own performance class rather than a standout at either end of the scale.

Benchmark Performance

The Opteron 4274 HE produces an average benchmark score of 1,420, which places it at the 38th percentile in the database. That position indicates a below-median overall standing, but the nearest rival scores show how narrow the competitive gap is around that mark.

In Cinebench R15, the processor scores 494 in multi-core and 69 in single-core. The Cinebench R20 run shows 2,061 multi-core and 291 single-core, while Cinebench R23 records 4,909 multi-core and 693 single-core. These scores follow a consistent pattern: the multi-threaded results are much larger than the single-threaded results, reflecting a design aimed at parallel server workloads rather than single-thread responsiveness.

Against its nearest rivals, the average benchmark scores are almost identical. The Intel Core i7-3820 averages 1,422, putting the Opteron 0.1% behind. The Intel Xeon Bronze 3106 averages 1,423, a 0.2% deficit. The Intel Core i7-2700K averages 1,424, a 0.3% gap. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 averages 1,415, and the Opteron leads that part by 0.4%. In practical terms, the data shows a four-way performance cluster where the Opteron sits within a few tenths of a percent of each rival, and the small deltas are unlikely to separate real-world workloads.

The Cinebench multi-core scores are the processor’s strongest showing. The R23 multi-core result of 4,909 is the highest benchmark figure attached to this chip, and the R20 score of 2,061 confirms that the 8-core design scales well in threaded rendering workloads. The single-core scores, by contrast, are modest: 693 in R23 and 291 in R20. These figures explain why the processor does not climb higher in the overall percentile ranking, as many tasks in the broader benchmark suite benefit heavily from per-core speed.

Power and Thermals

The Opteron 4274 HE carries a 65W TDP, placing it in a low-power class for an 8-core server processor. It is built on GlobalFoundries’ 32 nm process with 1,200 million transistors on a 315 mm² die. The combination of a 65W TDP and a 2.50 GHz base clock indicates that the processor is tuned for efficiency rather than maximum throughput.

For cooling, this TDP class implies a modest thermal solution. The processor does not require the heavy cooling infrastructure associated with high-power server parts. A standard server heatsink with adequate chassis airflow should be sufficient. The boost clock of 3.50 GHz will increase heat output under load, but the 65W ceiling keeps the overall cooling tier within the range of conventional server enclosures. The architecture and process node are older, yet the low TDP remains the defining thermal characteristic for platform planning.

How It Compares

The Intel Core i7-3820 is the closest rival. The Opteron trails it by 0.1% in average benchmark score, with 1,420 versus 1,422. This is effectively a tie, and benchmark results indicate that neither processor holds a meaningful performance advantage over the other in aggregate workloads.

The Intel Xeon Bronze 3106 is a slightly stronger rival. It averages 1,423, leaving the Opteron 0.2% behind. The workload profile may differ given the Xeon’s server positioning, but the average score places both processors in the same performance tier.

The Intel Core i7-2700K averages 1,424, making it the highest-scoring rival in this group. The Opteron sits 0.3% lower. This is a narrow margin, and the practical difference in threaded applications is likely minimal.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 is the only rival the Opteron leads. The R2314 averages 1,415, and the Opteron’s 1,420 average is 0.4% higher. The delta is small, but it gives the Opteron a positive comparison among its nearest neighbors.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the AMD Opteron 4274 HE use?

A: It uses the AMD Socket C32 platform.

Q: Does the Opteron 4274 HE support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory support is listed, and the memory bus is DDR3 dual-channel with 25.6 GB/s of bandwidth.

Q: How many cores and threads does the processor have?

A: It has 8 cores and 8 threads, meaning there is no additional thread count per core.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked?

A: No, the multiplier is locked; it is not an unlocked part.

Q: Is this processor still in production?

A: No, the production status is end-of-life.

Q: Does it have integrated graphics?

A: No integrated graphics are listed for this processor.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The benchmark data shows a clear split between multi-thread and single-thread performance. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score is 4,909, while the single-core score is 693. The R20 results follow the same direction: 2,061 multi-core versus 291 single-core. In R15, the multi-core result is 494 and the single-core result is 69.

The multi-core scores are the processor’s main strength. With 8 physical cores and 8 threads, the Opteron can engage all cores simultaneously in parallel workloads. The Cinebench multi-core numbers indicate that the processor scales reasonably across its 8-core design, producing far larger results when all cores are active.

The single-core scores are much lower. The R23 single-core score of 693 and R20 single-core score of 291 show that individual Bulldozer cores are not competitive in per-thread throughput. Workloads that depend heavily on one or two threads will not benefit from the processor’s core count. For real applications, this means the Opteron is best suited to highly threaded server tasks such as rendering, database processing, or virtualization, rather than fast interactive single-threaded work. The gap between multi-core and single-core scores is consistent across all three Cinebench versions, confirming that the processor’s behavior is stable across benchmark generations.

Platform and Compatibility

The Opteron 4274 HE is built for the AMD Socket C32 platform. Memory support is DDR3 with a dual-channel bus and 25.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth. ECC memory is supported, which makes the platform suitable for server environments where data integrity matters. PCIe support is Gen 2, which is a generation behind modern systems but appropriate for the processor’s 2011 release period.

The market segment is Server/Workstation, and there is no integrated graphics listed. A discrete graphics adapter or a server board with onboard management graphics would be necessary for display output. The processor belongs to the Opteron Valencia generation, and its production status is end-of-life. That means the platform is no longer an active target for new system development, and the upgrade path is limited to the existing Socket C32 infrastructure already in the field. The 65W TDP and DDR3 ECC memory support make it a qualified option for legacy server maintenance or refresh projects rather than new high-performance builds.

Who Should Consider It

The Opteron 4274 HE is suited for applications that can use 8 cores and need ECC memory support on a low-power server platform. The 65W TDP makes it a reasonable choice for density-conscious server deployments where thermal headroom is limited. Its multi-core Cinebench scores, particularly the R23 result of 4,909, show that threaded workloads such as rendering and batch processing will perform far better than single-threaded tasks.

Users running lightly threaded office applications should not expect high responsiveness. The single-core score of 693 in Cinebench R23 is low, meaning the processor will feel slower in applications that rely on one or two cores. Gaming is also a poor fit, as the low single-thread performance and absence of integrated graphics make it a questionable choice for interactive consumer workloads.

For creation workloads, the multi-core scores provide enough parallel throughput for threaded rendering tasks, but the overall average benchmark score of 1,420 and 38th percentile placement indicate that it is not a high-end creator chip. It is better viewed as a capable low-power server processor for existing Socket C32 systems with DDR3 ECC memory, where its thermal efficiency and 8-core configuration can still be put to work.